Our volunteers are at the heart of everything CYJS does.
Their time, commitment, and passion all help create positive change for young people and our communities.
We are so excited and proud to shine a spotlight on some of the wonderful people who are making a difference in the lives of young people. Check out our volunteer spotlights below!
What program(s) do you volunteer for?
I am currently a panel member for the Southland and CSYNC Youth Justice Committees (YJCs). I also sign up (assist) for meetings in other YJCs that require an additional panel member. I am also actively involved on the Board for the Southland YJC in the Secretary position.
What originally inspired you to volunteer with us, and what keeps you coming back?
I previously facilitated the Skills for Anger Program in Calgary that received regular referrals from Calgary Youth Justice Committees (CYJCs). The South Deerfoot Youth Justice Committee invited me to their AGM in the fall of 2018 in order to meet me, hear more about my program, and ask me relevant questions in order to ensure appropriate referrals to my program. I instantly adored this group of humans and inquired as to how I could become a part of this fabulous team. I started attending their monthly meetings as a committee member at large and applied to become a volunteer with the Calgary Youth Justice Society (CYJS). I completed the necessary training with the CYJS in the spring of 2019 in order to become a panel member for their diversion program and continue to volunteer as much as my schedule is able to accommodate. The team of volunteers and the fabulous experiences with youth maintain my love for this volunteer opportunity. I have been an active volunteer in various positions/capacities since I was 11 years old and will continue to give back to the community as long as I am able to.
Can you share a moment from your volunteering that really stayed with you or reminded you why this work matters?
I have experienced the absolute pleasure on several occasions of being on the receiving end of genuine and deep gratitude for the time and care that we provide to youth. Most youth that we see during panel meetings are remorseful of their actions, understand the wider implications of what brought them to our diversion program, and sincerely want to make amends for their behaviors. Their stated gratefulness and transitions from initial anxiety to successful hopefulness and relief is worth every minute of the time that I contribute to making an impact in their lives.
If you donate to CYJS, what motivates you to do that?
My donation to CYJS is one of time as I have been a part of hundreds of meetings over the past 7 years. I am motivated to help youth become more positive members of their community, in addition to preventing formal criminal charges on their records.
Anything else to share?
Thank you to CYJS and to all of the adults and youth who have touched my life over the past 7 years. I know that I am a better person for this experience and I hope only the best moving forward for the youth that I have met along this journey.
Thank you so much, Tina! You have been such an invaluable member of our volunteer team for the past 7 years – always going above and beyond. We’re so grateful for you!
Debo R. – Youth Justice Committee Volunteer & In the Lead Volunteer
What originally inspired you to volunteer with us, and what keeps you coming back?
“I initially volunteered with Airdrie Victims Services. When that volunteer opportunity ended, a colleague mentioned Calgary Youth Justice. After attending an information session, I felt the values of the team strongly aligned with my own. I was nervous at first, as I was unsure how I would be able to support young people and their families.
Over time, I realized that showing up with empathy, listening without judgment, and treating each young person as an individual is important in this role. What keeps me coming back is seeing the growth in young people, supporting their families and in turn strengthening the community. Seeing a young person at the end of the program grow and finding themselves makes this work meaningful.”
Can you share a moment from your volunteering that really stayed with you or reminded you why this work matters?
“I met a young person who had four family members show up to support him. They rallied around him and stood by him throughout the entire process. The love and commitment they showed was nothing short of remarkable and a powerful reminder of how important community and family support are in this work.”
How has volunteering here influenced you—your perspective, skills, or connection to the community? This opportunity has fundamentally changed me.
“I now see young people as strong leaders with incredible talent and potential. They are thoughtful, capable, and wonderful human beings. Through this work, I am learning how to listen without judgment, truly see people for who they are, and hold space for them with empathy and respect. Everyone has a story.”
Anything else to share?
“Young people are our future, and they have so much to offer. Even when they take the wrong path, it is important that we continue to show up, offer support, and believe in their ability to grow and move forward.”
