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Why Voting and Volunteering Are the Ultimate Power Couple

Posted By Administration, April 23, 2025
A young man attending a voting centre and speaking to the volunteers as they hand him a piece of paper

Estimated reading time: 15 minutes

 

Imagine this for a second. It’s election time, and you’re standing in line to vote in your town’s municipal election. It's less than glamorous—fluorescent lighting, a drafty gymnasium, the smell of someone’s stale coffee lingering in the air. Fidgeting on your phone, scrolling while the line inches forward. But when it’s finally your turn, and you stand there with the ballot in your hand, something clicks.

The names on the page aren’t just strangers; they’re the people who’ll decide whether your neighbourhood park gets funding. Whether your friend’s mental health clinic stays open. Whether the local food bank can keep running.

You cast your vote and walk out the door. But you can’t shake the feeling that voting is just step one. There’s so much left to do.

 


Why Voting Is the First Step
When you vote, you’re not just choosing a leader. You’re setting the direction for your community. You’re saying, This is what I care about. This is what I’m fighting for. But here’s the thing: voting alone doesn’t fix the potholes, clean up the parks, or stock the food bank’s shelves. Voting sets the wheels in motion, sure, but it’s the follow-through—the action—that really gets things done.

 


Volunteering: The Follow-Through
Volunteering is what happens when you take the issues you voted on and put your hands, your time, and your heart into them. You voted for better schools? Tutoring kids after school is how you make that happen. You voted for climate action? Join a cleanup crew or advocate for local green initiatives. You voted for affordable housing? Help build it. Or spend time at a shelter listening to people’s stories and understanding what’s really at stake. Volunteering connects you to the very people you’re voting to support and the very problems you’re hoping to alleviate. It’s where your ideals meet reality.

 


Where the Two Meet
When you combine voting and volunteering, something powerful happens.
Volunteering makes you a smarter voter. When you’re out in the field—whether it’s packing boxes at a food bank or advocating for better public transit—you get firsthand knowledge of what’s working and what’s broken. This insight makes your vote more informed. Voting amplifies your volunteer efforts. Electing leaders who share your vision can fund the causes you care about, remove roadblocks, and make your volunteer work even more impactful. It’s a cycle. You vote for change, you volunteer to bring it to life, and the results of your volunteering fuel your next vote.

 

How You Can Get Started
If you’ve ever wondered how to bridge the gap between voting and volunteering, here are some ideas to get you started:

Vote With Intention
Before heading to the polls, take time to research the issues that matter most to you. Think about how they connect to the causes you’re already passionate about.

Volunteer Where It Counts
Find opportunities that align with your vote. If you’re passionate about public schools, look for local education programs. If you care about climate action, join a local advocacy group.

Be a Connector
Encourage your friends, family, and coworkers to get involved. Share how voting and volunteering have shaped your perspective—it might inspire them to do the same.



Why it Matters
Here’s the truth: democracy doesn’t end at the ballot box. It lives in the hands of the people who care enough to show up—both on Election Day and every other day of the year. Voting gives you a voice. Volunteering gives you the tools to use it. So next time you cast your vote, don’t stop there. Find a way to show up for your community. Get your hands dirty. Be the person who turns ideas into action. Because when voting and volunteering work together, that’s when real change happens.And honestly? It feels good to be part of something bigger than yourself.

 

Looking for more ways to impact your community? You can always visit our Continuum of Civic Engagement to learn more.

Tags:  canada election  Career  civic engagement  community engagement  election 2025  empathy  getting involved  How to get your 40 hours  How to give back  How to start volunteering  Mental Health  Toronto  volunteer in Toronto  volunteer leaders  Volunteering  volunteerism  vote  voting  Youth volunteers 

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NVW 2025 Community Member Spotlight: The Benefits of Getting Your Hours Early!

Posted By Submitted by Anonymous Grade 11 Student, March 25, 2025

 

 Halloween Costumes, Pie, and a Fall Festival

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

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. This is especially true for youth! Although you may not be able to vote, or donate as much time or money, but what you can do in the moment is significant and contributes to the good of the community as a whole.

The benefits and experiences that a volunteer role can offer differ from person to person, but at the core - volunteering is a meaningful way to participate in community and get involved in making change. We sat down with a grade 11 student, and reflected on their experiences as a volunteer through their high school career:

What is the best part of volunteering?
The best part of volunteering is meeting new people! From the times i’ve volunteered, I made new friends from different schools which allowed me to have more connections with people. Finally, volunteering allows people to make new friends!

