The Katimavik National Experience challenges young people to make a positive impact in each of the communities while also developing a vast set of skills and competencies. The program brings together 11 young, diverse adults who share and manage a Katimavik house while living and doing meaningful volunteer work in two different communities. Throughout 22 weeks, participants are very busy and can expect to participate fully in the following: 

• Volunteering 32 hours a week at local non-profit organizations; 

• Learning about Indigenous peoples in Canada and engaging in meaningful truth and reconciliation initiatives; 

• Team building and collaboration; 

• Designing and implementing community projects; 

• Managing all aspects of the Katimavik house, including daily meal preparation; 

• Plan cultural discovery, group outings and fun activities during evenings and weekends. 

Katimavik National Experience is a fully funded, all expenses related to participation in the program are covered, including transportation to and from the communities, group activities, housing, and meals. Katimavik is funded by the Government of Canada through its Canada Service Corps initiative. 

Katimavik aims to help youth become engaged, caring citizens and capable contributors and leaders for a better Canada. We do this through the development of 21st century skills, experiential learning, and civic engagement. 

The National Experience is open to all young people aged 17-25 years old. Participants must be a Canadian citizen or be able to demonstrate that they are legally residing in Canada. 

Program cohorts start every January and July of each year.

To Apply, please visit our website https://katimavik.org/en/programs/national-experience/

SEND SMILES AND SUNSHINE:

BECOME A VOLUNTEER LETTER-WRITER TODAY!

Are you passionate about spreading joy and brightening someone's day? Do you have a knack for writing heartfelt letters? Join our dedicated team of volunteers and make a meaningful difference in the lives of seniors in aged care homes in the area and across Canada.  

WHAT WE DO 

We’re an all-volunteer organization that mails cheerful, personal, handwritten letters and cards to elders in care facilities and senior programs. Since April 2020, our dedicated volunteers have sent countless letters and cards in 30 languages, spreading joy and connection around the globe!

WHAT WE OFFER 

• A chance to make a direct and positive impact on the lives of seniors.
• Flexibility to volunteer from anywhere, anytime, year-round as an individual or with a team.
• A special program to verify service hours for students and professionals seeking community service credits. (Separate registration is required.)
• Tips and guidance for crafting personal and meaningful letters available on our website and social media platforms.
• An inclusive environment where volunteers are encouraged to share their own uplifting stories and experiences without making assumptions about the recipient's background or abilities.
• All ages and abilities are welcome! 

IMPORTANT DETAILS FOR VOLUNTEERS

• Ideal volunteer: Writes unique, friendly, conversational letters to connect with the reader and make them feel special. We offer ideas and sample letters on our blog and social media.
• You’ll mail your handwritten letters to one of our partner facilities. After you register with us and write some letters, log on to our user portal to choose a destination.
• We operate on a two-week cycle; please don't sign up for letters until you have the time and supplies to mail them. Every two weeks - e.g. September 15, September 29, October 13, etc. - our mailing list resets, and new requests for letters become available for you to claim.
• Expenses: Postage, writing materials, envelopes. You can send multiple letters in one large envelope to save on postage.
• You won’t know the name of the reader. Address letters as “Dear Friend.”
• This is not a pen pal program; while you may occasionally receive a response, most seniors don’t have the physical ability or resources to write back to you.
• We have no staff, physical office, or phone. Please email volunteer Lindsay for support.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

• Join our team of volunteers and commit to writing letters on an ongoing basis.
• Focus your message on sharing a bit about yourself to make each letter unique and special. Seniors tell us that these personal stories are their favorite part of the letter!
• Limit affirmations and general well wishes, as they can come across as impersonal when overused.
• Avoid sensitive topics such as religion, holidays, health and politics.
• Keep your message positive!
• While handcrafted cards are welcome, they are not required; your handwritten message is what matters most. It doesn't need to be fancy.
• Our partner facilities in Canada are requesting letters in 10 different languages: English, Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, French, German, Greek, Italian, Portuguese, and Russian.
• Create a group activity for your friends, employees, co-workers, classroom or club members.
• Team up with a public library to host a letter-writing event.
• Post our flyer on social media and community bulletin boards at libraries, cafes, bookstores, stationery and craft stores, and apartment complexes.

WHY VOLUNTEER WITH US

• Make a direct and tangible difference in the lives of seniors who may be feeling isolated or lonely.
• Contribute to a positive and inclusive community dedicated to spreading kindness and compassion.
• Experience connection and satisfaction that comes from knowing your words have the power to bring joy and comfort to someone you've never met.

