Kids Help Phone – National Youth Council (Join the 2024 National Youth Council at Kids Help Phone! (Virtual Opportunity))

Organization Name: Kids Help Phone – National Youth Council
Opportunity Title: Join the 2024 National Youth Council at Kids Help Phone! (Virtual Opportunity)
Category: Children & Youth
Commitment: Ongoing Opportunity (> 1 year)
Start Date: November 2, 2023
End Date: December 31, 2024

Email: youthengagement@kidshelpphone.ca
Website: https://kidshelpphone.ca/opportunities/national-youth-council/
Details:

• Appropriate for youth (i.e., less than 18)

Opportunity Description:

Empowering. Caring. Fun. Impactful. Healing. Flexible. Rewarding. Creative. Inspiring. Hopeful. Collaborative. Transformative. — National Youth Council members on their experiences at Kids Help Phone

The National Youth Council (NYC) at Kids Help Phone is a group of youth ages 14–24 from across Canada who are passionate about mental health and well-being. The NYC works as a whole to help integrate a youth voice into numerous areas of Kids Help Phone and to help influence decision-making, strategy and delivery of activities organization-wide.

The council meets monthly (virtually) to share ideas and communicates regularly to collaborate on projects that affect Kids Help Phone’s organizational activities. Through committees and with support from staff at Kids Help Phone, council members play a key role in raising awareness of e-mental health support options for young people and helping to develop Kids Help Phone’s programs and services.

Your voice matters — young people in Canada can apply today to join this group of energetic, courageous and innovative youth who are working to help transform the e-mental health landscape across Canada.

We’re committed to providing an inclusive space for youth. No previous experience on a council is required to apply to the NYC at Kids Help Phone.

NYC member role description

Commitment

• participation from January 2024 until December 2024 (council members are eligible to serve for a two-year term)
• participation in one virtual council meeting (two hours) every month
• participation in two to six additional hours a month for project work and virtual collaboration, including active participation in one or more committees (there are three committees in the council)

Typical roles and responsibilities

• participate in monthly virtual NYC meetings (with optional summer activities as determined by the council from June 2024 to August 2024)
• support the development of youth-facing content and other innovations for young people
• work collaboratively with other NYC members and staff at Kids Help Phone to brainstorm, develop and lead organizational projects
• participate in at least one committee to develop and complete specific projects (one or two main projects per term)
• provide insight and recommendations on opportunities for youth engagement, as well as emerging trends affecting young people
• encourage and support other council members, foster the mutual exchange of ideas and positively contribute to a team environment
• communicate openly with the staff lead(s) at Kids Help Phone on availability, project progress and overall experience

Qualifications

• residing in Canada for the duration of the term
• legally eligible to participate in volunteer opportunities in Canada
• ideally be 14–24 years old during the term
• passionate about youth mental health and well-being
• committed to collaborative teamwork with a willingness to take initiative
• strong communication skills, particularly in a virtual environment
• must represent and live Kids Help Phone’s values (courageous, collaborative, innovative, resilient and trustworthy)

Potential benefits

• work with a highly motivated team
• make a difference in your community by helping to support youth across Canada
• gain leadership experience
• explore training, mentorship and skill-development opportunities with staff at Kids Help Phone
• earn volunteer hours
• share your ideas and help bring them to fruition
• connect with / learn from other youth to help reduce stigma around mental health and well-being

Please note, this is a completely virtual opportunity open to youth across Canada.

To apply: Applications must be received through the Kids Help Phone website at: https://kidshelpphone.ca/opportunities/national-youth-council/. The deadline to apply is November 28 at 11:59 p.m. PT.