People Against Youth on Drugs People Against Youth on Drugs, Fundraiser, scam, sales, volunteer, charity, job Scarborough, Ontario

I've been meaning to write this rebuttal for a while. I was employed with this company in 2012 and didn't even last a week. I quit within two days of working because something definitely seemed off about the way they went about things. First off, I was a teen in high school looking for a summer job. Found a job posting on kijiji (of all places, I know) regarding a "fundraiser ambassador" opportunity. The position sounded really good, but little did I know how off from good it actually was. I knew about this organization before being employed with them. I had friends who were employed at their summer day camp and said nice things about them. PAYD was also a special guest at a leadership retreat and they left a good impression on me as well. They seemed and most likely still are, nice people. The job however, was not for me. So I went for the interview and I got the job with very little effort, me and the interviewer were mostly talking about the leadership weekend and bonded through that. She then gave me information about my "training day" and how it would be unpaid. Woop, first red flag. Unpaid training? And oh surprise it was a 8 hour unpaid training day! In my head even wondered if that was even allowed. I was tired of asking people for money and making them guilty to donate to an organization that I'm not entirely sure where/how they distributed their funds. All I knew is that I worked on commission. Not even an hourly rate. I believe it was 40% of what you fundraised is what you claimed. But if you were fundraising with two people (two ppl per donation box) you had to split that 40% of money with them. Crazy.

The second day I worked, confirmed my suspicions about the company and was the final push for me to leave. I was picked up by a nice family to go to the location. It was me and another girl, AND a guy named Shawn who was more experienced in the *art of fundraising*. While me and this girl were at separate ends of the supermarket. Needless to say, Shawn was only there a fraction of the time. He was wandering around the place, barely there. I remember seeing him take a nap at one time too. It wasn't until my break that I remember him actually working. He was stationed with me. So I was having to split the box of donated money's commission with someone who barely worked? Did I know that? Nope. Also I believe that was a 9 hour day. Sure you can say that this company did/does good things for youth and communities. But what about their employees? You can tell a lot about a company by the way they not only treat their consumers but their employees too. It is not about whether or not it worked out for me. Whether or not it did or didn't, this organization does not seem honest. It is sketchy as they come. They are no longer under "People Against Youth on Drugs" and are now "United Youth Against Drugs" probably to evade the bad reviews. But even that new website is no longer up.

Work for them at your own risk. You are much better working at a job that gives you minimum wage at an hourly rate than this weird stuff. You are asking people for money, sometimes persuading and deceiving them to donate to an sketchy organization. I am an outgoing individual and that is an asset to them as it would be easier for you to talk to people and ask for money. If I were you, I wouldn't do it. When I resigned, through email. I was contacted by Reginald, quite out of the blue seeing as I emailed the secretary--not him, asking me why I wanted to quit. I told him for personal reasons. He seemed a bit confused, sort of that tone that you use with people to make their decision feel stupid. Nonetheless, I quit and will never regret that decision. I got a check of a measely 40 something dollars from my 9 hour day. What a joke. Bottom line: Nice people at first, you get taken advantage of, horrible pay, unprofessional. To those who still work for the company and are enjoying this fundraising gig, good for you but you are definitely getting ripped off!

For all the skeptics out there (namely Brandy and the other person who has nothing better to do with his/her time than write reviews) it is ultimately God who will judge everyone in the end. So if you want to spend the rest of your lives being bitter because a job didn't work for you and try and get your revenge by making up things or coming down on the organization, then I really feel sorry for you. 
 
The bottom line is this, what did not work for you may work for someone else.  I have benefitted in many ways through PAYDs programs and will continue to be thankful for the experiences I have gained while being with the organization.

Thanks again PAYD!    

I have to agree with the skeptics. I worked for these people as well and nothing they do is even remotely legal. At least half of their projects aren't running and the accumulated funds go towards the sociopathic CEO's habits and fancy clothes.

I was with People Against Youth on Drugs for 5 months and benifited from their scholarship program, which helped with my university tuition.

- Scholarship program?  Or the funds YOU helped raise for 5 months and only a meager fraction of it was given back to you, repackaged as a "scholarship program" so you wont feel as ripped off.  Listen.  I worked for this organization.  Assuming you would raise $800 a week in funds.  Do the math.  $800 x 4 = $3200 raised.  Then $3200 x 5 = $16000

You raised that much funds and a portion of that was given back to you.  Simple math. 

"I was a Fundraising Ambassador and also got to experience their drug awareness programs, which are offered free to schools"

- It is not free.  The funds you raised go into Reginald's pocket.  So it is not free.  Drug awareness grandstanding for 2 hours in 2 weeks and making thousands of $$$ cuz people like you do the work for him?  Sounds like a great deal to me.  All I have to do is grandstand for 2 hours and drive around in a Benz and pimped up clothes and then make money off the sweat of other people and not even pay em properly.

You dont know you are even being used. 

My children are in the PAYD programs and they love it.  People Against Youth on Drugs is an amazing organization.  They make a difference in hundreds of kids' lives each year and I support this organization to the fullest.  And Reginald is a great guy who loves and cares about kids.  You shouldn't bash an organization and it's leader for being successful just because things didn't work out with you.  PAYD is doing great things in the community.  What are you doing to make a difference???

To "Truth Exposer" who wrote the complaint:  Have you ever stopped to think that maybe this wasn't the right job for you?  Maybe the fast food restaurant would have been a better choice.

I was with People Against Youth on Drugs for 5 months and benifited from their scholarship program, which helped with my university tuition.  I had a great experience at this organization.  I was a Fundraising Ambassador and also got to experience their drug awareness programs, which are offered free to schools, the summer camp and even had the chance to tutor!  I was not able to go on any international poverty relief projects but I do plan to in the future, as helping impoverished families is something I have always wanted to be a part of.  I would have to say that since working with PAYD my confidence levels increased drastically.  I started as a shy person and left (due to school) more confident and open minded.  My experience with PAYD will definitely help me in my future endeavors.

Thanks PAYD and keep up the good work:)

p.s- where one may live shouldn't determine how an organization runs and the difference they are making in the lives of others.

Encourager