GET STARTED

1. Register with us on our website at https://www.lettersagainstisolation.com/ and choose the registration option that applies to you:

• individual
• student (for students requesting community service hour verification, including student clubs)*
• group

2. Contact Lindsay if you have any questions.

3. THE FUN PART: Write some friendly letters!

4. When you're ready to mail them, log into our web portal and choose a destination facility.

5. Keep an eye out for our email newsletter every Sunday, and connect with us on social media: LinkedIn • Instagram • Facebook 

*Students and professionals requesting official documentation for community service credit should review our Community Service Guidelines and then complete our Registration Form. You’ll work 1:1 with a member of our Student Liaison Team. You will be asked to submit photos of your work for verification. We award one hour of community service credit for every four letters written & sent that meet our guidelines.

Join us in spreading kindness and smiles to senior citizens. Your words will make all the difference!

Poppy Campaign, decoration committee, Colour Party (walking, holding flags and attending multiple events), meat rolls, fundraiser support, and working in the kitchen 

In this role, you will: work with other volunteers to support Auxiliary fundraising goals through customer service and sales from the various operations roles are available in gift shops, cafes, and second-hand clothing stores * roles available at Ajax Pickering (hospital and long term care facility), Bowmanville (in-hospital and off-site), Oshawa, Port Perry (in-hospital and off-site)

This volunteer role will help Lakeridge Health's Spiritual Care by rounding on units to introduce services early in admission and help identify patients who would benefit from further interactions with Spiritual Health volunteers or a Spiritual Health Practitioner. 
 
This role is available at the Bowmanville Hospital.

JA Central Ontario is looking for enthusiastic, dedicated in-school volunteers to empower the next generation through financial literacy, entrepreneurship and work readiness.

Volunteers join a classroom of eager students to facilitate an exciting JA learning experience. Working with students in grades 3-12 (the age range depends on the experience you're teaching), volunteers bring the program content to life and use their real-world experience to help students learn all about these important life skills.

Through our highly interactive learning experiences you will support students in developing the business and life skills they need to build an exciting future. Acting as a resource, facilitator, motivator and role model you will teach a JA learning experience in the classroom. You can volunteer on your own, you and a colleague/friend can sign up together, or we can match you with a partner. We have multiple programs to choose from, depending on your interests and skills.

JA will also provide all necessary training and support to help you you empower the next generation as an in-class volunteer.

The program lasts 6 hours per session, and volunteers can take part multiple times. 

Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind is looking for volunteers in the Durham region, to help with our donation dog program. You would be responsible for placing new donations dogs in businesses, making the collections and deposits, sending reports, and generally ensuring the donation dogs are kept tidy. This position is great for retirees and those looking to volunteer a few hours a month, with a flexible schedule. If you are interested in joining this national fundraising effort, email Jeff at events@guidedogs.ca.

This program allows high schools students to be a mentor and get the 40 hours required to graduate from High School. Ages 13 – 18 years old.

Providing outstanding customer service and organizing memorable events that will meet the quality expectations of the community.

• Collaborate in teams and or with other staff members and volunteers.
• Organizing details such as decorating, setting up and cleaning up after the event, decorating, seating participants during an event, providing directions and setting tables.
• Brainstorm ideas to support the event planning process.
• Ability to carry out tasks with limited supervision.
• Provide raffle tickets to the participants who attend the events.

Our in-person summer-fall Conservation Youth Corps (CYC) events are starting up!

What is the Conservation Youth Corps Program?

Take action with Toronto and Region Conservation Authority’s (TRCA) Conservation Youth Corps (CYC) and earn high school volunteer hours at home and in your community by participating in environmental stewardship activities! 

Visit: Upcoming Events - TRCA Conservation Youth Corps

NEW FOR 2024:

Participants in the Virtual CYC program will gain access to our new CYC Virtual Hub: an exclusive online classroom that provides multiple opportunities for high school students to earn over 20 community service hours, both at home and in your neighbourhood!

Virtual Program Dates

Orientation #5: July 10 | Orientation #6: July 14 – Register for July Orientation Sessions by July 2, 2024

The CYC virtual program consists of:

•                  A mandatory virtual orientation session

•                  Three self-paced modules, linked to themes of biodiversity, invasive species, and microplastics

•                  Fun and interesting extra credit assignments

•                  Additional opportunities to get outside and support stewardship projects

•                  And even more ways to get involved!

Participants will have the freedom to customize their experience in the program, earning as few or as many community service hours as they like prior to November 1, 2024.

