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Accessing Accommodations as a Volunteer: A Guide to Self-Advocacy

Thu, 28 May 2026 16:44:33 GMT

Estimated Reading Time: 8-10 Minutes

Volunteering is about using your skills, building community, and making a meaningful difference. However, for many people, barriers—both seen and unseen—can make it a challenge to participate. That’s where accommodations come in.

Whether you’re living with a disability, managing a chronic illness, navigating mental health challenges, or need some flexibility due to personal circumstances, you deserve to volunteer in a way that works for you. Let’s break down what accommodations are, why they matter, and how to advocate for your needs as a volunteer.

What are accommodations?

Accommodations are supports or modifications to processes and tasks that enable a person to participate fully in a role or activity, without discrimination. In a volunteer setting and, depending on the role, this may look like:

Reduced hours and/or flexible scheduling, allowing for more frequent breaks, medical appointments, caregiving needs, etc.
Workspace changes according to individual needs, such as adjustments to lighting, noise levels, and other factors that could affect concentration or mental health and wellbeing.
Extra consideration for an individual’s energy and concentration levels when scheduling work. This could involve helping the individual prioritize work, breaking responsibilities into smaller tasks, or removing non-essential tasks.
Adjustments to training and re-training. For example, providing written instructions instead of verbal instructions, or providing modified training materials.
Ensuring physical accessibility, such as ramps and elevators.
A remote or hybrid volunteer position.

Do I have the right to ask for accommodations?

Yes! In Ontario, the Human Rights Code protects people from discrimination based on disability and several other grounds, and this protection applies to volunteer work. Organizations and employers have a legal obligation called the “duty to accommodate,” which requires them to adjust their practices (to the best of their ability) to ensure everyone can participate fully. Accommodations are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

When might accommodations not be possible?

While most requests can be reasonably met, an accommodation may not be possible if it causes undue hardship to the organization. The principle of undue hardship could apply if:

Health and safety risks to the volunteer or others cannot be eliminated
The accommodation would be an excessive financial burden (e.g., a small nonprofit may not be able to afford costly equipment)
Essential requirements of the role cannot be changed (e.g., an emergency-response role might require volunteers to lift heavy objects)

For example, if a role involves climbing ladders to stock items in a warehouse and no alternative tasks are available, accommodations may not be feasible without fundamentally changing the nature of the position. Still, organizations should explore all reasonable options before declining to provide accommodations based on the principle of undue hardship.

When should I disclose my need for accommodation?

You can disclose your needs at any time, though many volunteers find it helpful to do so during the application, screening, or onboarding stages. That way, accommodations can be implemented from the start of your volunteer journey.

For example, during the application stage, you might say:

“I’m excited about this opportunity. I wanted to mention that I live with [condition], and I may benefit from [specific accommodation]. Would that be possible in this role?”
If your needs change, you can always bring them up later. Accommodation is an ongoing process, not a one-time request.

Will I be discriminated against if I disclose?

It's completely understandable to have concerns about discrimination when sharing your need for accommodation. Unfortunately, people with accessibility needs are still stigmatized in many environments. Stigma refers to the negative attitudes, stereotypes or misconceptions that people may hold about individuals who require accommodations, often leading to unfair treatment or assumptions about their abilities or reliability. Unfortunately, stigma can create added stress for those trying to access the support they’re entitled to.

Here's what you need to know about discrimination:

It’s illegal. The Ontario Human Rights Code prohibits adverse treatment based on accommodation needs—even in volunteer roles.
Most organizations want to be inclusive. Many organizations are trying to create safe and welcoming spaces for all volunteers. When people feel supported, they can contribute more meaningfully.

If you’re still concerned, ask general questions to get a better understanding of an organization’s approach before disclosing anything. For example, you can ask:

“What’s your policy on accessibility or accommodations for volunteers?”
“Does this role offer any flexibility?”

How do I ask for accommodations?

Here are a few tips to help you successfully ask for accommodations and practice self-advocacy as a volunteer:

Know your rights: The Ontario Human Rights Code protects your right to accommodation.
Identify the barrier: Identify the barrier(s) that may be preventing you from fully participating as a volunteer.
Inform organizations of your accommodation needs early on: You may want to share your needs in your application, during the interview or during orientation. You can send an email or raise it during a one-on-one meeting/phone call.
Be as clear and specific as possible: Share what you need and how it will allow you to participate effectively. A couple examples:
- “To fully engage in this role, I would benefit from having written instructions ahead of time”
- “I’ll need to take breaks every 45 minutes. Would that be something we could set up?”
Frame your request as a solution: Focus on how the accommodation would enhance your ability to contribute.
Work collaboratively: Remember that conversations about accommodations go two ways. Organizations should do their part to deliver on their duty to accommodate. At the same time, you can clearly communicate what’s working and how best to support you.
Make adjustments as needed: If the accommodations being provided don’t give you adequate support, or your needs change, don’t hesitate to speak up.

Self-Advocacy and Accommodations: Speaking Up for Yourself with Confidence

Asking for accommodations isn’t just about getting support, it’s about self-advocacy.

What Is self-advocacy?

Self-advocacy is the ability to understand and communicate your needs and rights. It’s a skill that empowers you to participate fully, not just in volunteering, but in school, work, and everyday life. In the context of volunteering, it means:

Identifying what supports would help you thrive
Communicating your needs clearly and respectfully
Participating in conversations about potential solutions and proactive changes
Following up if something isn’t working or your needs change

When you self-advocate, you:

Set the foundation for success in your volunteer role
Help organizations learn how to better support future volunteers, creating a more inclusive and equitable space for others
Challenge the stigma around asking for accommodations or having unique needs

It’s important to remember that self-advocacy is a skill, and, like any skill, it takes practice. It’s okay to feel nervous or unsure—that doesn’t make your needs any less valid. You can learn how to advocate for yourself at any age. Many seasoned volunteers (and professionals) are still learning.

Remember: Asking for what you need to volunteer effectively isn’t unprofessional or a burden—it’s a strength and a right. Self-advocacy helps ensure that your contribution is sustainable and meaningful—not overwhelming or frustrating. People who self-advocate experience increased confidence, more opportunities to participate in their communities, and a greater sense of belonging (Tilley et al., 2020).

Helpful Resources

Want to learn more? Click on the hyperlinks below to access resources that will help you better understand your rights and options:

Sources

Accommodation. Government of Canada. (2011, September 21). https://www.canada.ca/en/government/publicservice/wellness-inclusion-diversity-public-service/health-wellness-public-servants/disability-management/accommodation.html

Ascher, M., & Ascher, L. (2023, May 5). How to access job accommodations. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/changing-the-narrative-on-adhd/202305/how-to-access-job-accommodations?msockid=3a2e30ae92456a260fda25e2936f6b45

Duty to accommodate: Canadian Human Rights Commission. Canadian human rights commission | Commission canadienne des droits de la personne. (n.d.). https://www.chrc-ccdp.gc.ca/individuals/human-rights/duty-accommodate

Government of Canada. (2022, July 29). Return to work - accommodation. Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/psychosocial/rtw/rtw_accomodation.html#section-3-hdr

Gupta, S. (2024, August 29). Are you standing up for yourself? It’s time to self-advocate and take your power back. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/self-advocacy-benefits-and-strategies-8697994

Olivine, A. (2024, August 5). Stigma: Definition, signs, impact, and coping. Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/stigma-5215412

Ontario Human Rights Commission. (n.d.). Policy on ableism and discrimination based on disability. Ontario Human Rights Commission. https://www3.ohrc.on.ca/en/policy-ableism-and-discrimination-based-disability

Tilley, E., Strnadová, I., Danker, J., Walmsley, J., & Loblinzk, J. (2020). The impact of self‐advocacy organizations on the subjective well‐being of people with intellectual disabilities: A systematic review of the literature. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 33(6), 1151–1165. https://doi.org/10.1111/jar.12752

Petitions: How a Simple Signature Can Spark Big Change

Thu, 8 Jan 2026 23:17:48 GMT

Estimated Reading Time: 3 Minutes

Picture this: A crowded coffee shop. A clipboard passed around the tables. Curious faces leaning in to read, then nodding as they pick up a pen. Or maybe it’s a social media post, shared and reshared until thousands of people—strangers, neighbours, friends—are rallying behind the same cause. This is the quiet power of a petition. It starts as a spark, a single voice, but grows into a wildfire of collective action.

In this article, we’ll dig into what petitions really are, why they matter, and how you can start one that truly moves the needle. Plus, we’ll show how petitions and volunteering are two sides of the same coin when it comes to driving meaningful change.

What Exactly Is a Petition?

Think of a petition as a megaphone for a cause. It’s a formal way of saying, “This matters, and here’s how we want it fixed,” backed by as many voices as you can rally. Petitions can target government policies, corporate practices, or community issues. They’re often printed out and delivered in person or sent in droves using digital platforms like Change.org. Whether you’re signing a paper at a town hall or adding your name online, the goal is always the same: amplify your concerns so loud that they can’t be ignored.

Why Petitions Pack a Punch

They Shine a Spotlight: When a petition gains momentum, it forces people—and institutions—to pay attention. It’s like holding a mirror up to an issue that’s been hiding in the shadows.

They Unite Voices: There’s something electric about seeing thousands of people stand behind the same cause. Petitions build momentum and create a sense of solidarity among supporters.

They Demand Accountability: A petition with a mountain of signatures is hard to brush off. It puts pressure on decision-makers to respond, whether they’re a CEO, a mayor, or a local school board.

