Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/1519806
V olunteer Manitoba (VM) is the volunteer hub for the province of Manitoba, connecting people with volunteer opportunities and supporting the non-profit sector in volunteer recruitment efforts. Volunteering came to a virtual standstill during the pandemic, and many organizations are slowly rebuilding their base. Circumstances have changed over the past several years, and Volunteer Manitoba is adapting and answering the call to match eager change-makers with the many opportunities available. Volunteermanitoba.ca is a dynamic resource for volunteer listings that sees significant monthly traffic. The organization also facilitates volunteer recruitment through community events and outreach across the province year-round. Presentations to community groups, post-secondary institutions, and high schools highlight the benefits of volunteerism, encourage people to get involved, and support them with guidance and options. "Our youth program is intertwined with our outreach because we engage a lot with high school and middle school students," explains executive director Ashley Seymour. "We try to share the value and the benefits of volunteerism with those folks at a young age and the importance of getting involved in their community. The younger generation is genuinely interested in having an impact on a specific community, so they are more interested in getting engaged if they can see a direct impact as a result of the time they've given." Seymour says that across Canada, approximately 60% of organizations still need to catch up to their pre-pandemic volunteer levels and continue to struggle. The demographic that historically was the most giving of their time was older adults, retirees, and seniors, but that group has been slow to return to their previous habits. She's also noticed that people value their time differently and are likelier to give an hour or two instead of committing to longer volunteer shifts. "There's certainly a need to reengage and recruit volunteers. We're not where we would like to be here in Manitoba. We're starting to see a slight improvement, but Volunteer Manitoba has undertaken a few initiatives to support the sector's recovery." BUILDING COMMUNITY-SUPPORTING RELATIONSHIPS One Hour at a Time BY KRISTIN MARAND VOLUNTEER MANITOBA "Our youth program is intertwined with our outreach because we engage a lot with high school and middle school students." — Ashley Seymour, executive director of Volunteer Manitoba. Submitted photo 10 Manitoba