It's International Youth Day!

STEP program students Michel Toutuungy and Mélyssa Fortin.

At the MUHC we appreciate our young volunteers who are part of our STEP volunteer program, but they will say they also appreciate us.

In its 13th consecutive year, the STEP volunteer program at the Glen Adult Site and the Montreal Neurological Hospital accepted 70 high school and CEGEP students.  Designed for students who are interested in a career in health care or who simply want to volunteer and learn more about working in a hospital, this unique program continues its success in providing an enriching learning experience for participants.   So much so, that there is already a waiting list for the 2016 session! 

Throughout the summer, STEP students brought comfort, support and assistance to our patients and family members through various volunteer programs, while also having the opportunity to learn about different healthcare professions and develop important life-skills through our “Career Exploration” lecture series and two-day “STEP Up to Learning” workshop. 

For Mélyssa Fortin, she has really enjoyed her experience in the STEP program. “As a volunteer with STEP you are required to give a minimum of 50 volunteer hours, such as visiting patients. Students can also attend many lectures offered by healthcare specialists,” she says.  “The team of Volunteer Services is warm and welcoming and I think volunteering in hospitals is an experience in itself which, for anyone willing to invest time, contributes to growth and enrichment. Overall, I enjoyed my experience as a volunteer at the MUHC.”

“Our student volunteers always bring a burst of positive energy to our hospitals,” says Nevine Fateen, manager of Volunteer Services at the Glen site for adults. “This year, we’ve received glowing remarks because of our Wayfinding program that so many of our STEP students were involved in.  We can’t do without them in the summer months, they are always very much appreciated!”

STEP students working together on a case study during one of our many Career Exploration lectures