How to Start a Petition That Actually Works

Starting a petition isn’t about checking boxes; it’s about telling a story that sticks. Here’s how to get it right:

Pinpoint the Problem: Be crystal clear about what you want to change. Instead of saying, “Fix education,” go for something specific like, “Add mental health counsellors to every school in our district.” Specificity gets results.

Find the Right Platform: Are you targeting local officials? Maybe a clipboard and a door-to-door approach will work best. For a broader audience, use platforms like iPetitions or Care2 to collect digital signatures.

Craft a Compelling Message: Tell a story that grabs attention. Start with a real-life example or an emotional hook. Explain why the issue matters not just to you, but to the wider community.

Mobilize Your Network: Spread the word like wildfire. Share your petition on social media, email it to friends, or even partner with local organizations to expand your reach. The more eyeballs on it, the better.

Deliver with Impact: Don’t just email out a PDF. Deliver your petition in a way that makes a statement—hand it over at a public event or host a press conference to create buzz.

Petitions and Volunteering: A Dynamic Duo

A petition is a call to action, but what happens after the signatures are collected? That’s where volunteering steps in.

Think about it; a petition to save a community garden might succeed in halting construction, but volunteers are needed to keep the garden thriving. The two work hand in hand—petitions ignite the spark, while volunteers keep the fire burning.

When you combine a petition with boots-on-the-ground efforts, you’re adopting a full-circle approach to advocacy. You’re not just raising your voice; you’re putting your hands to work.

Final Thoughts

Petitions remind us that one voice can inspire many. A signature might feel like a small act, but when multiplied by hundreds or thousands, it becomes a force for change. So why not start one? Choose a cause you care about, craft your message, and invite others to join you. And when your petition gains traction, don’t stop there—roll up your sleeves and get involved. Together, petitions and volunteering can transform passion into progress.

Ready to make your voice heard? You can always visit our Continuum of Civic Engagement to learn more.

Community Organizing Strategies: From Idea to Impact

Thu, 8 Jan 2026 23:18:26 GMT

Estimated Reading Time: 3 Minutes

Feeling like your community could use a little (or a lot) of positive change? You’re not alone. The good news? You don’t need a fancy title or a massive following to make it happen. You just need a little strategy—and maybe some caffeine.

Community organizing sounds big, but it’s really just about people coming together to tackle the stuff that matters. It’s how small ideas turn into real change. Think safer streets, cleaner parks, or programs that actually serve the people who need them most. It all starts with connecting, planning, and taking action—one step at a time.

Community Organization: The Backbone of Change

Let’s clear this up: community organization isn’t some fancy term. It’s the structure that keeps everything moving. It could be as casual as a group chat where neighbours vent (and brainstorm), or as formal as a nonprofit. The point? It’s organized, and it’s focused on making life better for the community.

Effective community organizations don’t just talk—they act. They hold meetings, set goals, and (most importantly) follow through. They turn good ideas into real-world results.

Wait, What Exactly Is Community Organizing?

It’s simple: community organizing is people-powered change. It’s folks rallying around a common issue and working together to fix it. It’s about turning complaints into conversations—and then into action.

Whether it’s pushing for safer crosswalks, advocating for affordable housing, or starting a youth mentorship program, organizing puts the power back where it belongs—in the hands of the people. It’s not about being the loudest voice in the room. It’s about building trust, forming relationships, and moving the needle on what matters.

Community Organizing in Action

Need proof this works? Let’s talk real examples! Ever seen a rundown park turned into a community garden? That’s community organizing. Or maybe you’ve heard about parents successfully lobbying for safer school zones—that’s it, too. Even those local beach clean-ups that pop up every summer? Yep, that’s people organizing to make things better.

One standout example? In many cities, small groups have organized to turn empty lots into thriving green spaces. Simple idea. Massive impact.

How to Start a Community Organization (Without Losing Your Mind)

So, you’re ready to roll up your sleeves? Great! Starting a community organization might sound like a big lift, but breaking it down makes it doable.

Pinpoint the Problem: What’s bothering you? What’s missing? Start there.
Find Your People: No one does this alone. Talk to neighbours. Post in local groups. Find others who care.
Map It Out: What’s your goal? How can you get there? Keep it focused—and flexible.
Start the Conversation: Host a casual meetup. Share ideas. Listen more than you talk.
Take Action: Small wins matter. Organize a clean-up, circulate a petition, make noise at city hall.
Check and Adjust: Reflect on what’s working and don’t be afraid to change course.

Bottom line? Start small, but start. Those small steps can snowball into real change.

So, What Are You Waiting For? Get Organizing!

Community organizing isn’t about waiting for permission. It’s about stepping up and showing up. It’s about turning frustration into fuel and ideas into action. Whether it’s rallying five people or fifty, the power to change your community is already in your hands.

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

How To Support Your Neighbour With Simple Acts of Kindness

Thu, 8 Jan 2026 21:18:36 GMT

Estimated Reading Time: 3 Minutes

Looking to feel more connected to your community? Sometimes, all it takes is lending a hand to the person living next door.

When we think about helping neighbours, big gestures usually come to mind—like mowing their lawn or organizing a block party. And sure, those are great! But often, it’s the smaller, more thoughtful actions that leave a lasting impression. A quick check-in, a smile, or even sharing a cup of coffee can go a long way in building a stronger, kinder neighbourhood.

But here’s the best part: helping your neighbour doesn’t just make their day—it can make yours better too. Offering support fosters trust, creates a sense of belonging, and might even lift your own spirits. Think back to a time when someone surprised you with a small act of kindness—it stuck with you, right?

So, how can you start making a difference in your community? Here are three simple ways to support your neighbours and build genuine connections:

Start Small and Show Up

You don’t need to orchestrate a grand gesture to make an impact. Start small. Smile when you pass by. Say hello. Ask how they’re doing—and mean it. It’s amazing the way a simple acknowledgment can break the ice and lay the groundwork for a supportive relationship.

Notice your neighbour struggling with the groceries? Offer a hand. Got extra cookies from your latest baking spree? Share a few. These little moments of kindness can quietly transform the dynamic on your street. It’s all about consistency—showing up in small ways, over time, builds trust and comfort.

Offer Practical Help When It Counts

Sometimes, your neighbour might need more than just a friendly wave. Maybe they’re overwhelmed with yard work, swamped with errands, or need someone to watch their pet for the weekend. Pay attention—you might spot opportunities to help without them even having to ask.

Think about how much easier winter feels when someone helps shovel your driveway. Or how thoughtful it is when a neighbour grabs you a coffee while running errands. These practical, thoughtful actions show you care and can make a real difference in someone’s daily life.

Connect Beyond Small Talk

Helping your neighbour isn’t just about tasks—it’s about connection. Building real relationships can make your neighbourhood feel more like a community and less like a collection of houses.

Invite them over for coffee. Share holiday treats. Compliment their garden. Simple, genuine gestures can spark meaningful conversations. And who knows? That casual chat over the fence could turn into a lasting friendship.

If community events are happening, invite your neighbours to attend with you. Or better yet, organize something simple—like a potluck or a game night. These shared experiences create opportunities for neighbours to bond and support one another.

Final Thoughts

Supporting your neighbour doesn’t need to be complicated. It’s about showing up—in small ways, in practical ways, and in meaningful ways. A simple hello, a helping hand, or a genuine connection can slowly but surely build a stronger, more caring community.

Start small. Be present. You might be surprised at how far a little kindness can go—for them and for you. If you want to learn about more ways to impact your community, you can always check out our Continuum of Civic Engagement tool.

Why Voting and Volunteering are the Ultimate Power Couple

Thu, 8 Jan 2026 21:44:04 GMT

Estimated Reading Time: 3 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.

NVW 2025 Community Member Spotlight: Coming Together in Community

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 19:29:43 GMT

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. Volunteers and volunteering are an important aspect of community, often filling the gaps and allowing communities to come together to create change.

The benefits and experiences of getting involved in community, in whatever way you can, creates opportunities to unite people across the city and make a real difference in the lives of those who need assistance. Volunteers do so much for our community, and it starts with the organizers and voices who want and are willing to do what it takes to create effective change.

We sat down with Roshini Mathews, a former volunteer and Engagement and Outreach Coordinator here at Volunteer Toronto. Roshini's work and dedication have created a wave of change, and here's why:

What was your favourite part of hosting fairs?
"The best part is helping people connect by bringing volunteer seekers and organizations together, with face-to-face interactions and re-forging relationships. You must be there to see and feel the energy in those spaces! We received positive feedback from attendees and volunteer managers about the fairs and how much it helped many of them recruit volunteers. Observing organizations interact with the public to recruit volunteer seekers and volunteer managers networking with each other... The synergy is inspiring!"

What was your biggest takeaway?
"I strongly believe in 'Being what's needed.' Between supporting the needs of the non-profit community that depend on volunteers for their work and the people looking for volunteer opportunities, it tells us that people need community - to thrive, to believe in and feel like they belong. And for all of us at Volunteer Toronto to be that bridge to help connect and bring them together is something aspiring. That there is always something to learn from each other."

Why do you think the fairs were important for our community?
"The volunteer fairs were a wonderful opportunity for the community to come together. This was needed, especially after COVID-19 where people felt disconnected and were still looking for ways to find connection within the community. Adapting to a new normal, especially in our sector, has been challenging not just for volunteers but also staff at nonprofits."

What is an example of when you saw the fairs making a difference?
The fairs were not just about the showcasing of volunteer opportunities or valuable resources that each of the non-profits provided, but another way for the non-profit community to ask for support and for the public - many of whom that are part of that community to know and understand where support was needed. By raising awareness of non-profit needs, and what volunteer seekers needed to feel part of something that mattered helped make it cohesive and collaborative. These are the ingredients needed to strengthen any community. We hoped that these volunteer fairs would help create a ripple effect by strengthening community bonds, while addressing critical volunteer recruitment needs."

