Some of the greatest opportunities for community outreach can come through your workplace—a fact I recently discovered from my involvement with United Way and GenNext through my job at Scotiabank.

As corporate social responsibility is a cornerstone of Scotiabank’s operations, our very own GenNext Cabinet has set about spreading the word about United Way to a generation embarking upon their careers. By promoting us as ‘agents of change’ through networking events and ‘Days of Caring’ agency visits, GenNext has encouraged all of the potential business prodigies out there to get involved in our communities.

In order to raise awareness and promote volunteerism, GenNext organized a ‘Week of Caring’, which allowed us to volunteer at and tour various local agencies supported by United Way. Along with a group of other eager young Scotiabankers, I headed out for my ‘Day of Caring’ at the Christie-Ossington Neighbourhood Centre’s Men’s Hostel on Lansdowne Ave., which offers shelter and support for men who are homeless, street-oriented and facing mental and other obstacles to gaining adequate housing.

We set to work painting the hostel entranceway and helping in the kitchen, spending the afternoon learning and contributing where we could. While my time at the hostel was short, what it gave me was exposure to some of the work that United Way and its agencies do for the vulnerable in our community. It made me realise how important it is to ask questions and find out how we as young people can help to address the needs in our city.

It’s easy to get involved and there are some great volunteer opportunities in our community through the United Way—so get out there with GenNext!