Education
Environment
Funding
Government
National youth service
Katimavik receives the largest part of its funding from the federal government through the Department of Canadian Heritage. The organization is pursuing initiatives to diversify its funding, and also hopes to extend the scope of its program through new partnerships.
Education
Katimavik’s mission is to educate youth through volunteer service. Partnerships with educational institutions are a natural alliance for our organization.
Agreement with Capilano University in North Vancouver, British Columbia
Katimavik, signed a partnership in early 2005 with Capilano University whereby university credits will be awarded to Katimavik program volunteers. Volunteers who complete the program and sign up for Capilano University’s Global Stewardship program are eligible to receive three credits within this program. The agreement applies to all past Katimavik volunteers.
“We are happy that Capilano University recognizes the educational value of the program,” said Jean-Guy Bigeau, Executive Director of Katimavik. “I believe that Katimavik is a good match with the Global Stewardship program, which helps youth gain the necessary skills and knowledge to work for a non-governmental organization. The content of the Global Stewardship program goes along with our mission to foster the development of young Canadians through training, group interaction and volunteer work in communities.”
To receive these credits, you must apply to Capilano University online or fill out the application form and send it by mail to the college, or drop it off in person. Along with the application form, please send:
- The letter you received at the end of the program confirming your participation (original only, it will be returned to you once your registration is processed).
- Your most recent official academic transcripts from the high school and, if applicable, post-secondary institution that you have attended.
- A cheque or money order of $25 payable to Capilano University for the registration fee.
If you would like to transfer these credits to another college or CEGEP, please check with the registrar of the other establishment to ensure that the Capilano University credits are transferable.
Agreement with Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo, British Columbia
In June 2004, Katimavik signed an agreement with Vancouver Island University to award university credits to Katimavik volunteers.
Volunteers who completed the program starting in the 2002-2003 program year and afterwards are eligible to receive three academic credits in the area of Recreation Management by applying to Vancouver Island University.
These credits can be used for general electives within a program of study at Vancouver Island University or may be transferred to a program of study at another college or university.*
To receive the credits, you must fill out this registration form in full and mail it to Vancouver Island University along with:
- The letter you received at the end of the program confirming your participation (original only, it will be returned to you once your registration is processed).
- Your most recent official academic transcripts from the high school and, if applicable, post-secondary institution that you have attended.
- A cheque or money order of $30 payable to Vancouver Island University for the registration fee.
If you are using these credits for a program of study at Vancouver Island University, please specify on the form which program you are in. They can be used for any degree or diploma that requires unspecified electives. If you do not wish to study at Vancouver Island University, please write “unclassified studies” as your program choice. If you wish to transfer the credits towards your degree or diploma at another college or university, you must contact the registrar or admissions office at that specific school. Be sure to inquire about their transfer procedure once you have received confirmation of your registration at Vancouver Island University.
*Acceptance of Vancouver Island University credits for transfer varies from one school to another. Please check with your school’s Registrar or Admissions office for more details.
Agreement with Cégep Marie-Victorin in Montréal, Québec
Cégep Marie-Victorin is teaming up with the Katimavik organization’s educational program to form a pedagogical partnership. Through this collaboration, the Cégep Marie-Victorin will take on volunteers’ learning development. The college-level pedagogy will be applied through directed assignments: structured activities, guided lectures and skill recognition.
In keeping with the Katimavik program’s mission to provide volunteers with a unique and informal learning experience, Cégep Marie-Victorin is now offering volunteers from Québec (Francophones and Anglophones) the opportunity to take officially recognized college-level courses during the program. These courses, part of the Humanities and Social Sciences program, will take place during the volunteers’ volunteer-service project with community organizations. All courses offered are recognized by the Québec Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports and volunteers will be given credit in the Québec college network.
A team of experienced teachers, who are all familiar with the Katimavik program, have prepared pedagogical material and syllabi appropriate for program volunteers. Guided lectures and evaluation grids are fundamental elements of this program’s methodology. In addition, the learning environment will allow volunteers to apply their social involvement skills to a formal Humanities and Social Sciences education.
Volunteers can complete the equivalent of one semester of full-time studies during their volunteer-service experience with Katimavik.