Feeling inspired? Start searching for volunteering opportunities here!

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

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 18:22:58 GMT

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!

Playing the Long Game: How to Donate Strategically

Thu, 8 Jan 2026 22:42:18 GMT

Estimated Reading Time: 3 Minutes

It’s difficult to describe, but there’s a feeling you get after you make a donation. You know—that warm and fuzzy sensation that makes your heart swell. And no matter if you’ve donated for the first time—or the hundredth, that warm and tender feeling manages to tiptoe its way back every time.

Where does it come from? Maybe it’s from knowing that your contribution is changing the lives of those in need, advancing social justice, or righting environmental wrongs. Or, maybe it comes from the simple pleasure of finding your new life’s purpose. Regardless of the reason, it’s a reminder that donating even a bit of extra pocket change can change your life—and someone else’s too.

With so many ways to donate, it’s easy to feel lost. Don’t worry, we’re here to help! In this chapter of our Continuum of Civic Engagement series, we’re laying out three proven donation strategies to help you find your footing and sponsor the causes that truly strike a chord with you. So let’s get started.

Strategy 1: Set Up Recurring Monthly Donations

Making a monthly donation to a charity, non-profit, or community-led group is sort of like subscribing to a streaming service. Every month you can pitch in a small budget-friendly amount, and in return you get to enjoy the impact that organization makes—like a Netflix account but more philanthropic. And unlike bulky, unplanned donations, streamlined monthly payments offer you a bird’s eye view into how much you’re actually spending.

So, you can cut out the guesswork when someone asks if you have anything else to spare. But the benefits don’t stop there—your cause has a lot to gain from monthly donations too. That’s because when non-profits have the safety net of predictable and recurring income, they’re better able to plan for the future, allowing them to continue lifting up the communities that depend on their services.

Strategy 2: Name Non-Profits in Your Will

What if you’ve been donating to a non-profit month-after-month for years? You’ve gotten to know the organization's team, maybe you’ve volunteered with them, and over time you’ve become woven into the organization’s fabric. And now, you want to help them deliver on their mission—even after you’re gone.

This is where leaving your charitable donations in a will can be an effective strategy - it’s another way to help an organization plan out their future. n the process, the organization’s ongoing success becomes part of your legacy. It can also have significant tax benefits because your donation may be deducted from your overall estate after your pass, making it a win-win solution for your cause, and your family.

Strategy 3: Contribute to Your Corporate Matching Program

If you only have so much to give, and want to stretch it even further, a corporate matching program may be your best bet. Corporate donation matching is exactly what it sounds like. It’s when your employer matches your charitable donations—dollar for dollar. A quick flip through your employment contract or corporate policy agreement, or even a visit to HR, is all you need to see if a matching program is already in place.

Even if there isn’t anything in writing—it never hurts to ask. Floating the idea over to your management team could be all it takes to spark a wider conversation, and architect a donation matching program for the future.

Final Thoughts

It’s no secret that charities, non-profits, and community-led groups are the sturdy footing our communities stand on. But without thoughtful and structured charitable giving, that foundation would slowly crumble and the people they serve would fall through the cracks. In many cases how we contribute is just as important as if we contribute.

Strategies that play the long game, like setting up a monthly donation schedule, naming organizations in your will, and sifting through paperwork to uncover a corporate matching program you didn’t know existed, are most effective.

If you want to learn about more ways to impact your community, you can always visit our Continuum of Civic Engagement.

NVW 2025 Community Member Spotlight: Creating Waves of Change

Fri, 25 Apr 2025 18:18:10 GMT

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!

10 Organizations to Support this Pride Month and Beyond!

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 22:41:53 GMT

Estimated reading time: 15 minutes

Check out the organizations below that have been supporting Toronto’s 2SLGBTQ+ community. Learn more about each organization and click to get involved as a volunteer or access services that are of interest to you! Supporting the 2SLGBTQ+ community is a priority not only during Pride Month, but all year round. Show your support by getting involved as a volunteer, showing support as ally, and support 2SLGBTQ+ organizations doing amazing work across the city!

LGBT YouthLine
LGBT YouthLine is a 2SLGBTQ+ youth-led organization that affirms and supports the experiences of youth (29 and under) across Ontario by:
- Providing anonymous peer support and referrals;
- Training youth to provide support to other youth; and
- Providing resources so youth can make informed decisions.

Get involved as a Volunteer here.
Access Online Resources here.

The 519
The 519 is committed to the health, happiness and full participation of the 2SLGBTQ+ communities. A City of Toronto agency with an innovative model of Service, Space and Leadership, The 519 strives to make a real difference in people’s lives, while working to promote inclusion, understanding and respect.

Get involved as a Volunteer here.
Access Programs and Services here.

Pride at Work Canada
Pride at Work Canada empowers Canadian employers to build workplaces that celebrate all employees regardless of gender expression, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Our learning, networking and community events happen across the country, advising, celebrating and connecting the most inclusive Canadian employers. We help private, public and non-profit employers to create safer, more inclusive workplaces that recognize the skills of 2SLGBTQIA+ people.

Get involved as a Volunteer here.
Access Programs and Services here.

Let’s Stop AIDS
Let’s Stop AIDS inspires youth to take action, within local communities. Young people must be given fair opportunities in leadership roles to express their creative skills. Through youth leadership and volunteer opportunities, we promote HIV prevention and positive living.
Learn More here.
Get involved as a Volunteer here.

Toronto Queer Film Festival
Since 2016, the Toronto Queer Film Festival has showcased the film and video art of queer and trans creators. We celebrate vigour, resistance, and defiance over nationalism and assimilation. We elevate Indigiqueer/Trans/2 Spirit filmmakers and filmmakers of colour where others erase or tokenize.
Learn more or submit a film here.

Inside Out Film Festival
Inside Out is a not-for-profit registered charity that exists to challenge attitudes and change lives through the promotion, production and exhibition of film made by and about 2SLGBTQ+ people of all ages, races and abilities.

Learn more here.
Get involved as a Volunteer here.

PFlag Canada
Pflag Canada is a national charitable organization, founded by parents who wished to help themselves and their family members understand and accept their LGBTQ2S children.

Access Online Resources here.
Get Involved here.

Rainbow Railroad
Rainbow Railroad is a global not-for-profit organization that helps LGTBQI+ people facing persecution based on their sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics. In a time when there are more displaced people than ever before, LGBTQI+ people are uniquely vulnerable due to systemic, state-enabled homophobia and transphobia.

Learn More here.
Take Action here.

Egale Canada
To improve the lives of 2SLGBTQI people in Canada and to enhance the global response to 2SLGBTQI issues. Egale will achieve this by informing public policy, inspiring cultural change, and promoting human rights and inclusion through research, education, awareness and legal advocacy.

Access Online Resources here.
Get Involved here.

Queer & Trans Asian Youth
Asian Community AIDS Services’ (ACAS) Youth Program for East and Southeast Asians aged 16-29 strives to increase education, opportunities, support and resiliency skills for Asian youth in Toronto in dealing with the various social/health challenges and questions of being at the intersections of queerness and Asianness.

Access Online Resources here.
Get Involved here.

Search General Opportunities Here

How to Connect with People Using Empathy Strategies

Thu, 8 Jan 2026 23:15:14 GMT

Estimated Reading Time: 3 Minutes

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.

Find a Professional: DEI Facilitators, Therapists, and other professionals can provide you with more advanced empathy techniques and share strategies for navigating difficult situations.

Final Thoughts

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.

9 excellentes opportunités de bénévolat pour les étudiants à Toronto

Tue, 17 Oct 2023 15:37:43 GMT

Temps de lecture estimé : 6 minutes / Rédigé par Nicole Lewis, blogueuse bénévole

Le bénévolat peut être une expérience extraordinaire qui vous expose à de nouvelles choses et vous fait rencontrer de nouvelles personnes. En tant qu’étudiant, si vous cherchez à acquérir une expérience professionnelle, à nouer des contacts avec d’autres personnes et à en apprendre davantage sur vous-même, vous êtes au bon endroit. Voici quelques options intéressantes pour vous aider à démarrer:

Habitat for Humanity, région du Grand Toronto
Rassemblant près de 9000 bénévoles chaque année, Habitat promeut l’accession responsable à la propriété et s’efforce de briser le cyc le de la pauvreté en fournissant des logements aux personnes dans le besoin. Travaillez côte à côte sur un chantier avec le destinataire d’une maison ou rejoignez une équipe de déconstruction. Vous n’êtes pas intéressé par le maniement d’un marteau? Vous pouvez toujours aider le ReStore, où les marchandises sont vendues pour couvrir les frais d’Habitat.

Société canadienne du cancer
Les bénévoles sont la pierre angulaire de la Société canadienne du cancer, qui s’est donné pour mission d’offrir des rôles significatifs où vous aurez plus d’impact, contre plus de cancers, dans plus de communautés, que n’importe où ailleurs. Soutenez la recherche en participant à l’une de leurs nombreuses campagnes de collecte de fonds. Vous pouvez également vous impliquer davantage en tant que membre de la YouthTroop, où votre voix sera entendue lors de l’organisation d’événements et de campagnes de sensibilisation. Vous pouvez même mener votre propre projet au sein d’une équipe de Youth4Action.

