At the heart of Pebbles to Pearls, our program for junior youth, is the animator, usually an older youth who recently transitioned this stage of life and has a desire to make a meaningful commitment to helping their younger peers. Engaging junior youth in a program that seeks to enhance their capacities and participate actively in the affairs of their communities is a significant and challenging act of service, yet one that is highly rewarding.
Animators help the members of a junior youth group to study texts aimed at assisting with literacy and critical thinking. They work to create an environment of love, respect and support in which the participants can ask questions, express their views and doubts, and engage in the investigation of reality. They help the participants analyze their community and arise to serve it in meaningful ways, for example by assisting younger children with homework. Most groups have two or three animators and meet one to two times a week.
Requirements
Animators are at least 16 years old, meet standard volunteering requirements, and are able and willing to volunteer one or two days a week for about two hours, usually after school in the late afternoon or early evening. We generally look for a minimum commitment of one year in order to ensure continuality of the junior youth groups. In addition, volunteers are required to complete an initial training course that is about one week in duration.
There is no cost for the training or materials.
If you are interested in serving in this capacity, please follow the link below to download an application form. Questions or completed forms can be sent to hoda@wordswell.ca or phone 416-554-9028.
Next Training Opportunity!
Wordswell is now accepting new applications for its summer 2009 training session running from July 27 to August 3, 2009. Application deadline is 30 June 2009. Please send completed forms to hoda@wordswell.ca
Download Junior Youth Animator Application Form