How did you choose what volunteer role to apply for?
"I have had many different roles for the different places I’ve volunteered. Last summer, I volunteered at a festival with my friends, we were selling pies! Another time, during Halloween I volunteered for the city for a kids festival. I also found a really cool volunteer role for a haunted hayride! We got to dress up and scare people - it was so fun"

What would you tell another student looking to complete their 40 hours? 
"The advice I would give other students looking to complete their 40 hours is to do them early! I finished all my hours in grade 9 which made it much easier for the rest of my high school years." Another great thing is to volunteer at places you find interesting! I waited for some places I had interest in to recruit!"

What is your favourite volunteering memory?
"My favourite volunteering memory is definitely when I was a volunteer 'scare-er' at the haunted hayride. I got to volunteer with my friends - our group brought so much food, we laughed we had fun scaring and we laughed until it was over! I made so many friends in my group and had so much fun scaring the people on the hayride!"

What personal benefits, if any did you get from volunteering?
"My personal benefits from volunteering were getting my hours early so I can not worry about it later and just focus on my school work. I also made new friends that I still talk to which improved my school life!"

 

Feeling inspired? Start searching for youth opportunities here,

be sure to use our filters to find the role best suited for you!

Tags:  40 High School Community service hours  40 hours  40 volunteer hours  empathy  festivals  give back  Help finding a volunteer position  how do I get a volunteer position  How long does it take to find a volunteer position  How to get your 40 hours  How to give back  How to start volunteering  how to write a volunteer resume  ignite fair  One-Day Volunteer Opportunities  summer  Teen volunteering  volunteer  volunteer in Toronto  Volunteer with friends  volunteering for youth  volunteerism  volunteers  Ways to volunteer  What's It Like To Volunteer  Youth volunteers 

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How To Connect With People Using Empathy Strategies

Posted By Volunteer Toronto Administration, May 28, 2024
Updated: May 29, 2024

 

Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

How To Connect With People Using Empathy Strategies

Struggling to connect with the people around you? Empathy could be the solution. When we hear the word empathy used in day-to-day life, it usually reminds us of a certain memory or moment. A coworker making you feel heard, a relative forgiving a mistake, or a friend giving you thoughtful advice. These are all great examples of empathy at work. At their core, empathy strategies are forms of emotional connection that lighten the load of everyday life through kindness .

But developing empathy isn't only for those we express it to, it has benefits for us as well. Expressing empathy strengthens the relationships we have with the people in our lives. Think of a time when you were down on your luck, when you felt alone or even unseen. Do you remember the person who was there to listen? Most of us would answer yes to this question.

That's because showing empathy builds trust, promotes cooperation and even resolves conflicts. Are you having issues with a colleague or struggling to connect with a friend? Being more empathetic might be the skill that makes the difference.

But how can you start being more empathetic? In this article we’ll cover 3 strategies on how to develop empathy. They include:

  • Listening Actively
  • Perspective Taking
  • Self Education

By the end of the article, you’ll understand the value of having an empathy strategy.

 

Active Listening: A Great Way To Cultivate Empathy
What's the quickest way to start developing empathy? The answer is- active listening. Active listening, also referred to as empathetic listening, is similar to the traditional form yet with a few caveats. For starters, it goes past simply hearing the words someone is saying.Active listening pushes us to invest more into the speaker by being present, recognizing verbal and non verbal cues and validating their concerns. Listeners participate in the conversation, but active listeners help guide it.Here are a few quick ways you can improve your active listening skills.

Paraphrasing
If you're not understanding something clearly, say it in your own words, to confirm you're on the same page.

Reflecting
Take a moment to acknowledge and validate the speaker's feelings. This demonstrates a high level of emotional intelligence and will encourage the speaker to share more.

Give Feedback
Constructive responses let the speaker know you're invested in their success and happiness.

These are all great examples of how to cultivate empathy through the power of active listening.

 

Sharing Perspectives: An Important Way To Improve Empathy
It may not be easy, but putting yourself in someone else's shoes can go a long way. By sharing someone else’s perspective, you'll see the world through their eyes. It can give you valuable insight about their challenges, fears, frustrations, as well as other feelings. This insight also allows us to understand why these feelings exist.