Bureau des événements spéciaux de la ville de Toronto
Toronto est une ville très animée, connue pour ses festivals et ses parades. Ces événements fonctionnent grâce au bénévolat et sont toujours à la recherche de personnes intelligentes et enthousiastes qui peuvent aider à la logistique et à l’organisation nécessaires. Participer est é galement un excellent moyen de s’exposer aux diverses cultures qui vivent à Toronto. Contactez le bureau des événements spéciaux qui vous indiquera la marche à suivre.

Centre de la faune et de la flore de Toronto
Vous aimez les animaux de toutes formes et de toutes tailles? En faisant du bénévolat avec les professionnels du Toronto Wildlife Centre, vous pourrez vous assurer que les animaux sauvages de Toronto sont en sécurité et en bonne santé. Il existe de nombreuses façons d’aider, qu’il s’agisse de sensibiliser et d’éduquer le public ou de soigner et de réhabiliter les animaux.

Bibliothèque publique de Toronto
La bibliothèque publique de Toronto est l’un des meilleurs systèmes de bibliothèques au monde. Des milliers de personnes s’y rendent chaque semaine pour emprunter des livres, des films, des CD, etc. Il y a beaucoup de choses que vous pou vez faire lorsque vous êtes bénévole à la Bibliothèque publique de Toronto. Vous pouvez guider les visiteurs, devenir un modèle en tant que compagnon de lecture ou aider les élèves en difficulté en les aidant à faire leurs devoirs ou en leur recommandant des outils, tels que des services de rédaction de dissertations au Canada comme EduBirdie. Cette opportunité est extraordinaire si vous cherchez à améliorer votre lecture et vos compétences personnelles – et bien sûr, pour tous ceux qui aiment être entourés de livres.

Evergreen Brick Works
Vous souhaitez faire du bénévolat en pleine nature? Ne cherchez pas plus loin, Evergreen Brick Works est niché dans la magnifique Don Valley et propose certaines des initiatives les plus cool du coin. Les postes sont très variés: vous pouvez guider des randonnées pédestres et cyclistes, diriger un camp de jour, jardiner, etc.

Centre Harbourfront
Cet endroit est particulièrement fréquenté pendant l’été. Les personnes qui visitent Toronto à l’occasion de divers festivals, projec tions de films, spectacles et défilés se rendront très probablement au port pour y vivre une expérience unique. Les bénévoles veillent à ce que tout le monde s’amuse, à ce que les choses se passent bien et à ce que tout le monde soit en sécurité.

Native Women’s Resource Centre of Toronto (Centre de ressources pour les femmes autochtones de Toronto)
Basée sur la communauté, cette organisation à but non lucratif offre un soutien, des ressources éducatives et des services médicaux aux femmes autochtones. Il y a de nombreuses façons d’aider: vous pouvez contribuer à la collecte de fonds et à la diffusion de l’information, donner un coup de main à l’organisation et à la gestion d’événements, ou guider les jeunes apprenantes en tant que tuteur.

LEAF (Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests – Amélioration locale et appréciation des forêts)
Expérience bénévole enrichissante pour les amoureux de la nature, LEAF vise à nettoyer les forêts, à restaurer les plantes et à veiller à ce que la verdure de Toronto reçoive l’attention dont elle a besoin. Vous pouvez mettre la main à la pâte en plantant et en entretenant de nouveaux espaces verts et en participant à la sensibilisation de la population, ou vous pouvez travailler en coulisses en aidant à leur bureau ou en rédigeant un blogue.

Vous pouvez trouver ces opportunités sur notre site web – recherchez «Organisation» pour trouver l’organisation à but non lucratif qui vous intéresse le plus. Une fois que vous avez trouvé une opportunité qui vous plaît, posez votre candidature en suivant les instructions figurant au bas de l’annonce.

Ways to Give Back this Thanksgiving!

Thu, 5 Oct 2023 19:19:16 GMT

Thanksgiving is a time to reflect, be thankful, and support your community! Traditionally, the holiday has been about spending time with those who matter most, eating a delicious turkey dinner, and enjoying the beautiful fall colours before the fall breeze turns to a winter chill.

This Thanksgiving, start a new tradition and explore how you can spread that thankful feeling and spirit of giving back to your community. There are many ways you can get involved - and these opportunities are available all-year round. Explore the ways you can get involved this Thanksgiving - and beyond by supporting those in your community in a variety of ways.

Volunteer at a Food Bank
Volunteering at a food bank is a great way to support food accessibility for those who need it most in our communities across Toronto. Learn how you can support the food security organizations below as a volunteer:

- Daily Bread Food Bank
- North York Harvest Food Bank
- Scarborough Rosewood Food Drive

Become a Volunteer Driver
A Volunteer Driver is someone who delivers meals to vulnerable populations such as seniors or low-income individuals and families. As a driver, you will receive a route, pick up individually packaged meals for recipients, and deliver to their homes to ensure that their daily meals are safely received and enjoyed.

Click here learn more and volunteer with Meals on Wheels and More.

Donate Non-Perishable Goods
Donating non-perishable goods is a safe way to get involved in community if you are hesitant about in-person volunteering, or are looking for alternative ways to support your community. These organizations below are always searching for specific items - check out their social media for essential and urgent item requests:

- Sai Dham Food Bank
- North York Harvest Food Bank
- Daily Bread Food Bank

Explore Ways to Offer Comfort to Those In Need
Being a listening ear, a supportive hand, or just being what's needed is a meaningful way to support your community and individuals who may be struggling with isolation or stress in their lives. The following organizations act as opportunties for volunteers to get involved with offering one-on-one support to those in need.

If you're looking for other ways to start your volunteering journey, book a one-on-one session with an Advisor or start searching for roles here!

What's New About Requesting Police Checks?

Mon, 4 Mar 2024 15:43:52 GMT

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

For some volunteer roles, an organization may request a police record check. This means that the role has a high risk, like working with vulnerable people or handling cash. This check will look for any criminal history, and the organization will confirm if that history means you’re not suitable for a role. Toronto Police Service has changed their processes for requesting checks with a new online tool and more payment options. Let’s explore the changes:

Online Account

You can now request all levels of police check with an online account. The account will allow you to track your police check requests. Any checks you request will be stored in your account for 30 days. Follow the steps below to make an account.

What Kind of Check Should I Get?

Your organization will request a specific type of police record check:

A Criminal Record Check,
A Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check, or
A Vulnerable Sector Check.

The New Process

1. Go to the Toronto Police Service police check site: https://www.tps.ca/services/police-record-checks/

2. Scroll down to the yellow bar that reads “Register for an Adult Police Record Check Account”. Click the “FILL OUT FORM” button. View an animated GIF to help you find the form.

3. Provide:

Your name,
The city and province where you live, and
Your contact information.
You’ll need to create security questions and answers (for password retrieval) and agree to the user agreement (EULA) and consent to Forrest Green (TPS provider).
You will also provide your consent for Toronto Police Service to get your police check information.
Click Process my Registration.
You’ll get a temporary password on the next screen, which will also be emailed you. Don’t forget to change your password once you login for the first time!
You can now login with your account to make the request here: https://www2.policesolutions.ca/checks/services/toronto/login.php
Once logged in, a new application will be automatically started – Scroll down and choose the check you want to request: Criminal Record Check, Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check, or Vulnerable Sector Check. You then need to provide some more information: (View an animated GIF to see how this works)
1. For Criminal Record Checks or Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Checks: List the Position name and Organization you will be volunteering for.
2. For Vulnerable Sector Checks: list the Position name, and add the Organization Code (also called Agency Code). You will only be able to get this code from the organization where you will be volunteering. The code will include letters and numbers. Next, provide the Vulnerable Clientele Duties and Which vulnerable sectors you will work with.
Click Submit and Continue.
Proceed through the stages of the application. You’ll need to provide more personal information, identification (ID) information and payment.
1. For Criminal Record Checks or Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Checks: You will need a letter from your organization to get the check for free. The letter must include your name and the volunteer role. You will be prompted to upload the letter.
2. For Vulnerable Sector Checks: You will need to pay the new fee of $26.72. You can pay by credit or visa debit to complete the request.
After submitting, you can track the progress of your police check through this online portal.
You will receive your completed check electronically. You will receive an email and can download the check in the Toronto Police Service portal. It is your responsibility to share the check with your organization. They will also need your date of birth in the format of YYYYMMDD (year, month, day) to view the file of the check.

Big Changes

There are some big changes to the police check request process:

Cost: Vulnerable Sector Checks now cost $26.72. You can pay online or in-person at Toronto Police Headquarters (40 College Street) with a credit card or VISA debit. Criminal Record Checks and Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Checks are still free – don’t forget the volunteer letter from the organization!

Agency Code: When requesting a Vulnerable Sector Check, you’ll need the organization’s Organization Code. Why is the code needed? This code helps Toronto Police Service know which organization is requesting the check. You won’t be able to get a Vulnerable Sector Check without the code.

Are you Under 18? If you’re under 18, the rules for requesting checks have changed. You will only be able to request a check if you are volunteering with a government or government agency.

Verifying your ID: When applying for a police record check, you will need to provide two forms of identification. You can find the approved identification options on the Toronto Police Service website (https://www.tps.ca/services/police-record-checks/) under “How to apply?”. The online system will verify your ID. If there are any issues, you will receive a notification with instructions. Follow all the steps to make sure everything goes through.

Requesting Checks In-Person: You can request any check in-person at Toronto Police Headquarters at 40 College Street. The Information Access counter is on the main floor. It is open Monday to Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except for statutory holidays. You will need your volunteer letter for Criminal Record Checks or Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Checks. For Vulnerable Sector Checks, you will need your Agency/Organization Code, vulnerable duties information, and payment (by debit or credit).

