Searching for Volunteer Centres

Collects and maintains online database of volunteer opportunities in the Region of Durham

Professional networking body that supports members, provides education, identifies and responds to current trends in the volunteer administration sector and encourages volunteerism across Durham Region

• opportunity for those engaging volunteers to network with one another
• hear from informative guest speakers
• access resources across the sector

Client services include information and referral, short term supportive counselling and psychotherapy, case management, and wrap-around mental health supports and services for youth in ethnospecific communities (Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Cambodian newcomer youth)

• advocacy
• leadership and life skills training
• supportive housing program
• peer support and self help groups
• support groups for family members
• psychosocial recreation and education activities
• volunteer development

Brief Therapy Service
Drop-in single session counselling to address concerns such as parent-child conflict, difficulties at school, behaviour management, peer problems, separation and divorce, psycho-social adjustment, anxiety, depression, newcomer issues

• referrals to services in the community

General community education
Holistic health education, mental health promotion, and consultation and educational services to agencies and professionals on ethnospecific mental health issues

Umbrella organization

• advocacy
• research on community development
• community social planning
• coalition building
• member services include counselling, support, training, information exchange
• referrals for the general community to service providers
• youth leadership training
• volunteer development
• anti-racism activities

Youth, seniors, women's programs and workshops offered by partner agencies

COVID19 Meetings temporarily suspended. Visit website for updated information

Professional membership association that promotes effective management of volunteer services in the Greater Peterborough Area through communication, networking, and professional development opportunities.

• Offers mentoring and links with provincial and national volunteer organizations.

Immigrant Resource Centre -- multiservice centre with newcomer, job seeker and family services for all ages

Settlement and Employment Services

• information and referral
• orientation, needs assessment
• translation and interpretation
• supportive counselling
• bridging services
• form filling
• workshops and tours
• seasonal income tax clinic

Community Connections Mentorship Program

• group activities for newly arrived immigrants and refugees of all ages to help orient them to their new community and establish social and professional networks
• trained and experienced volunteer mentors assist, with focus on citizenship and civic engagement or skills and career development - contact 416-940-3360

Professional Development and Small Business Resource Centre

• walk-in centre
• resource materials for internationally trained professionals
• business information
• referrals

Settlement and Integration Resource Centre

• drop-in centre providing settlement and integration information and resources
• access to computers, Internet

Settlement and Education Partnerships in Toronto (SEPT) (Settlement Workers in Schools)

• outreach program based in elementary and secondary schools from mid-August to end of June, and in libraries and summer school programs from July to mid-August
• homework club
• multi-languages service in North York area, connecting parents and students with the schools, parent interviews with schools, parenting group sessions, settlement information sessions - contact 416-292-7510 ext 301

Employment Resource Centre

• walk-in job search centre
• access to computers, Internet, fax, photocopier, telephone
• staff assistance available
• resource materials
• job boards
• labour market information
• resume clinics
• mock interviews
• workshops

Early Years Services

• EarlyON Child and Family Centre, preschool education program for children and their parents
• social and learning skills for preschool children
• parenting education
• parent-child interactive activities

Children and Youth Programs

• after school program
• summer camp
• Saturday enrichment classes
• leadership and life skills training, homework help
• employment readiness

Seniors and Family Programs

• form filling
• supportive counselling
• client intervention assistance
• social, educational and recreational programs
• support groups
• health information workshops

Volunteer Services

• training and development
• placements
• public education

Community Kitchen including

• food skills training programs
• also facility or hall rentals

COVID19

• drop-in and group services have resumed
• appointment preferred
• masking is not mandatory but suggested for all visitors
• people who have symptoms of illness are urged to wear masks or access services online.

Family Services -- family life education and counselling

Older Adult Services

• life skills training
• exercise groups
• educational workshops
• volunteering

Youth Programs

• weekly drop-in
• life skills training
• recreational activities

Community Development

• volunteer recruitment and training
• outreach and networking
• advocacy
• cultural activities, interest groups

Committed to building community and improving the local quality of life. United Way is directed by and depends upon community volunteers.