Sharing perspectives is a lot like sharing eyeglasses. The world might become harder to navigate, depending on which ones you try. The next time someone tells you they're having troubles at home or stress at work, ask yourself, "How would I want people to communicate with me? Or "What advice would I want to hear right now"?

Asking these types of questions will change how you connect with the people around you. It’s also a great exercise on how to improve emotional empathy.



Educating Ourselves: Build Empathy Through Knowledge
It's not always easy to understand every problem someone is having. You may lack context, experience or the ability to relate. What if you've never lost your job or experienced the pain of a divorce? This is where education comes in.

Education can be a valuable resource to bridge the gap between what we need to know and the people we want to help. It's an empathy building tool that gives us a chance to understand the full scope of an issue someone is having. That understanding can reshape our perspectives and help provide constructive feedback.

 


Here are a few ways you can educate yourself to increase empathy:

Seek Out Educational Resources
There are endless online, and offline, resources to help understand people's circumstances. Books, courses and forums are a few great examples that offer perspective and improve empathy .

Volunteer
Volunteering gives us a chance to engage with people from diverse backgrounds. These interactions can provide a lot of insight into the challenges people are facing.

Seek Out A Professional
Licensed professionals are great at teaching empathy and sharing information about navigating different situations. They can also provide you with more advanced empathy techniques .



Conclusion
Empathy is a skill set that often goes unpracticed. But it rarely goes unnoticed.When we practice empathy we build bridges between people, rather than tear them down. It's not easy though. It involves active listening, perspective sharing and the willingness to educate yourself. But with time, empathy can transform the relationships we have with the people around us. Friendships can be rebuilt, families can be saved, and colleges can begin to trust. If you're prepared to put in the work, time, and effort, developing empathy can be life changing.

If you would like to learn more about developing empathy, check out our
Continuum of Civic Engagement.

Tags:  continuum  empathy  powerofus  Toronto  torontofoundation  volunteering 

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Empathy vs. Sympathy: Differences of Importance

Posted By Cara Eaton, April 19, 2022
Updated: April 19, 2022
 Job Seekers

Written by Cara Eaton and Kasandra James, Volunteer Toronto Staff   |   Estimated reading time: 7-minutes

 

The emotion and motivation behind volunteering are important. They impact how we show up to a role or task, and influence how we engage with an organization’s mission or the persons that we may be supporting along their life journey. Volunteers can hold empathy and sympathy during their engagement but understanding the impact of each feeling could mean the difference between showing up in community as an ally or perpetuating harm.

At Volunteer Toronto, we are reflecting on the differences between empathy vs. sympathy and the meaning of “Empathy in Action” in preparation for National Volunteer Week 2022. Here’s how we perceive the role of these two motivations in volunteerism, as we work to enable anti-oppressive community engagement.

 

Definitions to Note

Sympathy involves understanding from your own perspective. Interactions rooted in sympathy can lead to disconnection, and the amplification of the differences between two people as you look to engage from your own perspective and experiences.

Empathy involves putting yourself in the other person's shoes and understanding why they may have particular feelings or circumstances. Interactions rooted in empathy can fuel connection between two different people, as they are not looking to relate but to understand one another.

Source: Merriam-Webster 2022


How Sympathy Can Lead to Harm in Volunteerism

Many volunteer roles involve supporting people who are different from yourself—different ages, races, ethnicities, gender identities, abilities, socio-economic status, systemic influencers, and life experiences. For example, volunteers who do not experience food insecurity often volunteer at a food bank serving persons who struggle to access food regularly. Today we’re asking: How can showing up with sympathy rather than empathy for service users cause harm?

Often, Volunteer Toronto receives an increase of requests from people looking to volunteer during the holidays for one day at a food bank. This trend can feel like a harmful cycle of those who experience safety, security and privilege, reaching out to help others who do not experience those things in order to feel good about themselves. The level of commitment (one day), the type of volunteerism (at a food bank), the activity (transactional meal exchange), and the service user (someone seeking a human right), is often rooted in sympathy and lacks empathy around how another person came to be food insecure.

Without examining how society has put a person into a position of “need” and others into positions of “helpers” or “savers”, volunteers can develop a sympathetic response that leads to a harmful disconnect with the humanity of service users. Viewing the serving of a meal as a short-term, transactional exchange to be done once a year treats the symptom of food insecurity without addressing its roots or the human right to food.