More Questions: If you have more questions please read more here: https://www.tps.ca/services/police-record-checks/. You can also find contact information for Toronto Police Service at this link.

More details will be added to this post as they become available.

Back to School with Volunteer Toronto

Thu, 17 Apr 2025 13:46:23 GMT

School is back in session! One of the busiest times of the year is here and support is still needed in the community. High school students also need to complete 40 volunteer hours to graduate.

Getting involved with organizations that support students is a great way to give back. There are many tools and resources available, whether you are a student or youth looking to volunteer, or if you are looking to support youth through volunteering your time. Check out ways you can get involved below!

Supporting Students
There are so many ways to lend a helping hand to students returning to school. There are endless ways to get involved and make an impact.

Support student-led organizations in your community – groups like Pledges for Change are run by students, and work to provide the tools necessary to make navigating young adulthood a little bit easier!
Support student-serving organizations in your community - SLYE strives for increased community engagement and equitable access to services for all Toronto youth!
Volunteer your time for youth – Search opportunities here!

Supporting Students as a Student
Giving back to other students as a student is a great way to support your peers. There are many different routes you can take while volunteering . Not sure where to get started? Attend our “How to Become a Volunteer: Youth” session. We also host several different “How to Become a Volunteer” Information Sessions both virtually and in-person on a monthly basis.

Back to School: LGBTQ+ Support
Providing resources and care to LGBTQ+ students is incredibly important. Fostering safe and healthy spaces strengthens and unites the community , and there are many ways to do so. There are various organizations across the city, such as LGBT Youthline, Supporting Our Youth (SOY), and The 519 doing this important work. Volunteer your time with these incredible organizations to support LGBTQ+ youth!

Back to School: BIPOC Support
Creating awareness and acknowledging our diverse cultures and backgrounds creates stronger, more diverse communities. There are a number of non-profit organizations including: Rest Centres, Native Centre TO, Black Foundation of Community Networks, and Native Youth Sexual Health Network that work to cater to the needs of BIPOC youth.

More Organizations Supporting Students!

Give back by contributing to food security and aid homeless youth around the city. There are countless ways to get involved, whether that be a donation, volunteering your time, or micro-volunteering day-to-day to help those in need.
Canadian Courage Project - Support homeless youth in Toronto.

Community Share Food Bank - Support and donate to a local food bank.

Mental Health
Looking to access or get involved with mental health resources as a student? There are many avenues and organizations that can provide tools and resources for youth struggling with their mental health, or that would like to get involved with organizations that provide mental health care for others.

Central Toronto Youth Services

CAMH National Youth Action Council

Black Women In Motion

Family Care Centre by PCMH

Celebrating Samah: International Volunteer Managers Day 2022

Fri, 4 Nov 2022 17:43:39 GMT

Happy International Volunteer Managers Day!

Today we'd like to take a moment to recognize Samah AbdelAziz, Volunteer Toronto's volunteer manager. On International Volunteer Manager's Day, there's no one more special to our cause and mission. We thank Samah for her time as a volunteer, and now as a staff member, bringing insights and compassion to everything she does. We sat down for a Q&A with Samah to ask about her experiences as a Volunteer Manager below!

What is your favourite part of managing volunteers?
"The Volunteers! I spend my day working through my tasks and focusing on my to-do list, it is easy to get lost in the details. Our volunteers bring meaning to it all, you connect with their passion, commitment to our work, and the desire to help. It is where I get my energy back!"

What do you think is the most important advice for someone wanting to become a volunteer manager?
"Everyone has their own unique way of learning, growing, and doing things. What worked for me when I started in this role was connecting with people in the sector, attending different VM and sector related webinars, getting to know other VMs and exploring new ways of doing this work. I am always inspired by other volunteer managers and how they adapt to challenges and make things work."

What is the most fulfilling aspect of your work?
"There are a lot of aspects in my work that I find fulfilling: a success of an event, good feedback on a session we hosted, a fun meeting with a volunteer team, great learning and amazing engagement opportunities with my team, volunteers, and the public."

What have you learned about the world/the community since becoming a volunteer manager?
"A lot! I have learned a lot about the sector itself and the challenges Volunteer managers face. I joined the sector at a time of change. Non-profits faced a lot of challenges during the pandemic, and now they face different ones during recovery. These challenges shaped my mind about many things like exploring new ways to recruit and retain volunteers, taking into consideration the changes occurred in volunteers needs and availability after the pandemic. Also, reflecting on system biases and embracing diversity and inclusion in my daily life."

What is the most challenging aspect of your work?
"Saying No! I hate saying No to volunteers who applied to our roles and showed up to interviews. Most of the times we need only one or two volunteers, and we get amazing volunteer applications, and I hate sending them the apology email.

THANK YOU SAMAH FOR ALL YOU DO!

Learn more about #IVMD here

Empathy vs. Sympathy: Differences of Importance

Tue, 19 Apr 2022 21:34:04 GMT

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.

10 Ways to Put Empathy into Action

Tue, 19 Apr 2022 21:35:20 GMT

Written by Roop Bajwa, Volunteer Copywriter | Estimated reading time: 5-minutes

Volunteering is about working collectively to shape a world that is more supportive and compassionate for the people around us—and it all begins with empathy.

A quality we all inhabit, empathy helps people relate to others, forge deep bonds with their community, and broaden perspectives. To embrace our empathy and direct it towards action means building a bridge to stronger, more connected communities and healthier populations.

There are an endless number of steps we can take to incorporate empathy into our daily lives to effect change. To scratch just the surface, here are 10 Ways to Put Empathy into Action!

1. Make a commitment

Dedicating yourself to year-round volunteerism demonstrates consistent support for your community. The non-profit sector needs reliable volunteers who regularly show up and act upon their empathy.

2. Get to know your community

When you’re directly connected to the community or cause your supporting, it translates to more meaningful volunteerism. Becoming knowledgeable about your neighbours, the seniors, the youth and everyone in-between, places greater value on your acts and will lead to a deeper understanding of what is needed and the role you can play.

3. Show allyship

Being an ally can take many forms, but in essence, it begins by acknowledging your privilege and leveraging it to support those asking for what they need. It is about educating yourself and taking action to ensure you’re not creating spaces where harm can blossom. It can also mean advocating for human rights—like food, shelter, living wages and community—for everyone.

4. Listen and support causes led by those with lived experiences

It’s important to ask people how they feel and validate their emotions without offering solutions. Your wisdom and words are not warranted in every situation and often support through hearing another’s lived experience can lead to healing. Those with direct experience in a community know what solutions are best suited to help their community thrive.

5. Lead with empathy, not sympathy

These two feelings which guide our actions are often conflated. However, we must lead with empathy, to steer away from the white saviour mentality associated with the idea of sympathizing with disadvantaged folks and that you are best positioned to “save” them. Learn more about the concept of Empathy vs. Sympathy in our complimentary blog post.

6. Lean into the difficult – avoiding it or ignoring it is not empathetic

When volunteering, it is likely we will meet individuals in tough situations, experiencing hardship. It may feel like the right thing to avoid drawing attention to it but often leaning into the difficult can open the space for healing and understanding.

7. Challenge your prejudices

Our assumptions and blind biases pose a barrier to our ability to wholly understand others’ experiences. We must challenge and unlearn our preconceptions so we may open ourselves to new ideas and uphold a holistic dimensional view of people.

8. Change and grow with each experience, reflect on what you can do better

As people who do not wish to cause harm, we can turn a blind eye to an instance when we do. It is key to acknowledge when you have caused harm, not to sulk in the situation, and hold yourself accountable by reflecting upon your actions and changing for the better.

9. Seek ambitious goals

Leverage your empathy to look past conventional hurdles to social change and imagine an end that many would find too ambitious to pursue. Through empathy, our actions together can lead to making collective visions for our society come true.

10. Help others bring about their empathy

Once we hone in on our empathy and put it into action, we should encourage others to do the same. Building a world full of empathetic individuals focused on uplifting their communities begins with the voice of many people. Our empathetic connections can and will translate to better lives.

Whether you implement one, a few or all ten ways to put empathy into action, beginning a journey of volunteerism with these things in mind can build our capacity to work collectively for a greater good. Empathy is a quality we can all unveil and seize to forge deeper human connections. As we enter National Volunteer Week 2022 with the theme of Empathy in Action, it’s only appropriate to ask how can you begin putting empathy into action?

About the Author

Roop Bajwa has been a Volunteer Copywriter with Volunteer Toronto for the past three years. You may be familiar with her stellar written contributions—and creative puns—showcased in our Opportunities of the Week social media posts. Roop has also lent her skills to write content for the 2020 and 2021 Legacy Awards, and drafted a case study for our non-profit Learning Library. Last year, Roop wrote 50 pieces of copy for various Volunteer Toronto programs and channels.

Celebrating the Contributions of Black Volunteers in our History

Wed, 21 Feb 2024 16:33:42 GMT

Estimated reading time: 15 minutes

Volunteerism has taken many forms in our history, and continues to evolve. For many Black people in Canada, volunteering has taken the form of fighting for human rights, advocating for equity, forging networks for mutual aid, and filling gaps in social services for Black communities, to highlight just a few. Their stories are a part of Canada’s diverse history, as are the contributions of so many Black individuals that have been unjustly wiped from our historical records.

