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We all want to do great things. This blog with help you think about the ways you can achieve greatness through volunteering.

 

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NVW 2025 Community Member Spotlight: Creating Waves of Change
Posted By Cara Eaton, March 4, 2025
Updated: April 25, 2025
 
 National Volunteer Week 2025, Volunteers Make Waves with Volunteer Canada Logo

 

   Happy National Volunteer Week!

This year's theme, Volunteers Make Waves, is about volunteers contributing to making a change, no matter how small or big - the actions of the collective come together to create a wave of change in our community.National Volunteer Week is annual celebration of volunteers and how they give back to our community. This National Volunteer Week, the theme is Volunteers Make Waves. We've sat down with Alexander Paul Burton, a community member giving back and creating waves everyday.

 

The Power of Giving Back
For me, giving back is not just about making a donation—it’s about showing up for others, sharing what I can, and inspiring others to do the same. Over the years, I’ve supported mental health organizations like the Centre for Grief and Healing in Mississauga and have volunteered in a variety of capacities. Volunteering for mental health is especially close to my heart because it’s a reminder that we all have a role to play in supporting one another.

 

"Volunteering has been a grounding force in my life. It reminds me of the importance of being present and of the incredible impact that even small acts of kindness can have."

 

“The world can often feel divided, but it’s in those moments of giving, of showing up, that we realize we are stronger together. I want to inspire others—especially within my community—to take action and give what they can. Even the smallest gesture can make a difference.”

- Alexander Paul Burton

  

 

Why I Give
Volunteering at Allan Gardens Food Bank has also been a deeply rewarding experience. This food bank is an amazing resource for those in need, offering not just food, but also a sense of community for individuals who may feel isolated or forgotten. I’m proud to support such a remarkable organization that does so much good in the heart of Toronto. But beyond the financial donation, being there in person, helping hand out food and talking with people, has shown me the true power of community and how important it is to give what we can.


Mental Health and Volunteering: A Personal Connection
Mental health has been a key focus in my advocacy work, and volunteering in this space has helped me just as much as it’s helped others. As someone who works in an industry that can often feel isolating or stressful, I’ve learned that giving back provides a sense of purpose and connection that is vital to my well-being. Helping others who are struggling with mental health challenges allows me to better understand my own, and it gives me an opportunity to make a meaningful impact, even in small ways.

 

This winter, as the need for support increases, I encourage you to think about how you can give back. Whether it’s donating your time, resources, or simply spreading kindness, there are many ways we can all help others during this season. Even a small action can create a ripple effect of positivity that touches many lives.

 

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Let’s all continue to make a difference, together!

 

With warmth and gratitude,

Alex (He/Him)

 

Alexander Paul Burton has contributed to fundraising initiatives for various causes, including medical research and community development. He advocates for volunteerism and community engagement, encouraging people to participate in local initiatives. He volunteers at the Allan Gardens Food Bank in Toronto, assisting with food distribution and community support services. 

  

 

Are you a LGBTQ+ Artist looking to amplify your music and advocacy? The OUTLINE award celebrates meaningful contributions to LGBT+ advocacy and artistic excellence, no matter where an artist is based. LGBTQ+ award for marginalized and underrepresented musicians called OUTLINE. 

Apply by June 1, 2025 for consideration!


  

Tags:  applying to volunteer  give back  How to give back  How to start volunteering  Make a Difference  National Volunteer Week 2022  Toronto  Toronto volunteers  types of volunteer positions  volunteer  volunteer in Toronto  Volunteering  Ways to volunteer 

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Working With Volunteers: Forging Long Term Collaboration
Posted By Administration, August 16, 2024
 Banner showcasing diverse volunteers interacting

Estimated reading time: 15 minutes

It's two weeks before Thanksgiving and you can't wait to volunteer at this year's local food drive. It's hard to forget the feeling of working with volunteers at last year's event. You remember the endless waves of people dropping off donations they collected. Rows of volunteers packing and sorting thanksgiving goodies into every box. And fleets of delivery drivers ready to deliver holiday happiness to a family in need.

But what if that complex network of volunteers struggled to work together? What if there was a gap in communication or an unforeseen road block between teams? And how would these things impact the cause you're volunteering for? This is why collaboration between volunteers is so important. Collaboration is what helps us navigate the unexpected hurdles that pop up while serving your cause. Need to boost your productivity or develop a new recruitment strategy? A synergetic team of volunteers will muster together the results you're looking for. 

So how can you pump up your team's sense of collaboration? In this article of our our Continuum of Civic Engagement series, we'll walk you through the top 3 strategies to level up collaboration across your volunteering teams.


