Celebrating our student volunteers!
This week is National Student Volunteer Week!
Volunteers power so much of what happens at PCYC Queensland – and student volunteers are no exception.
Our amazing young people are making a big difference in their communities across the state.
Our Youth Leadership Teams (YLTs) are shining examples. At PCYC Crestmead, this diverse group rolls up their sleeves to help wherever it’s needed, from packing emergency hampers for people experiencing homelessness in Logan, to washing PCYC vehicles, to supporting the annual CAOS community event.
PCYC Crestmead’s Community Development Officer Tarinabo Dambo answered a few questions about the group:
How long have this group of volunteers been involved?
At least four members of the YLT have been involved for several years, with most participants joining for the first time this year. Nevertheless, all YLT members work effectively as a team regardless of when they joined. Existing members always go out of their way to ensure that new additions feel welcome and included.
What have been some standout achievements from this group while volunteering?
The YLT recently raised around $500 while volunteering to sell raffle tickets at CAOS and recently did a fantastic job of washing the Braking the Cycle cars. PCYC Crestmead YLT also represented the club at the Traditional Indigenous Games (TIGS) tournament at the People First stadium on the Gold Coast where their team the ‘Blue Steelers’ placed first.
How have the group members benefitted from volunteering with PCYC?
All our YLT members reported feeling a sense of purpose and achievement after volunteering with the PCYC. In recent weeks, two of our YLT members, who are aspiring basketball players, had the opportunity to meet and speak to current professional basketball player Tyrell Harrison, who plays in both the NBA in the United States and the NBL here in Australia. The two girls represented YLT well in asking sensible questions to Tyrell alongside the Youth Club Manager Sergent Chris Davey. In late June, Tyrell was a special guest at Crestmead PCYC’s Basketball Afterdark program.
What’s next for members of the volunteer group? (what are their future plans)
The plan for PCYC Crestmead YLT is planning to safely distribute the emergency hampers they packed to people experiencing homelessness in Logan.
Here’s what some of PCYC Crestmead’s YLT said about their time volunteering with PCYC:
Nala: “Volunteering through YLT allows me to help people and the community.”
Raela: “Volunteering with PCYC Crestmead helps me to improve my people skills.”
Ryan: “I enjoy being a part of YLT and volunteering at PCYC Crestmead because I get to do fun activities and make friends.”