Read about 10 notable Black volunteers, advocates and community organizers who have helped shape Ontario and Toronto’s heritage below (Source: Government of Canada):

The Honourable Jean Augustine

Jean Augustine is a trailblazing politician, social activist, and educator. She was the first African-Canadian woman to be elected to the House of Commons, the first African-Canadian woman to be appointed to the federal Cabinet, and the first Fairness Commissioner of the Government of Ontario.

Born in 1937 in Happy Hill, Grenada, Augustine overcame personal and economic adversity from an early age to excel academically, and began her career as a teacher. After arriving in Canada in 1960, she advanced her education and career prospects, participated in grassroots organizations to strengthen minority and women’s rights, and served her community and the City of Toronto with great passion and charisma. Augustine carried her roots and convictions in community service, education, and advocacy as she entered politics in 1993 as a Member of Parliament. In 1995, her proposed motion before Parliament to recognize February as Black History Month passed unanimously, thereby establishing a lasting tradition of celebrating the important contributions of Black Canadians to Canada’s history, culture, development, and heritage.

Mary Bibb

Born a free person in Rhode Island, Mary Bibb became an abolitionist, teacher, dressmaker, activist and co-editor of the Voice of the Fugitive. In 1854, Mary Bibb also founded the Windsor Ladies Club, also referred to as the Mutual Improvement Society. Mary, along with her husband Henry, was also instrumental in managing the Refugee Home Society and distributing aid to incoming Underground Railroad travelers. They provided newcomers with food, clothing, housing, but also job training and protection from slave hunters. This was in addition to establishing a school for young people who were excluded from the local public school due to discrimination. It was in 2002 that Mary, along with her husband Henry, was recognized as a Person of National Historic Significance in Canada.

Lucie and Thornton Blackburn

Lucie and Thorton Blackburn, like many of the Underground Railroad refugees, headed for the towns and cities where they could find work and where they would help mould the character of their new homes.

The Blackburns were fugitives from Kentucky who escaped slavery and settled in Detroit. However, their former owner tracked them down there and tried to return them to slavery. In a highly publicized escape that left Detroit engulfed in riots, the Blackburns were able to make it to Canada. The Canadian Courts defended them against the threat of extradition. This was seen nationally and internationally as a symbol of Upper Canada’s role as a safe haven for Black refugees.

The Blackburns settled in Toronto and, in 1834, built their home on what are now the grounds of the old Sackville Street School. Thornton operated the first cab in the young city of Toronto. The Blackburns worked tirelessly in their new community for the abolition of slavery and to help other Underground Railroad refugees settle in Canada.

Dionne Brand

Dionne Brand is an accomplished poet, writer, filmmaker, educator and social activist. Born in Trinidad, Brand immigrated to Canada in 1970 and earned her BA in English and Philosophy at the University of Toronto and MA in the Philosophy of Education from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education.

Brand has published poetry, fiction, essays, and other writings exploring themes of gender, race, sexuality and feminism, white male domination, injustices, and the “moral hypocrisies of Canada.” She has also taught and continues to teach literature, creative writing, and women’s studies at various universities across North America.

Brand’s political and social work includes chairing the Women’s Issues Committee of the Ontario Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, helping to organize the Black and Native Women’s Caucus of the International Women’s Day Coalition, working for Toronto’s Black Education Project, and serving on the board of the Shirley Samaroo House, a Toronto shelter for battered immigrant women. She has also worked as a counselor at the Immigrant Women’s Center and an Information Officer for the Caribbean Peoples’ Development Agencies.

Rosemary Brown

Rosemary Brown came to Canada from her native Jamaica in 1950 to attend McGill University in Montreal. First elected to the British Columbia legislature in 1972, she served until her retirement in 1986. She also ran for the leadership of the federal New Democratic Party in 1974.

A feminist and public advocate, Rosemary Brown dedicated her life to helping others. Over the years, she served her fellow citizens as the Chief Commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission (from 1993 to 1996), and was a founding member of the Vancouver Status of Women Council and the Canadian Women’s Foundation.

Senator Anne Clare Cools

Senator Anne Clare Cools was born in 1943 in Barbados, West Indies. She was educated at Queen’s College Girls School, Barbados, Montreal’s Thomas D’Arcy McGee High School, and McGill University, from which she holds a Bachelor of Arts.

Senator Cools is a Senator from Ontario. Recommended by Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau, she was summoned to the Senate in January 1984, becoming the first Black person in the Senate of Canada. Senator Cools was a social worker in innovative social services in Toronto. A pioneer in addressing domestic and family violence, in 1974 she founded one of Canada’s first women’s shelters, Women in Transition Inc., and was its Executive Director.

Afua Cooper

Afua Cooper is a distinguished and internationally recognized educator, historian, performance artist, and poet. In her poetry, she incorporates African rhythms and vibes of the Black diaspora which carry a strong sense of history and place, as well as an underlining feminist sensibility. Cooper is a founding member of the Toronto Dub Poets’ Collective, founder of the Black Canadian Studies Association (BCSA), and the third James Robinson Johnston Chair in Black Canadian Studies in the Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology at Dalhousie University.

Born in Jamaica to a family of nine children, Cooper immigrated to Canada in 1980 during a period of great political unrest in Jamaica. She proceeded to become one of the most influential and pioneering voices in the Canadian dub poetry and spoken word movement. She currently resides in Toronto, and teaches sociology at Ryerson University.

Kathleen “Kay” Livingstone

Kathleen “Kay” Livingstone (1918-1975) was born in London, Ontario, in 1918. During the Second World War, Kay Livingston worked at the Dominion Bureau of Statistics in Ottawa. It was in Ottawa that she began a career as a radio host with "The Kathleen Livingstone Show." In 1942, she married George Livingstone, and they moved to Toronto where they raised their children.

Livingstone worked to break down prejudice and promote equality of individuals of all origins and contributed to the development of a more tolerant society. She was deeply involved in expanding a collective awareness and pride in the Toronto Black community in the post-Second World War period. As well, she worked with the United Nations Association – Toronto Branch Women’s Auxiliary, the local YWCA Foreign Affairs Committee, the National Black Coalition of Canada, the Canadian Council of Churches, the Legal Aid Society, and Heritage Ontario.

Livingstone was a founder of the Canadian Negro Women’s Association (1951). An early Canadian Negro Women's Association (CANEWA) undertaking, and one which would continue throughout the group's existence, was the provision of scholarships to deserving Black students. Later activities included the organization of the Calypso Carnival (forerunner of the Caribana Festival) as a fundraiser for other service projects.

Mary Ann Shadd Cary

Born free in Delaware, Mary Ann Shadd became the first Black woman to publish a newspaper in North America when she established the Provincial Freeman. She was also a teacher, who established a racially integrated school for Black children in Windsor, in addition to writing educational pamphlets promoting settlement in Canada, including A Plea for Emigration; or Notes of Canada West which was written in 1852. Mary was also an activist for numerous causes including the abolition of slavery, temperance and education. She also became increasingly vocal about women’s rights, becoming a women's suffragist. Not only did she promote these issues in the Provincial Freeman, she also spoke about them on lecture tours.

Harriet Tubman

Harriet Tubman, a formerly enslaved individual from Maryland, became known as the “Moses” of her people and the “conductor” who led hundreds of enslaved Blacks to freedom along the Underground Railroad. In 1850, when the far-reaching United States Fugitive Law was passed, she guided runaway enslaved people further north into Canada. When angry slave owners posted rewards for her capture, she continued her work despite great personal risk.

St. Catharines, Ontario (a town close to the border with the United States) was on the route and offered employment opportunities, making it a common destination for the former fugitives, including Harriet Tubman, who lived there from 1851 to 1857. Many of the people she rescued were relatives of those already in St. Catharines including her own parents, brothers and sisters and their families.

Later, Harriet Tubman became a leader in the Abolitionist movement. During the Civil war she worked as a nurse and served as a spy for the Union forces in South Carolina.

Read the biographies of more notable Black individuals who have helped shape Canadian heritage and identity here.

5 Ways Volunteering Can Enhance your Job Search

Mon, 27 Jan 2020 17:20:39 GMT

Estimated reading time: 9 minutes

Looking for work can often be extremely challenging and frustrating. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Volunteering isn’t just about giving back to your community. It’s also a great way to build skills and experience, network and cultivate references, and hone your job application skills. Let’s delve into the five ways volunteering can enhance your job search!

1. Skill Development

If you’re a recent graduate with little work experience, volunteering can provide you with opportunities for on-the-job training. If you’ve been unemployed for a significant period, volunteering can allow you to refresh both your technical and soft skills. Even if you don’t find a volunteer role that perfectly aligns with the job you’re hoping to secure, volunteering can allow you to both demonstrate and hone transferable skills like leadership, communication, and time management.

2. Networking

The term networking conjures up images of awkward, intimidating cocktail events where everyone scrambles to rack up LinkedIn connections. In reality, networking can happen anywhere—including while volunteering! Real networking is about developing mutually beneficial relationships. When you volunteer, you’ll have the chance, not only to get to know your supervisor and their colleagues, but to demonstrate your abilities and shining personality. As a result, they’ll be able to effectively assist you in your job search, more so than anyone you meet at a formal networking event.

3. Practice

The process of applying for a volunteer position is very similar to that of applying for a job, particularly if you’re applying to a long-term volunteer role involving significant responsibility. You’ll be honing your cover letter and resume writing skills, as well as your interview skills.

Cover letters are notoriously tricky. You have just one page to articulate how your unique skillset, experience, and personality make you the perfect fit for the role. Non-profits are often concerned with telling a captivating story about their own work, so be sure to tie your own story to their mission, vision, and values.

