Media Release
OCRI's Volunteers in Education Program Needs to be Continued, Study

OTTAWA, March 3 , 2004 –- A report released today by the Ottawa Centre for Research and Innovation (OCRI) in partnership with the Centre for Voluntary Sector Research and Development found that OCRI's Volunteers in Education (VIE) program provides effective, efficient, and essential academic and educational support to the Ottawa community.

The report was released at a luncheon today in front of an audience of more than 200 VIE volunteers, sponsors and program partners. In addition to the release of the survey, this event was aimed at celebrating the tenth anniversary of the VIE program while recognizing the enormous efforts of the volunteers and sponsors.

Volunteers in Education (VIE) –- Canada's only centralized, multi-board volunteer program – provides a matching service to link community volunteers with the needs of individual students and teachers. Currently 1,548 retirees, seniors, university students, new Canadians and other community members are volunteering over 158,000 hours annually in local schools.

This year-long study examined the economic, social, and educational impact of the VIE program.

Some key findings of this report were:

"It is exhilarating to have the tools and language to be able to demonstrate the full impact of the Volunteers in Education Program on so many levels," said Paula Speevak-Sladowski, Program Development, Centre for Voluntary Sector Research and Development, a joint program of Carleton University and the University of Ottawa. "Though we have known intuitively that volunteering in schools is a good thing, measuring the value of the magic that happens the first time a child puts two sounds together to make a word, or the sense of belonging and purpose a senior feels when they are greeted with a smiling face, has been illusive."

Irene Cameron, Principal of Connaught Public School feels that "by sharing their own unique history, skills and knowledge, the VIE volunteers help to enrich a student's total learning experience."

"TD Canada Trust congratulates the VIE program on their tenth anniversary and all of the volunteers that have so generously given their time to make this happen," said Cathy Jowsey, Manager, Service and Community Relations, Ontario North and East Region with TD Canada Trust. " We believe that education is the key to unlocking future opportunities for young people, whether they are grasping how to read or embarking on the path to higher learning. TD Canada Trust proudly promotes the education of children from pre-school to post-secondary school by placing its support behind such initiatives as the VIE program."

Sarah Cook, Manager of the Volunteers in Education program sees this report as a way for funders, sponsors and volunteers to know that their investments are making a real difference in their community.

"This study not only validates the critical role that the VIE program plays in our community," Cook continues. "It also establishes that OCRI is delivering a quality program in an effective and efficient way."

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About Volunteers in Education
VIE engages community members to volunteer in any elementary, middle or high school, in either official language, within their local geographical area and participate in any activity or course corresponding to their skills, interest and/or experience. VIE acts as a channel to direct community (non-parent) volunteers to schools across the city of Ottawa.

About OCRI
The Ottawa Centre for Research and Innovation (OCRI) is Ottawa's economic development corporation. OCRI is the rallying point to bring business, education and research together to create the winning economic conditions that allow Ottawa's technology companies to thrive locally and compete globally. At OCRI we promote sustainable economic development to maintain our high quality of life. For more information on OCRI visit our website at www.ocri.ca and for more information on the Ottawa Region please visit www.ottawaregion.com.