Career Planning
Katimavik: A journey of self discoveryEleven roommates, nine months, three provinces, one life-changing experience, all expenses paid. LINDA WHITE -- Special to the Toronto Sun |
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Katimavik participants from left to right: Katie Fukuda, Courtney Derochie, Lucia Orser, Taiger Harleton, Marie-Anne Turbide, Eliane Voisard-Lafrance, Edward Cockerton, Genevieve Dahan, Jessica Mawhinney, Neil Noseworthy and Gaby Marchildon.
Sounds like a commercial for a new reality series, but it's a promotion for Katimavik, a volunteer service program that has been transforming lives for more than three decades.
A GROWTH EXPERIENCE
"For some people, Katimavik is about travelling and seeing parts of Canada they may not have seen before," says communications and development officer Trina Parsons.
"For others, it's about developing life skills that come with group living, learning how to budget and the responsibility of work ... Some need work experience for their resume and some want to figure out where they want to go in life. A lot grow more than they ever imagined."
Katimavik, which means "meeting place" in Inuktituk, was created in 1977 by the late Senator Jacques Hebert and former prime minister Pierre Trudeau. It's based on the concept of service learning, which integrates personal and professional development through volunteer work for non-profit organizations.
It's open to youth aged 17 to 21 years. "We have a good mix of ages, with some students taking a year off after high school and before university and others taking time off during or at the end of university," Parsons says.
University graduate Courtney Derochie first learned about Katimavik in Grade 7. "I knew then it was something I wanted to do," says the 22-year-old Orillia resident. "My goals were to volunteer and to travel and I got all that and more. I got to discover my country through other people's points of view."
PURSUING HER DREAM
Derochie studied criminology and psychology at Carleton University in Ottawa and will pursue her dream of becoming a primary school teacher at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay this fall. She returned home from Katimavik in June after completing placements in Ontario, Quebec and Manitoba.
Her first placement was in Ingersoll, near London, where she worked at a seniors' activity centre. Derochie's responsibilities included administrative duties and participating in seniors' activities. Katimavik excursions included a visit to EcoHouse in Hamilton and a costume warehouse in Stratford.
The next stop on her journey was Montreal, where she volunteered at a community resource centre. "We worked primarily with new Canadians," Derochie says.
"The money made from the thrift store went towards free English or French classes, computer classes and daycare," she says.
"Not everyone spoke English or French and my French wasn't that great when I began, but you find a way to communicate."
The final stop on her nine-month journey was Stonewall, Manitoba, where she volunteered at a high school. In addition to preparation support for teachers, she tutored at-risk students.
"You get to make the Katimavik experience yours," Derochie says. "Some of my experiences took me out of my comfort zone, which forced me to look at things with fresh eyes."
JOB-READY SKILLS
Katimavik is designed to help young people develop job-ready skills. "It has got something for everyone, whether you want to work, learn or meet new people. I've got contacts all across the country," Derochie says. "Some people worry about taking nine months away from school or careers, but it's only a blip. It makes you more prepared for work or school."
Katimavik is a national youth volunteer service program for Canadians aged 17 to 21 years old. Participants live in groups of 11 people from across the country and work as volunteers 35 hours a week for non-profit organizations in three different communities from coast to coast.
In addition to volunteer work, participants choose from five learning programs: leadership, official languages, cultural discovery, environmental and healthy lifestyle. Applications are accepted year-round. Visit www.katimavik.org to learn more.
linda.white@rogers.com
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