Help our renowned Learning and Engagement Department deliver a variety of educational programming including children's art classes, March Break camp, Summer Camp OPG Sunday and more! Assisting the Learning and Engagement Department is an excellent way to learn about a range of artistic techniques and practices, as well as gain valuable practical experience working with children of all ages. Please inquire if you have any questions about this role!

Volunteer one to two hours of your time to help out young moms in the Durham religion by delivering free food bags.

Food delivery days are every Tuesday, where our volunteers meet up at our Ajax office around 12:00 pm to pick up the food bags. They then deliver the bags to pregnant/new moms, and their families in Durham.

The Oshawa Skating Club is proud to be offering Skate Canada's CanSkate program, a learn to skate program that is proven to help learners develop strong basic skills faster while having fun!

Program Assistants help support beginner skaters during our learn to skate programs. Members of the community who know how to skate and who enjoy working with children are welcome to volunteer.

• Adults that are interested in helping out will need to provide a vulnerable sector background check. Contact us for an endorsment letter to get this done for free. 
• High school students can earn community hours.

• Conduct guided tours for visitor groups of all ages, sharing stories and insights about our exhibits.

• Conduct gallery interpretation and interact with visitors during public events, including March Break and Doors Open Oshawa. Engage with visitors, provide interpretation on the collection, and answer questions to enhance their museum experience.

• Interact with tour groups, school classes, car clubs,  and individual visitors, tailoring your communication to suit different age ranges and backgrounds.

• Be on-call to be onsite at minimum 2 hours a week, spending time circulating in the galleries when not giving tours. Work with museum staff to ensure a welcoming and informative environment for all visitors.

Seeking a volunteer with  grant writing experience to assist non-profit in finding funding opportunities and writing effective proposals. 

Duties include:

- Researching and identifying potential eligible grant opportunities.

- Assist President in drafting well-structured proposals and creating supporting documents based on the organization’s funding requirements.

- Submitting proposals to grantors for approval.

Reporting to the Fund Development Team, assist in managing various administrative tasks related to our fundraising efforts.

• Prepare thank-you letters and cards to donors to express appreciation for their contributions
• Conduct research to create potential donor request lists
• Ensure timely and accurate delivery of acknowledgment materials to donors
• Track donor acknowledgements and contacts in donor management system
• Assist in maintaining a donor management system
• Assist the FD Team in day-to-day activities

Reporting to the Fund Development Team, assist in reaching out to potential donors, sponsors and partners via email and/or phone to support fundraising campaigns.   

• research into potential donors, partners and sponsors for financial and/or in-kind donations
• initiate and maintain communication through email and phone
• effectively convey CCD's mission, values adn fundraising goals
• provide information and encourage participation
• provide the FD Team regular updates on outreach activities and progress
• report any feedback, concerns or opportunities for improvement to campaign strategies

Deliver food boxes on Fridays to clients' homes.  Food boxes contain a variety of healthy food essentials, locally made or grown.

Packers assemble food items, organize and fill food boxes on Thursdays.

Deliver meals along an assigned route usually designed to be completed in 1-1.5hrs * Deliver meals to the clients' door.  Have a few minutes for a brief chat.  Pick-up around 11am.

Pack meals in MOW bags in the morning hours

Clean out and sanitize returning MOW bags in the afternoon 
 

Girls Inc. of Durham is currently looking for Bingo volunteers!   Volunteers are needed for a 2-hour shift once a week at Delta Bingo and Gaming in Pickering. In exchange for volunteering, Delta generously supports Girls Inc. programs.   A single volunteer shift can raise enough funds to sponsor a girl to attend a life-changing Girls Inc. camp for FREE!   We are looking for individuals who are: -19+ -have two doses of their vaccine -available during the day 

A variety of volunteer opportunities available to assist with weekly timed 5 km run on the Duffins Trail * marshal, photography * setup, tear-down * timer, scanning, finish tokens * other tasks as needed

TCEP is all about GOOD food, so we depend on the culinary skills of Durham area chefs to help make sure all our food programs are as delicious as possible. Volunteer Chefs may support cooking classes, feature at a dinner event, or support event food.

 We believe that food has the power to bring people together!

We will provide more information on specifics regarding how often you’ll be needed including dates and times. 