Admission eligibility
Once you are accepted to the Katimavik program, you can apply for Cégep courses.
For registration and course selection, candidates must submit their academic profile for evaluation. They may contact Dominique Roy at 514 325-0150, ext. 2627 or at the following e-mail address: dominique.roy@collegemv.qc.ca
For more information on registration and recognized courses, please visit the Cégep Marie-Victorin Website.
Agreement with George Brown College in Toronto, Ontario
Katimavik has signed a partnership with George Brown College in Toronto. As of 2010 academic credits will be awarded to volunteers who complete (or are in the process of completing) a six or nine month Katimavik program.
Two types of accreditation will be possible:
Option 1 – Course exemptions in General Education electives
Volunteers who have successfully completed a Katimavik program and plan to complete a program at George Brown College can be exempt from certain courses upon presentation of adequate documentation proving their successful completion of the Katimavik program.
**A signed consent form allowing George Brown College staff to contact Katimavik for verification purposes must also be submitted.
- Volunteers who complete a six month program are eligible for exemption from two 3- credit courses, one in Humanities and one in Social Sciences.
- Volunteers who complete a nine month program are eligible for exemption from three 3-credit courses, one in Humanities and two in Social Sciences.
Option 2 – Credits for specific General Education courses
Volunteers who choose this option will complete one or more courses through correspondence while they are participating in the Katimavik program and will be graded on their work. It is advisable to contact George Brown College before beginning the program to confirm the process and obtain the necessary documentation.
These credits can be used for general electives within a program of study at George Brown College. In some cases, they may be also transferred to a program of study at another college. Acceptance of credits for transfer varies from one school to another. Please check with your school’s Registrar for more details.
Admission eligibility
Once you have successfully completed the Katimavik program, you can contact George Brown for course exemptions.
**If you are interested in Option 2, you must contact George Brown College as soon as possible in order to clarify the requirements and obtain documentation.
Katimavik volunteers who intend to take advantage of these opportunities should consult the General Education Coordinator, Katherine Friesen, at kfriesen@georgebrown.ca or at 416 415-5000, ext. 3688.
Environment
Katimavik strives to ensure that at least 30% of its community partner projects are tied to an environmental organization. Which is why Katimavik is negotiating with Parks Canada to become a national environmental partner.
Six national parks across the country are hosting groups of Katimavik volunteers to work on park projects. The volunteers are involved with heritage restoration projects as well important environmental protection projects.
Funding
Ford Canada manages Katimavik’s fleet of vehicles and is one of our loyal partners.
Worldwide, Ford employees help to protect the environment by participating in projects which give back to their communities. Examples of the many projects include:
- Wildlife at Work
- Earth Day
- Trees for Learning
- The Families and Nature Club
- From Plant to Park
- Household Hazardous Waste Collection
- Day at the River
The Port of Montreal provides Katimavik with indirect financial assistance for Katimavik’s office expenses due to a special agreement regarding occupancy of its premises.
Government
The government of Canada, through the Department of Canadian Heritage, is proud to provide financial assistance to Katimavik.
National youth service
The International Association for National Youth Service (IANYS) is concerned with promoting excellence in national youth service around the world and aims to stimulate and facilitate the exchange of information about national youth service, and to help realize the promise of national youth service.
The concept of national youth service is increasingly taking a place alongside education and work as an activity for young people that is constructive in itself and an investment in the future. With forty member countries, including Canada (represented by Jean-Guy Bigeau, executive director of Katimavik), IANYS has held global conferences on national youth service in the United States in 1992, in Nigeria in 1994, Papua New Guinea in 1996, the United Kingdom in 1998, Israel in 2000, Argentina in 2002, and Ghana in 2004.
International Association for National Youth Service (IANYS)
The Global Service Institute is a community of organizations connected via human and technological networks around the globe whose mission is to increase research, promote policy and program development and establish a worldwide information network about service.
The emphasis of the Global Service Institute is on civic service in areas such as the environment, public facilities, education, arts and culture, community development, human services, public safety and disaster relief. Service opportunities occur through both governmental and non-governmental organizations.
