Every year, the Kitchener Youth Action Council (KYAC) celebrates the talents and contributions of young people in our community. We want to promote a positive image of young people and generate awareness of the valuable contributions youth make in our community.

On this page:

  1. Nominations
  2. Eligibility

Nominations

By taking a few minutes to nominate a young person for a KYAC Youth Award, your recognition of their contribution and commitments can change a young person's life. A nomination shows them that you care, that the work they do is valued and appreciated, and it just might be the motivation they need to take their community involvement to the next level.  

Deadline to submit is April 4, 2025.
Nominate a youth

Eligibility

  • Nominees must be between the ages of 14 and 24
  • Nominees must live in the Kitchener-Waterloo area
  • Nominees should have completed their volunteer work or community contributions within the Kitchener community.

Additionally, the “Youth Ally” award is for an adult over the age of 24 who is a role model to youth in the community. For more information, please see the description below.

The award categories are:

  • arts and culture: awarded to a young person who has built community through one or more of the following areas; vocal, visual arts, music, multimedia, dance and theatre/drama
  • entrepreneurship: awarded to a young person who has demonstrated initiative and creativity through designing and successfully initiating their own business and/or through developing an innovative product or service
  • environmental: awarded to a young person who has contributed to the community's environmental health and/or public environmental awareness
  • intergenerational: awarded to a young person who has demonstrated a commitment to the belief that the generations can and should be united
  • leadership: awarded to a young person who has shown significant and continuing leadership that improves the quality of life of others and encourages their peers
  • personal triumph: awarded to a young person who has surmounted obstacles with optimism and hope and has demonstrated perseverance, determination and a passion for life
  • service and caregiving: awarded to a young person who has volunteered meaningfully in local charities, organizations and community based groups and has demonstrated the meaning of building a caring community
  • social action and justice: awarded to a young person who has taken a stand to bring awareness to an issue or cause through a positive, proactive and solution-focused approach
  • sports and recreation: awarded to a young person who has promoted health and fitness or has excelled in athletics and/or recreational activities and has demonstrated quality teambuilding, cooperation and leadership skills
  • unity in diversity: awarded to a young person who has made a significant contribution to promoting unity and celebrating diversity within our community
  • group: awarded to a group of two or more young people who have made a positive contribution to their community through teamwork and collaboration
  • youth ally: awarded to an adult who is a role model to youth in their community and selflessly volunteers their time to help youth. Their work encourages young people to be confident in themselves and to strive for their fullest potential.