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Katimavik
Katimavik is a Canadian non-profit organization dedicated to youth development. Through its two programs, the National Experience and FuturePerfect, it offers participants the opportunity to gain essential skills, engage in their communities, and take part in enriching experiences that promote exchange and diversity.
The young participants in Katimavik’s programs come from all across the country. They speak English, French, and other languages. Together, they learn, discover, and take part in exciting projects while experiencing meaningful collaboration.
Through the National Experience, participants engage in an immersive program for several months, exchanging cultures and languages while actively contributing to community development across the country through volunteer service. This experience allows them to gain valuable personal and professional skills.
The FuturePerfect program, on the other hand, helps young adults who are further from employment integrate into the workforce by providing them with a paid work experience. With personalized support and hands-on opportunities, they develop the skills needed to build their professional future.
The challenges these young people take on are particularly transformative. They often describe their journey in terms of “before” and “after” Katimavik. As engaged and altruistic citizens, they gain valuable tools for their future with Katimavik.
Immerse Yourself in 47 Years of History
Visit Katimavik’s virtual exhibition to explore the stories, moments, and people that have shaped its legacy.
CEO Statement
Founded in 1977, Katimavik is a Canadian national youth empowerment and youth development charitable organization. We engage with youth from a wide diversity of communities across Canada, including Indigenous youth, newcomer youth, Black youth, white youth, youth of colour, 2SLGBTQI+ youth, and youth of different faiths and religions, as well as youth from various socio-economic, linguistic and geographic backgrounds. We bring these young people together in common purpose, through active volunteerism and to support communities.
Through this work they develop deep unyielding respect and understanding of one another. They form life-long bonds of friendship. Those bonds reflect important values, along with a strong commitment to active citizenship. We believe, as a result of Katimavik’s influence, we are fostering a more tolerant, informed, understanding, respectful, and inclusive Canada.
From its founding and throughout its history, Katimavik has been committed to the spirit and intent of Truth and Reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Canada. Though we are not an Indigenous organization and do not seek to become one, in 2019, Katimavik formally adopted a 50-year pledge to demonstrate a commitment to Truth and Reconciliation through our programming.
This pledge ensures we continue to build bridges of understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth from diverse backgrounds. We support the leadership role Indigenous organizations play in Truth and Reconciliation and decolonization work, and we fully understand that role is not ours to misappropriate. Further, Katimavik remains committed to nurturing tolerance and mutual respect between diverse youth themselves as well as between English and French-Canadian youth as we help create a more harmonious and unified Canada.
National
Experience
National Experience
The National Experience is a 22 weeks immersive program. Up to eleven young people share and manage a Katimavik home, while volunteering with organizations that contribute to the development of the communities where they live.
Future
Perfect
FuturePerfect
Discover FuturePerfect: our 14-week program that provides young adults facing employment barriers with paid and sustainable work experiences to successfully launch their careers.
News
Since its founding, Katimavik has mobilized over 40,000 young Canadians to make a lasting impact in more than 1,000 communities.
