Volunteering with USAY:
Building Meaningful
Connections and Impact
At USAY, we believe volunteering offers an excellent opportunity for businesses and community groups to engage their employees and members. To ensure lasting, positive outcomes and sustainable partnerships, we ask organizations and community groups interested in volunteering with USAY to follow certain guidelines throughout the process.
First-Time Contacting USAY? Here’s What You Should Know:
USAY is committed to sustainability and stability, ensuring that all partnerships are impactful and that your employees’ or members’ engagement is meaningful. If you’re seeking volunteer opportunities, especially to learn more about Truth and Reconciliation, USAY offers a range of community events throughout the year where volunteers can participate and learn. These events provide a great chance for your team to get involved, deepen their understanding, and support our mission by sharing your group’s experience with others in the community.
You can view upcoming events and learn more here: USAY Events
Steps to Take Before Reaching Out:
To gain a better understanding of USAY’s work and its impact, we encourage your organization’s leadership or employee representatives to attend one of our events or board meetings. This will help familiarize your team with USAY’s mission and the community we serve.
Additionally, we recommend sharing information about USAY with your employees or members. Consider providing them with resources to get acquainted with the organization, such as the New Tribe magazine. You can request copies of New Tribe using this form. Also, appoint a champion within your group to promote IndigiPRINTS enhancing the New Tribe experience.
Learning Opportunities:
- Organize an information session where employees or members can learn about USAY, its mission, and Treaty 7. We encourage you to download IndigiTRAILS and visit key locations in the city, experiencing the augmented reality (AR) features that bring USAY’s work to life.
- Consider selecting a volunteer committee to explore USAY’s Escape Rooms, providing a unique way to learn and bond with your team.
Commitment to Truth and Reconciliation:
USAY only partners with organizations that are dedicated to making Truth and Reconciliation a core part of their professional development efforts. It’s important that your organization thoroughly understands USAY’s mission and how your goals align.
Ways to Deepen Understanding of Truth and Reconciliation:
- Familiarize your group with the Calgary Foundation’s Indigenous Ally Toolkit: Indigenous Ally Toolkit
- Enroll employees or members in the Indigenous Canada Course from the University of Alberta: Indigenous Canada Course
- Request to attend an Elders’ Guidance Circle to engage in meaningful conversations about your group’s goals and deepen your understanding: Elders’ Guidance Circle
We look forward to collaborating with your organization to make a lasting impact in the community while furthering the important work of USAY.
For all group volunteer inquiries contact: programdirector@usay.ca
92% of Indigenous youth in USAY’s programs feel more connected to their culture; a huge accomplishment when 69% of Indigenous youth are in the child welfare system and detached from their families.
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