Applying to multiple volunteer opportunities will allow you to test out different resume formats, from chronological to functional, and to practice customizing your resume to match the position description. When it comes time to apply for paid positions, make sure to include your volunteer experience on your resume. Don’t be afraid to list your volunteer work under professional experience—work is work, whether paid or unpaid!

From brief telephone interviews for short-term roles to formal in-person interviews for high-responsibility, long-term roles, the volunteer screening process will give you multiple opportunities to hone your interview skills. Ensure that you prepare for common questions like, “what do you know about our organization?” and “tell us about yourself.” When it comes time to interview for your dream job, you’ll be ready to answer these questions clearly, concisely, and confidently.

4. Getting Feedback

Asking for feedback throughout your job or volunteer search is vital. You’ll gain insight into current hiring practices, as well as your own strengths and weaknesses, setting you up to ace your next application or interview. Competition for certain volunteer roles can be fierce, so if you aren’t selected for a position, don’t be discouraged! Instead, calmly and politely ask for feedback. Even if you do secure a role, you may still want to ask your supervisor for feedback on your performance once you’ve been volunteering for a few weeks.

5. Cultivating References

If a lack of recent, local references is standing between you and your dream job, volunteering may be the answer. Look for long-term volunteer roles where you’ll be able to build relationships. Before you apply, ask whether a reference is conditional on having volunteered for a minimum number of hours or months. To ensure a glowing reference, treat your volunteer role with the same gravity as you would a paid position—be punctual, communicative, and do your best.

We hope you found this brief overview of volunteering for jobseekers helpful. If you’d like to delve deeper into this topic and you missed our free webinar on the topic, please click here for the recording.

Thank you to Jooble.org for supporting Volunteer Toronto and jobseekers on their employment endeavours.

9 Great Volunteering Opportunities for Students in Toronto

Fri, 8 Feb 2019 17:13:48 GMT

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes / Written by Nicole Lewis, volunteer blogger

Volunteering can be an amazing experience that exposes you to new things and introduces you to new people. As a student, If you’re looking to gain work experience, network with others, and learn more about yourself, you’ve come to the right place—here are some great options to get you started:

Habitat for Humanity Great Toronto Area
Gathering nearly 9000 volunteers every year, Habitat promotes responsible home-ownership and works to break the cycle of poverty by providing homes to people in need. Work side-by-side at a build site with a home’s recipient or join a deconstruction team. Not interested in swinging a hammer? You can still help out in the ReStore, where merchandise is sold to cover Habitat’s costs.

Canadian Cancer Society
Volunteers are the bedrock of the Canadian Cancer Society and they make it their mission to provide meaningful roles where you’ll have more impact, against more cancers, in more communities, than anywhere else. Support research by taking part in one of their many fundraising drives. Or get more involved as a member of YouthTroop—where your voice will be heard in planning events and awareness campaigns. You can even lead a project of your own as part of a Youth4Action team.

City of Toronto’s Special Events Office
Toronto is a busy city known for its festivals and parades. These events run on volunteer power and are always looking for smart, enthusiastic people who can help with the logistics and organization needed. Taking part is also a great way to expose yourself to the diverse cultures that call Toronto home. Reach out to the Special Events Office and they’ll tell you what to do.

Toronto Wildlife Centre
Do you like animals of all shapes and sizes? Volunteering with the professionals at Toronto Wildlife Centre you’ll be able to make sure Toronto’s wildlife are safe and healthy. There are lots of ways to help, from spreading awareness and educating the public to caring for and rehabilitating the animals.

Toronto Public Library
The Toronto Public Library is one of the best library systems in the world. Thousands of people visit it weekly to borrow books, movies, CDs, and more. There is a lot that you can do when you are volunteering for the Toronto Public Library. You can guide visitors, become a role-model as a reading buddy, or help struggling students with homework assistance or by recommending tools, like essay writing services in Canada such as EduBirdie. This opportunity is amazing if you’re looking to improve you’re reading and personal skills—and of course, for anyone who loves being surrounded by books.

Evergreen Brick Works
Want to volunteer surrounded by nature? Look no further, Evergreen Brick Works is nestled in the beautiful Don Valley and has some of the coolest initiatives around. Positions range widely—You can guide hikes and bike rides, lead a day camp, garden, and more.

Harbourfront Centre
This spot is particularly busy during summer time. People who visit Toronto for various festivals, movie screenings, shows, and parades, will most probably visit the harbour to enjoy a unique experience. Volunteers make sure that everyone is having fun, that things are running smoothly, and that everyone is safe.

Native Women’s Resource Centre of Toronto
Community-based, this non-profit provides support, educational resources, and medical services to indigenous women. There are lots of ways to help—you can help raise funds and spread the word, lend a hand organizing and running events, or guide young learners as a tutor.

LEAF (Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests)
A rewarding volunteer experience to nature lovers, LEAF aims at cleaning up forests, restoring plants, and making sure that Toronto’s greenery gets the TLC it needs. You can get hands-on planting and caring for new green spaces and with community outreach, or you can work behind the scenes helping at their home office or writing a guest blog.

You can find these opportunities on our website — search by “Organization” to find the non-profit you’re most interested in. Once you find an opportunity you like apply using the instructions at the bottom of the posting.

5 Animal Welfare Organizations to Volunteer With in Toronto

Tue, 13 Nov 2018 18:37:02 GMT

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

Do you want to volunteer helping furry friends of all shapes and sizes? Whether you are an eager student looking for veterinary experience, someone who would like to get to know different animals before choosing a pet, or simply an animal enthusiast—finding a volunteer position supporting animals can be easy!

Toronto Cat Rescue

The name says it all—Toronto Cat Rescue takes in cats that are ill, orphaned, geriatric, or who do not thrive in the shelter environment. They prepare cats for adoption so that they can find their forever home and stay out of the shelter system permanently. They often have openings for volunteers to help with adoption administration or counselling, drivers, and in their store.

Action Volunteers for Animals

Action Volunteers for Animals works with the community to improve the lives of feral, stray, and companion animals. They are 100% volunteer run and always on the lookout for fosters to care for animals before permanent adoption. Aside from fostering they have a wide variety of volunteer positions, from lending a hand in their adoption centre to community outreach, or even doing research from home.

Cat Busters Animal Rescue

Cat Busters Animal Rescue (CBAR) is a grassroots rescue organization that looks to rescue, rehabilitate, foster, and re-home companion animals. They don’t have a shelter, so all rescued pets are housed in foster homes. Cat Busters often need help with their adoption days and fundraising as well as drivers and even craft making.

Toronto Wildlife Centre

The Toronto Wildlife Centre is a non-profit organization that provides medical treatment and rehabilitative care to sick, injured, and orphaned wild animals found by members of the public. They have many different opportunities, from educational assistants and wildlife care to general support.

Toronto Humane Society

Last but certainly not least, The Toronto Humane Society promotes the care and protection of all animals and aims to prevent cruelty and suffering. Their popularity as a volunteering destination means that they don’t always have open positions but they update their website whenever a spot opens up, so check back often.

You can find these opportunities on our website—search by “Organization” to find the non-profit you’re most interested in.

Excited to volunteer with animals but not interested in any of these organizations? You can find more opportunities by choosing “Animal Care Positions” from the “Category” list. Once you find an opportunity you like apply using the instructions at the bottom of the posting.

How You Can Volunteer as a Family with Young Children

Tue, 13 Nov 2018 18:26:52 GMT

Estimated reading time: 9 minutes

Volunteering is a great way to show young children how important it is to give back to the community but sometimes finding a role for the whole family can be challenging. Most non-profits require children under 14 years old to be accompanied by an adult while volunteering and some may not have suitable roles for children.

If you’re someone who’d like to volunteer with a child you’ve come to the right place, check out these family-friendly roles to help you get started!

Friendly Visiting

Long-term care homes and other senior-serving agencies are constantly on the lookout for volunteers to engage with seniors that would otherwise be isolated. Friendly visiting is an excellent opportunity for those who want to truly make a difference in someone’s life with the power of social interaction and friendship. Most care homes and retirement residences offer similar programming—find one nearby and give them a call to see what’s available.

Meals on Wheels

If friendly visiting isn’t up your alley but you’d still like to help seniors in need, Meals on Wheels is another invaluable program run by many organizations throughout the city. With the help of a car, you and your family can become nutrition heroes for those who are unable to make their own meals. Some organizations even provide a vehicle if you have a valid license and clean driving record! Volunteering has never been so easy!

Community Gardens

Planning to volunteer in the spring or summer? A community garden is the perfect way to spend quality family time together under the sun! You’ll learn about urban agriculture and sustainability and the entire community will be able to enjoy seeing your garden grow. Plus, unlike other volunteer opportunities, your work is edible at the end of the season. Find a garden near you!

Event Assistance

Do you want all the fun of volunteering without making a long-term commitment? Special events offer one-day volunteering options and are often held during evenings or on weekends, when it’s most convenient for families. Search on our website using the event assistance category to check out volunteer opportunities for festivals, fairs, and all kinds of one-time events.

Food Banks

Food banks are always looking for volunteers to lend a hand and are great environment for families. Daily Bread Food Bank is a popular volunteering option, but there are many other organizations and community centres around the city running small food banks that also need your support. Visit 211Ontario to see what food banks operate in your neighbourhood.

You can find these opportunities on our website—search by keyword to find the role you’re most interested in.

Excited to volunteer as a family but not interested in any of these organizations? You can find more opportunities by choosing “2. Suitable for Families” from the “Category” list. Once you find an opportunity you like apply using the instructions at the bottom of the posting.