• conducts an annual campaign that raises money to fund local human services delivered by 20 Partner Agencies
• offers a variety of community-based programs and annual events

Connect volunteers and organizations through an online platform

Client services include information and referral, short term supportive counselling and psychotherapy, case management, and wrap-around mental health supports and services for youth in ethnospecific communities (Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Cambodian newcomer youth)

• advocacy
• leadership and life skills training
• supportive housing program
• peer support and self help groups
• support groups for family members
• psychosocial recreation and education activities
• volunteer development

Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Program
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for members of Chinese community in York Region who are experiencing depression, anxiety, and anxiety-related conditions; available in Cantonese and Mandarin; free

General community education
Holistic health education, mental health promotion, and consultation and educational services to agencies and professionals on ethnoracial mental health issues

Brief Therapy Service for youth and young adults, see separate listing

Mental health peer support agency includes telephone counselling, support groups, elder abuse prevention and awareness, intergenerational mutual support, peer volunteer training and workshops, outreach to Asian community, and anti-racism leadership development

Mandarin Hotline, 289-800-8818
Telephone peer emotional support for a range of issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, health challenges, grief or bereavement, isolation, family conflict, unemployment, newcomer challenges

• support addresses language barriers and cultural stigma
• links to community and professional resources for individual and/or group support and treatment

One-on-one Peer Support
Emotional and practical support to individuals experiencing mild mental health challenges, contact Mandarin Hotline for information, or visit website

For information in Chinese, visit MHMH website

Beyond meeting immediate and emergency needs, sustains and supports a network of local agencies that deliver essential services and programs to move people out of poverty

• funding opportunities, visit website
• partners with Canadian Red Cross Society, Labour Community Services and Findhelp Information Services (see separate entries)
• annual, volunteer-driver fundraising campaign

Head office, 26 Wellington St E, 12th Flr, Toronto, 416-777-2001
Peel Region Office, 90 Burnhamthorpe Rd W, Suite 1500, Mississauga, ON L5B 3C3

Client services include information and referral, short term supportive counselling and psychotherapy, case management, and supportive housing program (see Eligibility)

• wrap-around mental health supports and services for youth in ethnospecific communities, including Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Cambodian newcomer youth
• advocacy, leadership and life skills training
• psychosocial recreation and education activities
• peer support and self help groups
• support groups for family members
• volunteer opportunities

General community education
Holistic health education, mental health promotion, and consultation and educational services to agencies and professionals on ethnospecific mental health issues

Counselling, crisis intervention, and support programs, including anger management and conflict resolution, and counselling education and volunteer training

Telephone Counselling
Immediate emotional support, crisis intervention or suicide prevention

• links to appropriate emergency services
• individual, group and family counselling
• community outreach counselling and visitation for clients facing barriers to accessing services
• information and referral
• translation and interpretation
• counselling education and volunteer training program
• public education and awareness
• health promotion, including recreation and social activities

Telephone Crisis Intervention Services
24-hour emotional support for individuals experiencing distress, grief, conflict, depression or other crisis; also available virtually (Zoom) and by email

In-person Counselling Services
Anonymous, confidential counselling for individuals, groups, couples and families

Violence Prevention Education
Anger management and conflict resolution classes and workshops

Health Programs
Health promotion and support

• home hospice program and palliative care provided by trained volunteers
• healthy lifestyle workshops
• smoke-free education for youth
• diabetes prevention program
• visitation for community members who are ill

Children's Programs
Includes homework club, early learning programs for kindergarten to grade 6, and summer camp

Parenting Programs
Parenting skills workshops, including parent and child activities, early years development, and separate programs for mothers and fathers

Seniors Programs
Includes reassurance, counselling, visitation, and outreach services

• English café
• recreation including singing, art and digital storytelling classes
• online virtual seminars

Youth Programs
Employment seminars, career development, leadership training, life skills workshops, and mentoring

• 2-weeks summer volunteering retreat (August)
• tobacco-free campaign program
• facilitation skills workshop
• recreational activities including Expressive Arts workshops

Volunteer opportunities, information and referral to partnered charities and agencies

Give Back Awards
Cash award to graduating high school students from Aurora, Georgina, King and Newmarket for exceptional contributions to fellow students and citizens and ongoing community involvement

Tree Planting
Coordinates spring tree planting day each spring in Aurora, East Gwillimbury, Georgina, King and Newmarket, partnership with Lake Simcoe Conservation Authority

Fall Food Drive
Volunteer groups are assigned to grocery store and encourage shoppers to donate, donations are distributed to local food banks

Holiday Gift Drive
Collects and distributes holiday gifts to charitable organizations

Contributes funds and volunteers to community projects, promotes volunteerism

International Service -- retired, semi-retired or professionally active Canadians with technical or managerial experience

• provide volunteer consultative services overseas
• airfare, medical insurance and small allowance provided
• average assignment is 2-8 weeks

National Service, Aboriginal programs -- as above, in Canada, with focus on economic and community development, governance, financial management, business plans and tourism, average assignment is 2-14 days

Rape crisis centre:

• crisis intervention and culturally sensitive counselling, support and referral
• support for families and friends of survivors
• support groups
• information on alternatives to legal justice system
• court support, accompaniment and advocacy program
• research, public education, workshops
• comprehensive volunteer training
• all services confidential
• trans-positive environment

Website for volunteer opportunities and recruitment

• searchable directory of volunteer opportunities and organizations
• ability to create profiles for volunteers and organizations
• online Resource and Learning Centre

Online database of volunteer opportunities in the City of Toronto, with direct contact links

• interviews by appointment
• monthly information sessions on volunteering
• consultation and training on volunteer management
• networking for volunteer managers and grassroots groups
• service standards consistent with the Canadian Code for Volunteer Involvement

Does not provide volunteers to individuals

Client services include information and referral, short term supportive counselling and psychotherapy, case management, and supportive housing program (see Eligibility)

• wrap-around mental health supports and services for youth in ethnospecific communities, including Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Cambodian newcomer youth
• advocacy, leadership and life skills training
• psychosocial recreation and education activities
• peer support and self help groups
• support groups for family members
• volunteer opportunities

General community education
Holistic health education, mental health promotion, and consultation and educational services to agencies and professionals on ethnospecific mental health issues

Health Services, Child and Family Services, Newcomers Services, Employment Services, Legal Aid Services, see separate entries for more detail

Volunteer placement program -- 416-203-1220 ext 1220

Authorized testing centre for Test de français international (TFI)

• multiple choice test that evaluates the French level of non-francophones
• call for details and to make an appointment 416-922-2672
• also offered at Black Creek Community Centre -- see separate entry

Cultural Activities

• planning and organization of artistic and cultural activities in French
• newsletter
• Galerie Céline-Allard (call to book an appointment)

Settlement and Integration Services

• information and referral; community orientation for refugees
• translation and interpretation
• informal counselling, newcomer parent counselling
• help to locate and access mental health services, health promotion
• newcomer student academic support and tutoring
• recreation, cultural activities
• volunteer training and development

Training and capacity building for youth, women

Seniors education and recreation program, form filling, advocacy

Arranges volunteer placements in developing partner countries for persons with a commitment to international development

• placements vary in length
• volunteers from developing partner countries also placed in Canada
• development education
• volunteers required to participate in fundraising, training and public education activities

COVID19 Virtual and telephone services available; contact for update on availability of in-person services

• remote telephone counselling and support for youth, seniors and families; for crisis and family counselling, call counsellors directly at 416-540-7780; 647-528-6016; 416-527-3554
• racialized families with children 6-11 years requiring assistance from or referral to SNAP, email snap@dfrc.ca
• Critical support, email jallen@dfrc.ca or cynthia@dfrc.ca

Food Pantry
For emergency food access email stijani@dfrc.ca, or call 2-1-1 or Daily Bread Food Bank 416-203-0050 for referral to alternate food bank

Support for youth in contact with Criminal Justice System, and their families
Information and referral, counselling and support

• telephone counselling for youth and their families on dealing with stress and anxiety, representational supports during video court proceedings such as bail hearings
• support letters for court related matters
• email kwilliams@dfrc.ca

YouTube Channel

• parenting programs and activities for children and families
• Weekly Wellness group sessions for community members, and Brave - Caring for Caregivers group sessions for social services sector staff; Wednesdays until June 3rd, registration required
• call, email or visit DFRC website for updates and information during COVID19 health crisis, including group sessions, dates and times

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Community development and capacity building, services for children and families, settlement and legal resources, programs for youth and seniors

Food Pantry
Emergency food access, member of North York Harvest Food Bank

Family resource programs
Programs for parents/caregivers and their children

• play group
• parenting workshops for families including those with special needs children and teenagers
• multicultural drop-in
• parent relief
• child care registry
• toy lending library
• early literacy program
• after school program
• training for home child care providers

Stop Now and Plan (SNAP)
Culturally appropriate counselling for children 6-11 years, and their families; focus on those of African descent

Settlement services
Employment support and information and referral for landed immigrants and refugees

Community development and capacity building

• community kitchen and food skills training
• leadership and skills development training
• Humber Summit Green Project
• violence prevention education
• Humber Summit Getting Active
• community conversation circles
• community events
• residents group capacity building, community office
• one to one support
• anti-black racism education
• volunteer placements

Youth Programs

• peer mediation training
• leadership training
• eco club
• basketball
• employment skills development
• summer camp
• youth group, advises Delta on youth programs

Services available at satellite locations, including Rexdale Community Hub (Albion Neighbourhood Services, Rexdale Multiservice Hub) at 21 Panorama Court, 416-741-3000 (see separate listing)