To exercise more empathy, volunteers can consider the systems that impact the challenges service users may be facing, such as the ways racism, colonialism, homophobia, sexism, and other factors lead to someone experiencing food insecurity or lack of access to human rights and meaningful community connection. Leading with empathy may mean finding ways to advocate for food security rights year-round, in addition to signing up to volunteer at a food bank.


White Saviourism in Canada

White saviourism describes the disconnect and harm white-passing bodies cause when trying to “help” a racialized person from a place of privilege, feeling as though they can save that individual from the socio-economic impact of racism. White saviourism comes from a perspective of sympathy, where the solutions to a complex problem are assumed by those who do not experience them.

An example of systemic white saviourism is the federal approach to safe water access for Indigenous communities. Powerful decision makers, who have access to clean drinking water, have delayed action through lengthy research and assessment phases that last years. Regulations on water quality haven’t been adhered to, and the responsibility of providing clean drinking water is facilitated through heavily administrative annual grant applications that are intended to fix the problem. There is a lack of accountability, action and understanding, of how to truly address this systemic issue which continues to be prevalent for many people living on government-mandated reserves today.

Source: The Water Crisis in First Nations Communities

Examples in the volunteer space include organizational models based on “voluntourism”—whereas often white, privileged youth pay to travel to another country under the perception that people or children living in poverty “need their help”. Volunteer roles in this model can involve building a school, a well, or teaching children—all of which do not address inequities in access to resources. These models communicate only white, North American-based volunteers can provide lifesaving services by travelling to another country.

Another example can be found in the mentorship space. Some Ontario-based programs have anecdotally reported high populations of minority youth seeking mentors, and high populations of white mentors looking to share their wisdom. Some organizations have sought to change this imbalance of racialized representation by researching why male, Black mentors are not filling mentorship roles through their traditional recruitment strategies. Recognizing the value of lived experiences, and working to welcome those individuals in mentorship spaces, is one way to build empathy into program design.

 

Leaning into Empathy and Away from Saviourism

As each of our identities is unique, sympathizing with everyone is impossible – but empathizing with anyone is achievable! Leaning into empathy in volunteerism can help us move away from a saviourism mentality. Empathizing is especially important as many non-profits engaging volunteers, many who are white-identifying, are providing access to human rights (food, shelter, connection) for community members who may be racialized or systematically disadvantaged by racism or colonialism.

What are the ways that white bodied volunteers can put empathy into action? Read our complimentary blog, 10 Ways to Put Empathy into Action for more action steps.

 

Envisioning an Empathetic Volunteerism Sector

What would volunteerism look like if every volunteer came to their role with empathy? What if volunteer programs were designed to avoid saviourism and sympathetic mentalities? And what is the role of Volunteer Toronto in enabling this future? We don’t have all the answers, but we continue to pose these questions to ourselves and our community.

One potential direction could be increased support for solidarity movements and mutual aid groups, and away from traditional volunteerism in non-profits. In this model, empathy is facilitated through connections with fellow community members, compared to ‘help’ from a sympathetic volunteer. We have seen the effectiveness of this type of resource sharing during the early days of COVID-19, however, the sheer quantity of needs that exist in our society, and society’s lack of prioritization for taking empathetic actions (like getting to know your neighbour), means this type of organizing must be supported by real change at the systems level of our social supports.

An empathetic volunteer sector could also see volunteer roles that are dually embedded in addressing symptoms and tackling systems. For example, volunteer-engaging programs would include rights-based advocacy to build new systems that would address access to food, while addressing immediate food security needs. This would require more volunteers to step up for causes they care about with an empathetic lens and actively consider the necessary changes to dismantle harmful systems. At the very least, volunteers should be aware of how to empathize before they are in front of people who face different realities than they do.

For Volunteer Toronto, we know our touchpoints with both volunteers, organizations and institutions influence how roles are designed and what perspectives volunteers hold when choosing to engage with community. As a bridge—and our city’s major educator and advocate for volunteerism—we will continue to take steps to actively enable solidarity movements, build our sector’s capacity to address necessary systemic changes in traditional volunteerism and provide access and opportunities for community members to shape the future of volunteerism through empathy.

 

       

  

About the Authors

This blog was written in collaboration between multiple Volunteer Toronto staff members, namely Cara Eaton, Director of Strategic Communications, and Kasandra James, Senior Manager of Programs.

 

Tags:  empathy  Empathy in Action  How to give back  National Volunteer Week 2022  Questions about volunteering  What's It Like To Volunteer 

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