Earn Community Hours with the Teen Advisory Group!
Our volunteer program has a new look. Continue reading below for all the details!
What is the Teen Advisory Group (aka TAG)?
The Teen Advisory Group at Milton Public Library is the perfect opportunity for teens looking to complete their high school community service hours. This year, we're going completely virtual so that you can earn your hours in a safe, but fun environment. Attend various workshops, and participate online to earn hours that you can put towards your 40 community hours for school.
What Will I Be Doing?
All year long, we'll be hosting online workshops aimed at helping you learn more about community development, diversity, inclusivity, and how to be an ally to members of your community. Join in for lectures, discussions, and activities designed to help you grow, and to tackle important community issues. Have an idea? Let us know!
How Do I Apply?
Any student in Grades 9 to 12, who lives or goes to school in Milton is welcome to join in. Students are responsible for signing themselves up for each session, using our online registration system to do so.
How Do I Get My Hours?
Post-program, students must complete an online reflection in order to receive documentation for their participation. This requirement will begin in January 2021.
Staff then prepares documents for each individual participant. This includes a signed letter with details of your experience, as well as signed school forms where applicable. These letters will be individually emailed to each participant. It is the students' responsibility to submit them to their school office.
We have large groups participating in our virtual volunteer programs, so we appreciate your patience while we prepare everyone's paperwork.
Current Workshops:
Be a Difference Maker with the Rick Hansen Foundation
Tuesdays, July 6, 13, 20, 27 (4 sessions) |4:00-5:30pm | Zoom | FULL
Grades 9-12. By joining this series of workshops you'll hear from an entrepreneur, an educator, an advocate, and a Paralympian - all people living with a vision, hearing, or mobility disability. Learn ways to become a difference-maker in your school and community by creating a more accessible and inclusive world. Four amazing individuals will share their life experiences, followed by an interactive exercise and discussion. This series is sponsored by the Rick Hansen Foundation.
Week 1: Personal Passions - Students identify personal passions and learn more about causes and passions related to accessibility and inclusivity. Featuring Rick Hansen Foundation Ambassador, Joel Dembe.
Week 2: Overcoming Obstacles - Students identify the qualities and strategies that can be used to overcome obstacles. Featuring Rick Hansen Foundation Ambassador, Jessica Kruger
Week 3: Power of Teamwork - Students take an in-depth look at Rick Hansen's Man In Motion World Tour to learn the extent to which a reliable, well-balanced team is essential to successfully achieve goals. Featuring Rick Hansen Foundation Ambassador, Robert Hampson.
Week 4: Being a Difference Maker - Students create a step-by-step action plan for generating positive change in their school or community. Featuring Rick Hansen Foundation Ambassador, Vanessa Pollard.
The program will be held via Zoom. Participants will receive their login credentials the day before the program. Please check your spam to ensure you receive them.
Register for Be a Difference Maker beginning June 19, 2021 at 9:30am.
Break the Fake and Media Literacy
Saturday August 14, 2021 |1:30-3:00pm | Zoom
Grades 9-12. Media is a powerful force in our lives, and without the skills to critically analyze and evaluate what we see on tv, on social media, in the news, on Youtube, or in a magazine, how do we know the difference between what is real and what is not? How does this contribute to the spread of misinformation, and what can we do to break the cycle of fake content? Join your MPL librarians for a session of Break the Fake by Media Smarts, and develop your media literacy skills.
The program will be held via Zoom. Participants will receive their login credentials the day before the program. Please check your spam to ensure you receive them.
Register for Break the Fake beginning July 24, 2021 at 9:30am.
Youth-Led Anti-Racism Workshop
Wednesday August 18, 2021 |4:30-6:00pm | Zoom
Grades 9-12. The Milton District High School Equity Team is a group of students from grades 9 to 12 led by Amber, Team President. From this team, a committee of youth has developed an anti-racism workshop to be presented for Haltom community members. The purpose of the presentation is to educate listeners on anti-racism and how to be an anti-racist, with calls to action specific to the Halton region.
The program will be held via Zoom. Participants will receive their login credentials the day before the program. Please check your spam to ensure you receive them.
Register for Anti-Racism Workshop beginning July 24, 2021 at 9:30am.
Sustainable Cities: Creating a Resilient Urban Ecosystem
Thursday, August 26, 2021 | 4:00-5:30pm | Zoom
Grades 9-12. Learn what can be done to create healthier, environment-friendly cities. Gain an understanding of life systems and how the environment and urban spaces interact with one another as you learn about urban sustainability projects from around the world. You will also get the chance to participate in designing/re-envisioning your own sustainable and eco-friendly transportation system. Led by Ontariogreen Conservation Association.
The program will be held via Zoom. Participants will receive their login credentials the day before the program. Please check your spam to ensure you receive them.
Register for Sustainable Cities beginning August 7, 2021 at 9:30am.
Past Workshops:
Every Child Matters: Reconciliation Through Education
Saturday October 3, 2020 | 1:00-4:00pm
Teamwork and Leadership with VPI Working Solutions
Saturday November 14, 2020 | 1:00-3:00pm
Milton's Culture Plan: Imagine the Possibilities
Wednesday November 18, 2020 | 6:30-8:30pm
Mental Health Advocacy: Changing the Conversation with CMHA
Saturday January 23, 2021 | 1:00-3:00pm
Journey to Human Rights with the Canadian Museum of Human Rights
Saturday February 6, 2021 | 12:00-1:30pm and 2:30-4:00pm
Lived Experiences Past and Present with Halton Black History Awareness Society
Saturday February 20, 2021 | 1:00-2:30pm
Climate Change Conversations with the Halton Environmental Network
Saturday March 6, 2021 | 1:00-3:00pm
Virtual Career Lab with the Halton Industry Education Council
Monday April 13, 2021 | 10:30am-12:30pm and 1:30pm-3:30pm
Building a Financially Capable Generation with JA Central Ontario
Saturday May 1, 2021 | 1:00-3:30pm
Research Skills with the Archives of Ontario
Wednesday May 5, 2021 | 4:30-6:00pm
Halton Youth Impact Survey Community Consultation
Tuesday June 1, 2021 | 7:00-8:30pm
Truth and Reconciliation with the Legacy of Hope Foundation
Wednesday June 2, 2021 | 6:30-8:30pm
Inclusive Spaces and 2SLGBTQ+ Allyship with The Positive Space Network
Saturday June 12, 2021 |1:00-2:30pm
Food Insecurity with Food for Life
Monday July 5, 2021 | 2:00-3:30pm
.png "OntarioGreen Environmental Education")
Volunteer Responsibilities:
To be fully engaged in their opportunity, participating to the best of their ability and demonstrating enthusiasm for their event.
To act as a positive role model and teen advocate within the community, and as representatives of Milton Public Library.
To provide feedback to staff about volunteer opportunities and the program in general.
Minimum Qualifications:
Completed Grade 8 but not graduated from High School
A resident of Milton, or attending a Milton High School
Passion for community involvement
Conscientious and reliable
Friendly and welcoming attitude
Strong communication skills
Openness to learning new skills and taking on new opportunities
Able to work independently in order to fulfill assigned tasks
Able to work well as part of a team in order to fulfill assigned tasks
Able to illustrate respect, empathy, and patience with others, regardless of age group