The links below will provide more information on our organization:

Instagram:
https://instagram.com/theculturalempowermentproject?utm_source=qr&igshid=MzNlNGNkZWQ4Mg%3D%3D

TCEP hosts both public and private special events including receptions and seated dinners. Event Support volunteers will assist with event preparation including cleaning the facility, decorating, setting tables/​moving furniture, and promoting (if applicable). Skilled Event Support volunteers may also assist at an event to either host, serve tables, do dishes, or tend the juice bar – depending on volunteer training and event requirements.

We believe that food has the power to bring people together!

The links below will provide more information on our organization:

Instagram:
https://instagram.com/theculturalempowermentproject?utm_source=qr&igshid=MzNlNGNkZWQ4Mg%3D%3D

Volunteer Food Educators support the TCEP staff team in delivering food literacy programs at our food education center and around the community. Food educators may supervise and assist in cooking activities, lead group discussions, and participate in all other aspects of program delivery from set-up to clean-up. Volunteer food educators are also welcome to contribute to program planning to ensure our curriculum contains exciting activities, and promote food system sustainability.

 We believe that food has the power to bring people together!

The links below will provide more information on our organization:

Instagram:
https://instagram.com/theculturalempowermentproject?utm_source=qr&igshid=MzNlNGNkZWQ4Mg%3D%3D

TCEP is looking for an enthusiastic person to provide support with organizing and starting a garden including helping with ongoing garden maintenance. As well as offer educational programs in the garden. Our aim is to offer quality fresh foods to the community whenever possible.

We believe that food has the power to bring people together!

The links below will provide more information on our organization:

Instagram:
https://instagram.com/theculturalempowermentproject?utm_source=qr&igshid=MzNlNGNkZWQ4Mg%3D%3D

If you speak more than one language we would love to have you become part of this exciting venture!  

·         If you’re interested in volunteering for any position and you have other language skills that’s wonderful!

·         However, we would still need your language abilities even if you’re not volunteering for another position.

So, please reach out to us!

We believe that food has the power to bring people together!

The links below will provide more information on our organization:

Instagram:
https://instagram.com/theculturalempowermentproject?utm_source=qr&igshid=MzNlNGNkZWQ4Mg%3D%3D

It doesn't require a lot of time or energy to pack food for a family, prepare nutritious after school snacks, or help a child learn to read but it does require a lot of heart. Volunteer opportunities range from program support to assisting with a special fundraising event to simply helping people feel valued and cared for in a time of need. 

Volunteer Board Members Welcome

FOOTPRINTS 4 Autism is a nonprofit registered charity serving Durham Region. We offer respite and recreational programs for families with children and youth on the autism spectrum.  We are currently growing from a Steering Committee to a Governance Board, and looking for new members to join our Board.

We need Board members in the following areas: Marketing, Communications, Fund Development, Finance and Secretary. For a 2-year commitment.

Board meetings are held once-a-month in Whitby. We have a virtual option as well. Members can choose roles in Marketing & Communications, Fund Development, Finance, Human Resources and ad-hoc Project sub-committees.

These roles can be rewarding to anyone from lawyers, insurance agents, marketing and advertising to accountants, fundraisers, administration, and community minded people, to name a few.  

Interested in volunteering?  We would love to hear from you.  Please send resume to:

chair@footprints4autism.org

Have questions?  Call Sandra at 905-420-0388   ext. 1

Members to join board committees * Fundraising/Financial * Policy & Procedure * Board Development

Act as a community liaison and collaborate with like-minded individuals to raise awareness * plan education events * plan fundraising events such as the Gutsy Walk

What you need to know about becoming a Crew Leader:

Volunteers are not required to have prior building experience.

·      Onsite training is provided by our skilled Site Supervisor

·      All necessary Personal Protective Equipment is available for volunteers.

·      We build 12 months a year, Monday to Friday, shifts are 8 hours, from 8:00 am – 4:00pm Shifts are self-scheduled via online registration.

·       Time Commitment:  We request a commitment of two shifts per month as part of the Crew program.

Build Site Locations:

·     423 Old Weston Road, Etobicoke

·     485 Normandy Street Oshawa

·     25 William Street, Brampton – Start date Spring 2023

Position:

·      Have an interest in the different phases of the construction process that include framing, dry walling, landscaping, insulating, flooring, etc.

·      Lead a group of up to 5 volunteers with different levels of construction skillsets, including homeowners, in the construction of simple, decent, affordable homes while upholding standards of safety, quality, and fun.

·      Attend our health, safety, and construction training sessions.

·      Assist in providing a safe and healthy working environment such as: use of equipment, personal protective equipment for volunteers, delegating tasks, maintaining a suitable working environment including preparing for weather, cleaning, tasks, etc.