Searching for Volunteer Centres

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

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.

Provides comfort, guidance, direction to patients, families and caregivers.

• Friendly Visiting
• Information Desk
• Emergency room assistants

Volunteer placement, recruit and management programming; includes, volunteer opportunity database, one to one volunteer interviews and placement, agency volunteer recruitment capabilities. Agency hosts volunteer fairs, presentations to various group regarding volunteerism.

Volunteer placement, recruit and management programming; includes, volunteer opportunity database, one to one volunteer interviews and placement, agency volunteer recruitment capabilities. Agency hosts volunteer fairs, presentations to various group regarding volunteerism.

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

Volunteer program to enhance the day-to-day functioning of the Centre for Military families

• volunteering offers newcomers an opportunity to meet new friends and to get connected
• opportunities for students to volunteer and log hours toward the community involvement requirement for school

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

Volunteer placement, recruit and management programming; includes, volunteer opportunity database, one to one volunteer interviews and placement, agency volunteer recruitment capabilities. Agency hosts volunteer fairs, presentations to various group regarding volunteerism.

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

• 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

Provides volunteer service to hospital staff and patients.

Volunteers help in many areas such as:

• Diagnostic imaging
• Day Surgery
• Oncology
• Fundraising
• Outpatient Clinic
• Emergency Reception
• Gift Shop
• Coffee Kiosk
• Information Desk
• Friendly Faces Program
• Dialysis
• Porter

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

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

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

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

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

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

Assists the community in providing available resources to nutritious local food. Projects include:

Community Garden

• Located at Bradford Lions Park (on Colborn St, Bradford)
• $45 for 4"x 6" plot
• Space is limited, call for information

Community Meal

• Program is currently on hold
• Adults wishing to assist with community meal, call for information

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

Organization committed to excellence in the strategic engagement of volunteers through advocacy, networking, communication, education and professional development within the City of Barrie and surrounding area

• BAVA publishes, on their website, a list of volunteer opportunities available with member organizations
• National Volunteer Week is in April, annually
• Does not operate a Volunteer Bureau but produces a list of volunteer opportunities provided by member agencies, available on website www.barrieava.com/volunteer
• For other volunteer opportunities, see:
  • Information Barrie's List of agencies that use volunteers in Barrie area
  • Information Barrie's Volunteer Barrie Database

COVID-19 Response

• Existing volunteers are currently being returned to the health care centre in a phased approach
• recruitment for new volunteers has been suspended until 2023, see Volunteer Resources for ongoing updates

Regular Service
Volunteers at RVH assist in over 70 areas with the provision of enhanced patient care in the following capacities: Gift Shop, Café Royale, Portering, Volunteer Ambassadors, Information Desks, Registration Areas, Emergency Dept. etc.
If visiting the hospital:

• See Visitor Information
• See Parking and Transportation Information
• See COVID-19 Information