Youth are required to complete 120 service hours over 12 months. The hours will be distributed accordingly:

• 50 hours: hands-on service placement with the host organization
• 40-50 hours: regional gathering and provincial retreat
• 15-20 hours: self-paced learning modules
• 5-10 hours: webinars, reflections and peer engagement

Placement opportunities will vary depending on your region, but may include the following:

• Growing food in farms, school/community gardens, or other urban and rural agriculture initiatives.
• Supporting Indigenous-led or land-based programming 
• Coordinating or supporting food literacy events and educational workshops.
• Assisting with meal preparation, food packaging, and distribution efforts.
• Providing administrative, project management, or communications support. 

Your placement may include one or multiple types of tasks throughout its duration. We value your unique skills and interests, and we’ll take them into account when assigning tasks. If you have a particular area you’d like to gain experience in, we encourage open communication with your supervisor and regional lead so we can explore ways to integrate your preferences into your placement. 

• Hands-on, community-based experience in food systems and environmental initiatives 

• Online education and workshops on food justice and community leadership 

• Mentorship and opportunities for leadership and professional development 

• A 4-day provincial retreat (on Vancouver Island) to reflect, connect with peers, and share experiences

• References or recommendation letters, if requested

• A deeper understanding of your role in food systems, community, and change.

• Support with accessibility, transportation and accommodation costs, or other needs wherever possible

• A dedicated regional lead who will check in regularly and provide guidance with goal-setting and reflection

• Orientation and onboarding at the start of your volunteer placement 

• Assistance in navigating your placement and overcoming any challenges

No prior experience is required to participate in Rise Up!. Whether you are just beginning to explore community work or you’re already engaged in food systems and environmental action initiatives, there is a place for you. Rise Up! values who you are and the diverse lived experience you bring. The program welcomes anyone who is interested in learning something new, giving back to their community, and growing as a leader and changemaker. We especially encourage youth who identify as Indigenous, racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+, living with disabilities, newcomers, or who are navigating barriers to opportunity to apply.

Rise Up! is an un-paid, volunteer-based learning program. We understand that unpaid opportunities are not accessible to everyone, which is why we are committed to making the experience as equitable and supportive as possible. Support will include flexibility in scheduling, reimbursement for transportation to placements, and accommodations for other access-based needs. You will also receive mentorship, leadership opportunities, and a Certificate of Completion to further support your professional development.

If you don’t see an organization or an opportunity that interests you, you are welcome to research and propose an organization you’d like to work with. Reach out to your regional lead with your proposal, and if the organization aligns with our mission and values, we will do our best to facilitate a connection. However, please note that proposed placements are not guaranteed. 

Additionally, once you are matched with an organization, you are encouraged to share your goals and interests with both your regional lead and the organization. Together, you can collaborate to co-create an opportunity that reflects your unique goals and passions.

You must commit to only one organization for your official Rise Up! service placement. However, you are welcome to explore additional volunteer opportunities beyond the program! If you decide to engage in additional volunteer opportunities, please note that any extra hours completed with other organizations will not count toward the Rise Up! service placement and must be arranged independently of the program. You may use the Rise Up! volunteer platform to search for other organizations and opportunities. However, as the postings on the platform are specifically designated for the Rise Up! program, we recommend that you connect with additional organizations you are interested in outside of the platform (their contact information will be listed in their profile on the platform).  

Volunteers and host organizations will be matched through the digital Rise Up! volunteer platform. You will have the opportunity to indicate your interests both on the platform and in conversations with your regional lead, who will coordinate placements accordingly. You can browse and apply for positions on the platform that align with your interests, or connect with a potential host organization before deciding if you’d like to apply.

This process is collaborative – we strive to match you with an organization that aligns with your values and goals. Placements are co-created with input from you, your regional lead, and local organizations, ensuring a meaningful and balanced experience that considers both your interests and the needs of the host organization.

There is no fee to join the Rise Up! program. The program will reimburse travel costs to your service placements, and it will also cover food and accommodations during gatherings.

Yes! The program is designed to foster peer connections. Your regional lead will organize a regional gathering in your area, and you’ll also be invited to a Provincial Retreat on Vancouver Island, where you’ll meet youth from across British Columbia. Some regions may also have group chats for ongoing communication and support.

Some organizations may offer virtual or hybrid service placements depending on their needs. The availability of these types of placements may vary across cohorts, so we encourage you to reach out to your regional lead to explore options that work best for you.

Yes, host organizations may extend volunteer placements or transition volunteers into longer-term roles beyond the conclusion at the end of each cohort (either Spring of 2026 or 2027). Any continued involvement, however, will fall outside the scope of the Rise Up! program and must be managed independently between the volunteer and organization. 

Some placements may involve working alongside staff or other youth, while others may be more independent. Either way, you will have a regional lead checking in and supporting you throughout. You will also have opportunities to connect with your peers at both regional and provincial gatherings, fostering a sense of community and shared experience.

Yes! Past participants have successfully used their Rise Up! service placement hours to fulfill their school service requirements. However, we recommend checking with your school to ensure the Rise Up! placement aligns with your specific service hour criteria.

Participants must commit 120 hours to successfully complete the Rise Up! program. However, you are not required to complete 120 hours at your service placement alone. The 120 hours will be comprised of time spent at your placement, as well as time spent completing online educational modules, attending online webinars, and participating in in-person workshops and gatherings (Scroll up at the Rise Up! Time Commitment section for more information). You will have up to 12 months to fulfill this requirement depending when you sign up, and the hours can be spread out or concentrated depending on your availability and your host organization’s needs.

Our Rise Up! Regional leads are a diverse bunch based throughout BC. They have a variety of backgrounds and experience including land-based education, youth engagement, public health nutrition, food systems knowledge, permaculture and agriculture, mental health outreach, career mentorship, health promotion, farming and food justice. The regional leads are experienced in creating safe and inclusive spaces and will be your main support throughout your service placement. Their role is to help match you with a host organization that aligns with your interests, coordinate regular check ins with you and organize activities so you can connect with your Rise Up! peers in your region. You can get to know your regional lead by reading their bios here.