March 16, 2020
Katimavik announces measures in response to COVID-19 Pandemic
MONTREAL, QUEBEC – In response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Katimavik Youth Services has created a Pandemic Preparedness Committee that has overseen the creation and implementation of a Pandemic Policy & Procedure plan for its Participant-Volunteers who are living in six houses across the country.
This Committee is made up of Katimavik Youth Services Chief Executive Officer John-Frederick Cameron, Director of Finance and Operations Virginie Thibeault, National Experience Program Manager Adim Hébert, and Human Resources Consultant Mary Travaglini.
Currently, Katimavik has Participant-Volunteers working on community projects in Nanaimo, British Columbia; Calgary, Alberta; Winnipeg, Manitoba; Peterborough, Ontario; Quebec City, Quebec; and Moncton, New Brunswick.
Project Leaders in each community have been given detailed instructions regarding COVID-19 preparedness. These include education on COVID-19 and its symptoms, precautions and recommended procedures, and steps to take if a Participant-Volunteer shows symptoms. These include social distancing and self-isolation protocols. In addition, each Project Leader is making contact with their specific provincial health authority in order to be prepared for any immediate course of action required.
Effective immediately, the Rotation is on hold until it has been determined whether it is safe for Participant-Volunteers to travel.
Katimavik Youth Services holds the health and well-being of our Participant-Volunteers and staff as our highest priority. The organization is in constant communication with the Participant-Volunteers and is adhering to Government of Canada guidelines. We have ensured that our Pandemic Policy & Procedure plan is consistent with these guidelines. We continue to monitor the situation as it evolves.
Katimavik offers young adults opportunities to gain life skills and work experience while contributing to community development through volunteerism. The word ‘Katimavik’ originates from the Inuktitut language, meaning ‘meeting place’. Since 1977, Katimavik has brought young Canadians together to learn, to exchange culture and language, and to help build stronger communities across Canada. Katimavik aims to help youth become engaged, caring citizens and capable contributors and leaders for a better Canada. We do this through the development of 21st-century skills, experiential learning, and civic engagement.