student volunteer connections

our logo

In 2009, SVC took on a new brand, ambition, and attitude in order to be more effective for the students and community of Guelph. Our new look has assisted us in bringing forth exciting new programs and campaigns to the students of the University of Guelph and the Guelph/Wellington Community.

explained

The logo energetically represents SVC connecting a student to volunteerism. The student ambitously leaping forward, ready to take action, is connected to volunteerism, indicated by three green petals of the Shasta daisy, the national flower of volunteerism. The three petals represents the three regions SVC helps build community in; the University, the Guelph/Wellington County, and beyond.

The Shasta Daisy is viewed as a strong symbol of volunteerism. Introduced as the national flower of volunteerism during the International Year of the Volunteer (2001), the Shasta Daisy is a perennial flower which returns annually, keeps growing in size, and even after being seperated and replanted, continues to flourish. This easy-to-grow popular wild flower can reside in all regions of North America and can be planted in either spring or fall in almost any soil. Growth is slow in the first year but rapidly speeds up in the years following.

SVC has chosen to compliment the City of Guelph's official colours of green and blue. With over 100 collaborative efforts with community-benefit organizations in the community of Guelph/Wellington, we are connecting students all over the city who are leaving a positive impact. We find it important to represent how highly we respect and indulge in the many opportunities Guelph has to offer.

our story

the milestones		the look
1967|	The student-run Newman Club recognized a real need at the University of Guelph campus and in the greater Guelph community for student volunteers. With this need in mind, the students approached Rev. F. Whelan, the Catholic chaplain on campus, and with his aid, the HELP program was founded. Named after the Beatles 1965 No.1 hit single, HELP was a student organization that challenged students to take social action in the community with a few organizations, primarily schools and senior homes.	1967 - 1985 1985 - 1995 1995 - 2001 2001 - 2008 2008 - 2009 2009 - current
1968|	HELP's ‘social action now’ program was created. The first thing on the agenda, raising $5,000 to build, open, and maintain in partnership with the Guelph Reform Church, ‘the Torch’, a drop-in centre for at-risk youth. 1968 UoG News Bulletin [PDF]
1976|	HELP grew significantly and became embedded into the University of Guelph's culture. Over 200 students were utilizing HELP and were consistently volunteering within the community. Students filled the needs for key areas such as tutoring, helping special needs children and adults, and volunteering at senior homes.
1985|	The Central Student Association club ‘HELP’ was renamed to Volunteer Connections to better represent its services and programming.
1987|	Student Volunteer Connections of Guelph incorporates, gaining the status of a government-registered not-for-profit organization, and becomes Canada's first and only student volunteer centre.
2001|	Celebrating the International Year of the Volunteer, the interactive Community Action Network, (iCAN) is officially launched in collaboration with Student Life and the Centre for International Programmes.
2002|	SVC celebrates 35 years of igniting and connecting students to the Guelph and Wellington Community through volunteerism.
2006|	The first Positive Social Action Conference is implemented with great results! Craig Keilburger, world-renown Child Activist and founder of Free the Children, delivers a powerful and insightful keynote speech.
2009|	The Social Action Series offers more outreach, opportunities, and awareness of volunteer placements and organizations in Guelph.
today|	As the only government-registered student volunteer centre in Canada, SVC celebrates its 45th year of operation with new and improved programming, services, and collaborations that promote social action, student volunteerism, and community.