What we do
The Award challenges young Canadians to develop skills and tools to improve themselves
and their communities by encouraging them to go beyond their comfort zone. Many
young people, through lack of confidence, opportunity or education, feel
incapable of affecting real change in their communities. Our unique framework is
designed to help them discover that they are more capable and powerful than they
ever dreamed.
Our Mission
To ensure all people in Canada are aware
of the Award, the life skills it brings and, through strong delivery partners,
have the opportunity to participate
Our mission drives our people
to work towards our vision. Working hard to ensure we generate greater
awareness and understanding of the Award through our networks of Award Holders
and supporters. Working hard to highlight the life skills the Award develops in
individuals for the long-term and the benefits Award holders bring to their
communities. Working hard to build a network of partners who use the Award
locally to best effect.
Our Vision
Young people in Canada from ALL backgrounds and life
circumstances equipped as individuals to succeed in life.
Our vision is simple to
understand: whoever you are, wherever you come from and whatever you define as
success, the Award can be used to help you develop essential skills that only
come through experience. As a young person, a high school diploma, college
certificate or university degree shows your technical prowess. An Award certificate testifies to your “character”
and represents the life skills you have developed, including confidence, a sense of purpose, resilience,
problem solving, compassion and respect for diversity.
Our Philosophy
The Award is about individual challenge and developing a sense of
commitment. With guidance from Award Leaders, Assessors or other Award
volunteers, each young person is encouraged to examine themselves, their
interests, abilities, and ambitions, then set challenges in the four different
sections of the Award. These challenges become the goals young people aspire to
reach and require persistence and determination to overcome.
Our Three Aims
We believe we need to work toward three
aims with our delivery partners to be successful in our vision:
-
Expand Access
Improve access for new and diverse groups of young
people, removing barriers to participation
- Extend Reach
Increase the social infrastructure and geographic
reach, taking the Award to our audiences
- Strengthen Impact
Improve the impact and quality of
delivery, proving we are the program we say we are
Impact of the Award
The Award in Canada will
monitor progress of the 2020-2026 Strategy through the metrics highlighted in
the plan below. We will provide evidence of our impact and value to society
through four key impacts:
- Improved mental health and emotional wellbeing
- Improved employability and earning potential
- Improved physical health and fitness
- Increased engagement with charitable and community
causes
To learn more about our Impact click here.
Updated July 2020