Clear Communication Channels 
You know those moments when you need a solution, but can't reach the person who has it? That's how many new volunteers feel when they're starting out. Jumping from volunteer to volunteer looking for answers to the roadblocks holding back their productivity. And it doesn't just frustrate the volunteers desperate for help. It also slows down other team members from wrapping up their tasks. 

So how can you address this? The answer is simple. You need a solid and clear communication channel to stay ahead of the problems your volunteers run into. Team group chats, direct response inboxes or even handing out your phone number could do the trick. As long as volunteers can grab the person they're searching for in real-time, that's all that matters. 

 

The Power of Training and Development
Working with volunteers is a lot like building a house. Before you can start you need to lay down a solid foundation. And in the world of volunteerism, training is that foundation. Training and development can do a lot for your volunteer organization or cause. It drives efficiency, bumps up productivity and lays out expectations. But it also takes volunteers by the hand and walks them through the process of working together.

With training and development sessions volunteers get a chance to know each other. Share stories of how they got started, and bond over the cause they've dedicated so much of their life to. For so many reasons, training and development can open the doorway to life-long collaboration between volunteers.

 

Encourage Teamwork
If you're a volunteer manager you have a lot on the go. Recruitment visits, onboarding lessons, and scheduling take up most of your time. So you don't have time to monitor a communication channel or architect new training and development sessions. If you find yourself in this situation, don't worry, there's one last bow left in your quiver.

You can sit back, and trust your volunteers to take newcomers under their wing. Remember, your volunteers love the cause they serve. They've dedicated years of their life to drive it forward and help it reach new heights. And often, they're bursting at the seams to help out a fellow volunteer enthusiast. So have a little faith in your volunteer team and help them help each other. 

Conclusion
Building a collaborative environment among volunteers is like putting together a puzzle. At first it's hard to know where everything should go. But with a little effort from everyone involved, you can create a beautiful picture. And including systems like communication channels and training sessions can help.

That's because they open up doors for real time responses and meaningful connections. Driving your cause forward and with less day-to-day friction slowing your organization down. And if you're tight on time, or strapped for resources, you can always depend on your team to lend a helping hand to a fellow volunteer in need.

Together, these tactics can forge a strong and unified team of volunteers to power your organization goals. But if you want to learn more about fostering collaboration amongst your volunteers, you can always visit our Continuum of Civic Engagement to learn more.

Tags:  applying to volunteer  give back  Help finding a volunteer position  how do I get a volunteer position  How to start volunteering  how to volunteer  How to volunteer in Toronto  Questions about volunteering  types of volunteer positions  volunteer  volunteer in Toronto  volunteer leaders  Volunteer questions  Volunteering  volunteering for youth  volunteering in Toronto  Ways to volunteer  What's It Like To Volunteer  Youth volunteers 

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How Do I Apply to Volunteer if I Don't Have Work Experience?

Posted By Volunteer Toronto, January 18, 2016
 "> Ask Kelly Banner

 

“Ask Us” is our blog series aimed at answering your most pressing volunteer questions. Got a burning question? We're here to help!

Submit your question to info@volunteertoronto.ca - subject line: Ask Us


 

Hello Volunteer Toronto,

My name is Jian and I am in grade 10. I want to volunteer and get my 40 hours, but I am unsure where to start especially because I’ve never worked or volunteered anywhere before. What is the best way for me to find a volunteer position? I’ve noticed some places ask for resumes, but since I don’t have any experience, what can I send in?

- Jian

 


Hello Jian,

Thank you so much for your letter and your question! We're really glad to hear you want to volunteer and get your 40 hours! Volunteering can be fun, a great way to meet new people and it could give you some experience to put on your resume. 

The best way for you to start looking for positions is to go to our website at www.volunteertoronto.ca/opportunities and search by Category “1. Suitable for Youth (14-17)”. That will bring up any positions that are looking for youth volunteers. Please know that new positions are being posted every day!

 

 

 

When you find a position title that appeals to you, click on it and you’ll find more information about the position. At the bottom you’ll find a section that says “How to Apply/Contact” follow those instructions to contact the organization directly.

You are right that sometimes in the “How to Apply/Contact” section, an organization will ask for a resume. Since you don’t have any experience, we would encourage you to draft a document that highlights your major achievements, your top skills and the things you are interested in. Or if you’d like to try writing a resume, this article gives some fantastic tips for high school students with no experience. Remember, just because you don’t have formal experience, you still have a lot to offer! Make sure to make it look professional and check for spelling and grammar.

In your application, we encourage you to also include a paragraph or cover letter that explains your interest in the position and the skills you have to offer. Why do you want to volunteer for that organization in particular? What are you great at?

If you need any additional help, Jian, feel free to contact one of our volunteer advisors who will be more than happy to help.

 

Tags:  40 volunteer hours  applying to volunteer  how do I get a volunteer position  how to volunteer  how to write a volunteer resume  Volunteer questions 

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