The City Youth Council of Toronto is currently accepting nominations for 2014 City Champions. Launched in 2014, this award recognizes young individuals who have positively contributed to their community through acts of kindness and/or leadership. The City Youth Council of Toronto characterizes eligible candidates as those who are a leader, an example/role model, honest and innovative.
Nominees must be 14-24 years of age and reside in the city of Toronto in order to be eligible for the award. Nominations are made by uploading a photo of the nominee and completing the Toronto chapter’s Facebook submission form including their reason for their nomination. The Youth Council may contact the nominator for additional material supporting the nomination. Anyone can nominate a candidate—a teacher, a friend, or a parent/guardian. You can even nominate yourself!
When asked what types of acts would qualify, Tyler Johnson, the Founder and President of the Coalition of Youth Councils said, “It would be difficult for me to speculate on all of the possibilities because … youth perform random acts of kindness and leadership every day… It just goes unheard and unrecognized…This is why they created an award that exists to recognize the unsung champions who are average…those who do something in their community.”
A list of all nominated candidates will appear on Toronto’s My City My Voice website where they will remain eligible for the monthly award for the remaining calendar year. Candidates are ineligible to win the monthly award twice in the same calendar year, but can potentially win in the next calendar year. However, a candidate may receive the title of City Champion of the year only once.
Each month, the Youth Council will select one nominee as a City Champion in acknowledgement of their commitment to building a better Toronto. Monthly winners will be announced in a press release and featured on their chapter’s website. At the end of the calendar year, the City Champion of the year will be selected from one of the twelve monthly winners through a combination of public votes and a judging panel of Toronto City Councillors and Toronto Youth Councillors.
Monthly champions will receive a certificate during the monthly Youth Council meetings. All monthly champions for a calendar year will be recognized for their contributions at an annual awards ceremony at Toronto City Hall. The City Champion of the year will be announced at this time and their name will be engraved on a plaque. January’s monthly champion was Ali Chatur, who hosted a fundraiser to sponsor a local baseball team. This provided youngsters in his community an opportunity to play the sport.
About City Youth Council of Toronto
The City Youth Council of Toronto is a chapter of the City Youth Councils of Canada. The City Youth Council of Toronto focuses on empowering youth to influence public policy, foster community development, and increase their knowledge about municipal government through active participation.
Don’t live in Toronto? Don’t fret! The City Champion program will be coming to a city with a Youth Council chapter near you in the future!