7 Ways to Volunteer Working with Kids

Mon, 13 Aug 2018 21:55:33 GMT

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

Kids are lots of fun! Whether you’re looking for childcare experience or you just love being around children, volunteering in a children’s program can be meaningful and rewarding. Here are some of our favourite organizations where you can volunteer working with kids:

Toronto Public Library—Leading to Reading

The Leading to Reading program runs in libraries across the city. Volunteers partner with a student having reading and homework difficulties—with your encouragement and assistance you can help them get on track.

College Montrose Children's Place

College Montrose Children’s Place offers support to parents and caregivers. They run drop-in programs, workshops, and support groups—possible duties include craft activities, storytelling, or translation and interpretation. They have multiple locations in central west Toronto so you can lend a hand wherever is most convenient.

Ronald McDonald House

Traveling to the city for a child’s medical care can take a serious toll on families. Ronald McDonald House helps alleviate these stresses by offering a place to stay, childcare support, and a wide variety of activities. Find a program that interests you and apply!

St John the Compassionate Mission

St John’s runs a variety of programs serving kids with diverse backgrounds at their Scarborough and Riverdale locations. They particularly welcome anyone thinking about getting into education or teaching.

NUTMEG Soccer

Based in the Bathurst and Dundas area, NUTMEG is always looking for new volunteers to help organize their free soccer programs. You don’t have to be an experienced coach or soccer player—anyone with experience or interest in working with kids can be a great fit.

Centennial Infant and Childcare Centre

Centennial Infant and Childcare Centre offer programs that help children with special needs. Volunteer to provide one-on-one support under the supervision of qualified professionals.

YMCA Family Resource Centre

The YMCA takes on volunteers to help with their play-based programming for children from 18 months–12 years old. Volunteer opportunities are available in YMCA’s Family Resource Center in the Yonge and Wellesley area and in child care centres in the Halton, York, and Durham regions.

You can find these opportunities on our website—search by “Organization” to find the non-profit you’re most interested in.

Excited to volunteer with children but not interested in any of these organizations? You can find more opportunities by choosing “Childcare Positions” from the “Category” list. Once you find an opportunity you like apply using the instructions at the bottom of the posting.

10 Places You Can Volunteer to Support Mental Health

Fri, 15 Dec 2017 18:13:20 GMT

Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

Mental health affects people from all walks of life and in countless ways. While confronting mental health can be overwhelming, there are many ways to support mental health as a volunteer and make an impact in other’s lives. Check out these Toronto organizations and find out how you can give your time, skills and abilities to support mental health programs across Toronto:

Davenport-Perth Neighbourhood and Community Health Centre is a multi-service agency in Toronto’s West End, providing health and community support services for infants, children, youth and seniors.

Location: Davenport Road and Old Weston Road
How you can volunteer: As a Community Dining Assistant, you’ll help with set-up, clean-up and cooking for Wednesday community dinners.

Distress Centres of Greater Toronto is a crisis support call centre available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They provide emergency support, emotional support, suicide prevention, and more.

Location: Yonge Street and Adelaide Street
How you can volunteer: Provide immediate support to others in their time of need as a help line operator.

Family Service Toronto helps people facing a variety of life challenges, by assisting families and individuals through counselling, community development, advocacy and public education programs.

Location: Numerous sites across Toronto
How you can volunteer: As an Options Program Tutor and Life Skills Coach, you’ll maintain a supportive, friendly relationship with individuals who face mental health challenges.

Abiona Centre is an infant and early childhood mental health organization supporting pregnant and parenting adolescents, aged 13-25, and their babies. Their programs include pre-and-post natal residential care, primary health care and maternal infant mental health.

Location: Broadview Avenue and Danforth Avenue
How you can volunteer: Parent Relief Volunteers provide basic child care while young mothers take much-needed breaks or run errands.

Senior Persons Living Connected (SPLC) provides programs and services that meet the diverse needs of older adults and their caregivers. Services include seniors housing, counselling and social, recreational and fitness programs.

Location: Warden Avenue and Finch Avenue
How you can volunteer: Friendly Visitors spend time with seniors, engaging in conversation and leisure activities.

SickKids Centre for Community Mental Health (formerly The Hincks-Dellcrest Centre) combines prevention, treatment, research and education to support children, youth and families facing mental health challenges.

Location: Keele St. and Sheppard Avenue West or Jarvis St. and Wellesley St. East
How you can volunteer: Research Assistants contribute to CCMH’s inter-disciplinary, evidenced-based mental health treatment and support system.

The Gatehouse provides support, community and resources for individuals impacted by childhood sexual abuse, including an Investigation Support Program, Art Therapy and the Transforming Trauma Conference.

Location: Lakeshore Blvd. and Kipling Avenue
How you can volunteer: Give your time as a Peer Support Group Facilitator, supporting those impacted by childhood sexual abuse.

Victim Services Toronto provides immediate crisis response, intervention and prevention services to individuals, families and communities affected by crime and sudden tragedies. Programs include The Trauma Dog Program, High Risk Support Services and Teens Ending Abusive Relationships (TEAR).

Location: Yonge St. and College St.
How you can volunteer: Crisis Counsellor Volunteers work alongside professional crisis counsellors to support victims in Toronto.

Yorktown Family Services is dedicated to providing effective, accessible, quality mental health treatment, prevention and outreach services to children, youth, women and families. The agency is divided into a Child and Family Centre and a Shelter for Women and their children, fleeing abusive relationships.

Location: Dufferin St. and Eglinton Avenue West
How you can volunteer: Walk-In Clinic Counsellors bring their professional counselling experience to the Family Centre and Shelter, on a monthly or bi-monthly basis.

CAMH is Canada's largest mental health teaching hospital and one of the world's leading research centres in its field.With a dedicated staff of more than 5,000 physicians, clinicians, researchers, educators and support staff, CAMH offers outstanding clinical care to more than 38,000 patients each year.

Location: Queen Street West
How you can volunteer: Apply as a volunteer!

Is your perfect volunteer role not in this list? Most of these organizations have multiple volunteer opportunities, so make sure you visit their websites to find out more.

If you still can’t find the right fit, search Volunteer Toronto’s database, selecting the "Health and Mental Health" category, or contact a Volunteer Advisor at 416-961-6888 x 232 or advisors@volunteertoronto.ca.

What's it Like to Volunteer on... a Non-Profit Board?

Fri, 17 Jun 2016 15:40:00 GMT

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Are you a professional looking to volunteer your time and skills for a cause you feel passionate about? Are you looking for a volunteer role with more accountability that leverages your knowledge and experience? Are you looking to take your strategic thinking, communication, and planning skills to the next level?

If any of these scenarios resonate with you, non-profit board opportunities may be an excellent next step. Every non-profit has a group of volunteers know as a Board of Directors who collectively oversee the organization’s mission, strategic objectives, and financial and human resources. Whilst board roles can be a great leadership volunteer opportunity, they can be significantly different based on the size and structure of the non-profit organization and tend to require both a long-term commitment and a notable dedication of time and effort.

Rhema Kang

We spoke to Toronto lawyer, Rhema Kang, about her experience sitting on the board of the Chinese Canadian National Council of Toronto (CCNCTO), an organization of Chinese Canadians in the City of Toronto that promotes equity, social justice, inclusive civic participation, and respect for diversity.

How long have you volunteered with CCNCTO?

I have volunteered as a director for the past year, prior to that I spent 3 years on the board of English Language Tutoring for the Ottawa Community (ELTOC), a non-profit organization that provides home tutoring for adult immigrants who cannot attend regular English programs.

How would you describe your board role?

As a director, I attend monthly board meetings to decide on governance, funding, engagement, activities, and more. My role mainly focuses on the ‘big picture’ of the organization, although I sometimes get involved in the day-to-day aspects.

Was training provided for your role?

There was no training provided, but my legal background has definitely helped me understand the duties and responsibilities of directors, as well as the laws that govern non-profit organizations. However, I think anyone who brings passion and a willingness to learn and invest time into an organization can succeed as a director of a board.

What is the time commitment involved on your board?

About 10 hours per month, mostly spent in board meetings and occasionally at events with CCNCTO members.

What common misconceptions do people have about board volunteering?

People often assume you need to be an established professional to become a director of a non-profit board. While this may be true for some large non-profits, there are many small charities looking for committed directors with diverse talents and perspectives. I joined my first board when I was 24 years old, and most of the other directors were middle-aged or older. There was an opportunity for me to use my experience with social media to help the organization, which is something the other directors did not have much familiarity with. So diverse skills are definitely in demand.

What do you like most about volunteering for Chinese Canadian National Council of Toronto (CCNCTO)?

CCNCTO is an advocacy organization that was originally founded to seek redress from the Chinese Head Tax imposed on Chinese migrant workers. Since then, CCNCTO has evolved into an organization that promotes equity, civil participation and respect for diversity. I've had the opportunity to play a role in defining the mission and vision of the organization as it goes forward. I'm encouraged to see the ways in which the organization sends a powerful message to members of the Chinese community - I was recently part of an event at City Hall where many Chinese seniors were excited to be taking selfies with Mayor John Tory!

What advice do you have for anyone interested in volunteering on a non-profit board?

Get to know the organization before becoming a board member. If you’re already involved with the organization as a volunteer, you'll know the day-to-day operations, as well as the challenges and opportunities. This knowledge will make your contribution as a board member that much stronger. Start with a small organization you're familiar with, and this will open up opportunities to work with other boards down the road.

Want to Learn More?

Please click here to discover our Becoming a Board Member online course and webinars, as well as our Board Governance Essentials webinars.

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

Mon, 18 Jan 2016 16:12:30 GMT

“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.