ABOUT YOUTH RISE
Youth Rise is a prevention-based organization dedicated to empowering youth from vulnerable communities. We believe in connecting young people with a community of stable, caring adults who walk through life with them. Our programs—ranging from drop-in sports and tutoring to job preparation—are designed to remove barriers and help youth reach their full potential through a trauma-informed lens. For more information about us and our mission, check out our website: https://www.youthrise.ca/

THE ROLE
Our volunteers are the engine of our organization. We are looking for passionate individuals who want to build meaningful mentoring relationships and provide a safe, welcoming environment for Edmonton youth. Whether you are interested in sports, academics, or simply being a consistent presence, there is a place for you on our team!

WAYS YOU CAN GET INVOLVED
We are currently filling roles across several key areas, including:
- Youth Night Mentors (Tuesdays): Help facilitate our most popular night! Engage with youth 12-17 during family-style meals, basketball tournaments, and structured games.
- Youth Night Mentors (Fridays): Engage with youth through backetball, games, and activities (and most importantly, pizza) in our J.D Bracco location. Youth at this location are typically between 12-15.
- Academic Tutors: Provide free tutoring for students in Grades 7-12. We look for volunteers who can support various subjects in an environment that is sensitive to the unique needs of our youth.
- Sports & Recreation Leads: Supervise and play alongside youth during drop-in basketball, soccer, or hockey sessions on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons.

HOW TO APPLY
Ready to help a generation rise? Visit youthrise.ca/volunteer to fill out the application form. Once submitted, a member of our team will reach out to discuss how your passions and strengths best fit our current needs.

Apply: https://cusointl.org/4d7s4Og

Volunteer Location: Indigenous communities across Canada’s North (Yukon and Northwest Territories)

Placement duration: June - August 2026 (3 months)

Language Requirements: English

Eligibility: Open to Canadian Citizens (including Permanent Residents and Open Work permit holders) only

Indigenous applicants are strongly encouraged to apply. Cuso International warmly welcomes First Nations, Inuit, and Métis individuals who are interested in supporting youth leadership and community?driven recreation in northern communities. Indigenous lived experience, cultural knowledge, and community connections are highly valued in this role.

The Volunteer’s Role
Cuso International is seeking a motivated individual with experience or interest in sports, recreation, or youth coaching who is excited about the opportunity to live and work in northern Indigenous communities this summer. Volunteers will work alongside local youth to support and strengthen youth-led recreation and sport activities, focusing on coordination, mentorship, and leadership development rather than direct program delivery.

This role offers a unique combination of impactful work and a transformative northern living experience, making it ideally suited for students or early-career professionals who have experience or a strong interest in areas such as sports coaching, recreation leadership, youth programming, physical education or kinesiology, and Indigenous cultures. We are looking for individuals who are adaptable, culturally respectful, comfortable working in youth-led environments, and able to support evolving plans shaped by community priorities.

As a volunteer, you will:

Support youth to design, organize, and lead recreation and sport activities in schools and community spaces
Help youth coordinate and strengthen team sports, fitness activities, and inclusive recreation initiatives that they identify as priorities
Build trusting, respectful relationships with youth and serve as a positive role model and mentor with a strong focus on supporting youth leadership and shared decision-making
Work with youth whose activities are supported through flexible microgrants, helping them plan, budget, and deliver their ideas
Work alongside school staff, recreation coordinators, and community partners to align programming with local needs
Help identify gaps in processes and propose innovative solutions
Promote teamwork, leadership, confidence, and well-being through youth-led and community-defined activities.
Ensure activities are safe, inclusive, and accessible to youth of all abilities
Participate in community life and demonstrate respect for Indigenous cultures, traditions, and protocols