Tommy Bellavance has travelled to Prince George from Three Rivers, Que. to hone his skills in his hoped-for future profession.
The 18-year-old, slightly-built youth is considering a career as a cook, and that's what he'll be doing in town for the next 10 weeks as a team member of Katimavik, a leading national youth organization in Canada, promotes civic engagement and fosters communities through challenging youth service programs.
Bellavance is volunteering at St. Vincent de Paul drop-in shelter that feeds homeless and low-income residents on a daily basis.
"I was inspired to join the Katimavik team and come west, firstly, to improve my English and to make good use of my time while I decide what I want to do with my life," said Bellavance.
"I'm trended towards social work, so I'll be happy here at St. Vincent's. I love to cook. I like it here in Prince George and I'm happy to be here."
Bellavance spent the first two of 12 weeks in Prince George providing meals as the manager of the Katimavik house where the 10 members live.
It's an education in itself just getting to know the team with their different languages, culture and experiences, he said.
"One of our members is a Muslim, and it's interesting to learn about her religion and ways, such as being limited in her choices of food."
Five members from Quebec, three from Ontario and one each from Vancouver and Labrador, are scattered about the community working as volunteers at Canadian Red Cross, Canadian Diabetes Association, Sacred Heart school, Railway and Forestry Museum, Carney Hill Neighbourhood Society, French Canadian school and other non-profit organizations.
Following three months in Prince George, the team will travel to Quebec for the second half of their program.
By that time, Bellavance believes he'll have a better idea of how to enhance his one year of general college courses.
He says it's not unthinkable that he may end up training as a professional chef in Europe.
Since 1977, Katimavik has enabled more than 30,000 Canadians to be involved in more than 2,000 communities where they work 28 to 35 hours a week for a variety of non-profit organizations.
In turn youth have opportunities to participate in structured, time-proven programs that enable them to explore career options, gain valuable life experience and challenge themselves in ways different from traditional class room settings.
