From hosting to volunteering together at the YES: Intergenerational volunteering in YFU
This mother-and-daughter duo from Finland, Tiia and Emilia, volunteered together at this year’s Youth Empowerment Seminar: Tiia as a counsellor and Emilia as one of the coordinators of International Group Leaders – the single biggest group of volunteers at the seminar. “When I heard that we needed more counsellors at YES this year, I thought, ‘My mom would be great in that role!’ So, I asked her to apply,” Emilia explains. Tiia adds, “I also felt that I could be useful here, so I applied and was accepted. I’m so happy that we get to be here together!” With her background as a physical education and health information teacher, Tiia was well-suited for the role—not to mention her experiences as a host mom.
When asked to describe the experience of volunteering together, Emilia shares, “It’s really nice that my mom gets to see this part of my life as a volunteer, and that she gets to experience this journey.” Tiia agrees, saying, “I’m happy to see my daughter every day here and to see what she’s doing. I’m also so glad to give back to YFU something precious that I received as an exchange student in Nebraska back in the ’80s.”
“I think volunteering at the YES offers a unique opportunity to develop new skills—both in facilitation and in life—that you wouldn’t learn in an academic setting. And all this while having fun with other volunteers, getting to know new people, and making new friends. The YFU community is incredibly accepting and welcoming,” Emilia describes.
Tiia agrees, adding, “I would encourage other adults to come and experience the YES as well. The young people here (volunteers and students) are doing an excellent job, and we could learn from them how to communicate and care for one another, regardless of country, religion, or language differences.”
领英推荐
More stories and insights from the YES can be found in the newly published YES Report:
Happy reading!