Lending a Helping Hand: Collaborative youth-led research and advocacy and Ontario’s 40 volunteer hour graduation requirement

Lending A Helping Hand is a two-year, youth-led research and advocacy project focused on young Ontarians’ experiences with community involvement. This research will culminate in a report containing perspectives and recommendations from youth facing barriers to education (including youth in or leaving care) as well as educators. In particular, the report will focus on the 40 volunteer hours required for high school graduation in Ontario; while this requirement holds the potential for meaningful community involvement, it also presents barriers for low-income, newcomer, and racialized students. After the report is published, Helping Hands and peer youth ambassadors will share the report with community stakeholders to encourage policy change related to Ontario’s 40 volunteer hour graduation requirement.