A second-year-running volunteer program for Portage la Prairie youth is running this summer, and is created to open doors for youth that will take them places in a good career.
It's an that builds skills and supports local organizations and is meant to provide real-world experience.
The United Way West Central Manitoba's Summer of Service program is now in its second year in Portage la Prairie and continues to grow in scope and participation. Open to youth aged 13 to 25, the program offers volunteer opportunities at local organizations while helping students earn high school credit and build job skills.
Chelsey Denser, office manager with the program in Portage, says the initiative provides both personal growth and community benefit.
“They partner up with the CSOs Monday mornings and go around with the wagon with some water and snacks to give out to homeless and vulnerable people,” Denser notes.
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Student volunteers are currently placed at locations including Service for Seniors, PAWS, Fort la Reine Museum, the PRRA swim program, and the Rotary dock pond. Denser says the diversity of experience helps students explore potential career paths while contributing meaningfully to the community.
“They can kind of get a feel for it and be like, oh, I really like that or I didn’t really like that. But I liked the other thing,” she adds. “So if they’re really not sure, it’s a good way to kind of get out there.”
Work readiness and community impact
Denser emphasizes that volunteer work builds skills many youth may not gain elsewhere. From administrative tasks to customer service and hands-on labour, each site offers something different.
“When they help out with Service for Seniors, they do admin work and business work, computer work, phone calls,” she says. “And then out at Fort la Reine, it’s a little more labour-intensive, and at PAWS, they go in there and spend time with cats.”
She also says the program helps young people improve their communication skills and confidence — both of which employers are looking for.
“It gives them good work experience,” Denser continues. “It also just helps our community in general to be able to keep these organizations around.”
Easy to join, open all summer
Participation is still open to students who want to get involved. Registration is simple, and students can start at any time.
“All they have to do is just come by the office,” Denser says. “We have application packages here and they can fill them out. We just need a parent signature.”
Volunteers attend a short orientation and can then begin attending shifts throughout the week. Most placements run a few hours per day, giving students flexibility during their summer holidays.
More locations, more engagement
Jamie Stouffer, director of staff development and community wellness for United Way, says the Portage program has already grown since its 2023 launch, following in the footsteps of the Brandon program, now in its fifth year.
“Last year, they had two or three kind of showing up regularly, but this year they’ve got 16 registered,” Stouffer says. “And it just grows — once people learn about it and learn what it is.”
New partners and initiatives have been added this year, including the Wellness Walks, where students help distribute water and snacks to those in need. Stouffer says the flexible structure helps youth stay engaged, even with busy summer schedules.
“If a student is able to attend twice a week for a couple of weeks in the summer, that’s great. If they want to be there every day, they can do that as well,” she notes.
Students who reach 110 volunteer hours through the program can apply those hours toward a high school credit, providing a practical reward alongside valuable life experience.
With support from local organizations and a dedicated staff team, the Summer of Service program continues to offer meaningful opportunities for Portage youth — one volunteer hour at a time.
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