Thank you so much, Debo! Your kindness, passion, dedication, and thoughtfulness shows up in everything you to with CYJS – we are so grateful to have you as a volunteer.
Graeme MacLean — In the Lead Volunteer Coach
What originally inspired you to volunteer with us, and what keeps you coming back?
“I was initially inspired after taking a leadership course in the summer of 2023 which was right around the same time I received an email from In the Lead on a volunteering opportunity. Although I knew very little of the program at the time, after participating in the information session and gaining an understanding how the impact this program has on our community of young individuals who are struggling to find themselves. I know that I can speak for a lot of people when I say I wish I had a program like this when I was a teenager and the importance of it is continuing growing as the world around us becomes more challenging.”
Can you share a moment from your volunteering that really stayed with you or reminded you why this work matters?
“During the closing classroom session in the Spring of 2025, my young leader shared with the class that he had been battling severe depression. And to paint the picture, this student was a very shy, not outspoken individual who would not normally share during class unless called upon. After sharing about his battle with depression he said that for the first time in a long time he can honestly say that he feels happiness again and had the program to thank for it.”
How has volunteering here influenced you—your perspective, skills, or connection to the community?
“Volunteering at In the Lead has really taught me the importance of a program like this through learning the stories of individuals in the classroom and learning all the struggles they must deal with on a day-to-day basis. Aside from learning the new lingo kids are using these days (which makes me feel really really old), I was able to gain skills on how to work with people who come from a completely different background by finding common ground. Just because we live different lives doesn’t change the fact that we are all human and there is always commonality that you can find with anyone to be able to relate in one way or another.”
If you donate to CYJS, what motivates you to do that?
“To make sure their programs are well funded and able to continue growing how many students they can reach!”
Anything else to share?
“Above all else, without the passion of all the individuals working at CYJS, who work tirelessly to reach as many young individuals as possible, the impact on the community would not be what it is. Big shoutout to everyone at CYJS!! You all are making such a big different in the lives of our future leaders 😊”
Thank you so much, Graeme! We are so grateful to have you as an In the Lead Coach. Your curiosity, open-mindedness, and compassion shines through in everything you do.
Dana M. — Chair, Calgary Aboriginal Youth Restorative Justice Committee
What originally inspired you to volunteer with us, and what keeps you coming back?
“The opportunity to make a difference in my community and help young people through their interactions with the justice system in a culturally grounded way. What keeps me coming back? It works – watching young people succeed keeps me passionate about the YJC program!”
Can you share a moment from your volunteering that really stayed with you or reminded you why this work matters?
“We had a young person for a file who had recently been diagnosed with a condition and it was very difficult for the family. We prompted them to consider these traits as strengths instead – how they could be used unconventionally. I remember this made the YP and parents very emotional. Showing them how to engage from a strengths-based perspective helped make that file very successful!”
How has volunteering here influenced you—your perspective, skills, or connection to the community?
“By reminding myself that all young people deserve support and good mentorship. That being a member of a community requires you to show up to build and grow your own community connections.”
Anything else to share?
Happy to be heading into 10 years of volunteering to support young people, and it has only gotten more rewarding over the years!
A huge thank you, Dana! Your support over the last 10 years has meant so much to us, the community, and all of the young people you have helped guide along the way.
Click here to learn more about becoming an In the Lead volunteer.
Click here to learn more about becoming a Youth Justice Committee volunteer.
With respect, gratitude, and accountability, Calgary Youth Justice Society acknowledges the traditional lands of the Blackfoot Confederacy which includes the Siksika, Kainai, Piikani Nations, the Îyârhe Nakoda Nation, Tsuut’ina Nation, the Métis Nation of Alberta, Districts 5 & 6, and we honour all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.
We see and celebrate the many strengths of Indigenous people and commit to reflect upon and change our ways of knowing, being, and doing so that we can truly work towards reconciliation in a meaningful way.
