Guest Blog: How the Vital Youth program shaped my career plans after high school

 

Since 2003, over 800 students in school leadership classes, youth advisory committees, and more have taken part in the Vital Youth program , which engages them in the world of philanthropy. Each year, students from 12 schools in the capital region and the Cowichan Valley spend the year getting to know their region’s non-profits and charities. The foundation then gives each student committee $4,000 to recommend grants to registered charities of their choice, while another $500 is invested in their school’s permanent endowment fund.

This year, the annual Vital Youth Celebration was held at the Scottish Community Centre, where 110 attendees – students, their families, and grant recipients – came together to celebrate their philanthropy with speeches, catered food, and fun activities. One speaker of note was Stelly’s Secondary and Vital Youth alum Ashley Bihis, with an inspiring speech on how the program transformed her views on philanthropy and leadership, and later influenced her career decisions while attending the University of Victoria.

Here is an excerpt from Ashley’s motivational speech:

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I had the privilege of being part of Vital Youth as an alum – and this past year, as a mentor. And let me tell you, being back at this event, watching all the students take the lead, reminded me exactly why this program is so special.

I remember six years ago when I was 15, sitting in a classroom with my fellow Vital Youth peers. We invited the Executive Director of a local non-profit near our high school to learn about the incredible work they do in our community. We asked, “if your organization were to be selected, what would the money go to?” Looking back now, it must have been kind of strange for that person to be asked such a serious question by a group of young people with so much power and responsibility.

This little anecdote was one of the most memorable experiences I had from Vital Youth. This program shifts power dynamics by giving youth a greater voice and role in decision-making, nurturing their leadership skills and empowering them to create change. It taught me that philanthropy is about love for humanity. It is about care, action, and community. It also taught me that philanthropy does not always have to come from money—it can come from time, from values, and from collective decisions.

This summer, I graduate with my bachelor’s from the University of Victoria. The Vital Youth program has furthered my interests in social inequality and human rights, which led me to major in sociology and opened many opportunities for me to develop the skills I gained from Vital Youth, such as conducting research with people in the local community. My experiences in Vital Youth inspired me to pursue a career in public policy in the future.

That said, the values I have taken from this program, such as collaboration, compassion, and dedication, are not just things I leave behind when I walk out the door. They are with me in how I show up in school, in work, in friendships, and in community. I hope they stay with you, too.

To every single student: I hope you are proud of yourselves, because we are proud of you. And your work this year mattered. The organizations you supported, the passionate conversations you had, the way you showed up for each other—it all created ripple effects that go way beyond what you can see right now.

So, thank you, Vital Youth, for continuing to be a space that shifts power and grows leaders. Congratulations, everyone!

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For questions about the Vital Youth program, or if you’re an educator interested in getting your students involved, please email program coordinator Amira Maddison at amaddison@victoriafoundation.bc.ca.