SEND SMILES AND SUNSHINE: BECOME A VOLUNTEER LETTER-WRITER TODAY!
Are you passionate about spreading joy and brightening someone's day? Do you enjoy writing friendly letters and want to join a virtual project? Are you looking for a team project or a meaningful event activity? Become a volunteer and make a meaningful difference for seniors in care homes and programs locally and across Canada.
WHAT WE DO
We’re a volunteer-run organization sending cheerful, personal, one-of-a-kind handwritten letters to seniors in Canada, the US, the UK and Australia. Since April 2020, we’ve delivered joy in over 30 languages worldwide!
WHAT WE OFFER
➙ A chance to brighten a senior’s day.
➙ Flexible volunteering from anywhere, anytime, year-round.
➙ Community service hour verification for students (separate registration required).
➙ Tips for writing meaningful letters.
➙ An inclusive environment welcoming all ages and abilities.
IMPORTANT DETAILS FOR VOLUNTEERS
➙ Write friendly, one-of-a-kind letters addressed to a “Friend.”
➙ Mail your letters to our partner facilities.
➙ Commit to a destination facility only after your letters are ready to mail.
➙ Facilities list refreshes every two weeks with new requests.
➙ Expenses include postage, writing materials, and envelopes (send multiple letters in one envelope to save on postage).
➙ Not a pen pal program—most seniors cannot reply.
➙ LAI has no staff, physical office or phone.
 Please email volunteer Lindsay for support.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
➙ Commit to writing letters regularly. Quality over quantity.
➙ Share personal stories to make your letters unique.
➙ Avoid sensitive topics like religion, health, politics and holidays.
➙ Focus on positivity and connection.
➙ Write in English or 30+ other languages, including Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, French, German, Greek, Italian, Portuguese or Russian.
➙ Handcrafted cards are welcome but not required. Your handwritten message matters most!
➙ Organize group letter-writing activities or events with friends, coworkers, schools or libraries.
➙ Spread the word to friends, family and local senior centers.
➙ Connect with us on LinkedIn or Instagram.
WHY VOLUNTEER WITH US
➙ Send smiles to seniors who may be feeling isolated or lonely.
➙ Be part of a compassionate, inclusive community.
➙ Experience the satisfaction of knowing your words make a difference.
GET STARTED
➙ Visit https://www.lettersagainstisolation.com/ and choose INDIVIDUAL, GROUP, EDUCATOR or STUDENT registration.
➙ Students seeking service credit: Review our guidelines, complete the student registration form and submit photos of your letters for verification. Earn one hour of credit for every four approved letters.
➙ Contact Lindsay if you have any questions.
Join us in spreading kindness and smiles to senior citizens. Your words will make all the difference!

Seeking volunteer male mentors for boys ages 9 - 16. Must be 21+ and preferably identifies as representing the Afro-Canadian Black community. If you are empathetic, kind, caring and passionate about giving back, we would love to connect you with a youth in need of support and guidance.  Position is hybrid (both in person and virtual), and commit to at least 6 months. Please contact us for more details.

Are you passionate about nature and interested in growing the urban forest? Join the LEAF volunteer community by attending this Orientation!

During this interactive virtual session, you will learn how to support your local environment by getting involved with LEAF programs in Toronto, York Region and Durham Region!

We have many volunteer opportunities available to choose from. Whether you’re looking to get your hands dirty at a community tree planting, educate the public at local outreach events, photograph the fun at a tree tour or assist behind the scenes – we have something for everyone! 

Please use one of the links below to register for a virtual orientation to learn how to get involved:

      March 8 Virtual Volunteer Orientation (11:00am to 12:00pm)         March 25 Virtual Volunteer Orientation (6:30pm to 7:30pm)

Please note that volunteers must be at least 18 years of age.

Registrants will be provided a Zoom Meeting link to access the orientation.

The event will be delivered online and can be accessed through a web browser or an electronic device with the Zoom app. Internet access is required. For accessibility questions, please contact Natasha[at]yourleaf.org

This event is supported by Ontario Power Generation.

Deliver food boxes on Friday mornings to clients' homes.  Food boxes contain a variety of healthy food essentials, locally made or grown. Volunteers pick up the food boxes at the Whitby Hub.

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 
 

Assist at food bank * sort food donations and pack food bags for clients * gather and pack frozen meat, produce and dairy bags for clients.

• Promoting our programs and workshops on social networks and monitor engagement (e.g. comments and shares)
• Creating and distributing marketing copy to advertise our projects
• Writing blog posts about our inititatives and events 
• Ultimately, you will help us reach our target audience by delivering both useful and appealing online information regarding our events, workshops and programs.
• Identify community needs and recomend new topics

Requirements:

• A student involved in the above areas of study, seeking to get hands on experience

   Or:

• Anyone with experience and a willingness to get involved with community work.

The links below will provide more information on our organization:

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

If you have a special volunteer interest, please specify

The links below will provide more information on our organization:

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

General volunteers do a variety of tasks including food service * dispensing pantry goods * monitoring washrooms * coat check * and various other odd jobs.

Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority (CLOCA) has a variety of volunteer opportunities for secondary and post-secondary students,  corporate opportunities,  festival events (Durham Children's Watershed Festival and Purple Woods Maple Syrup Festival) and the Conservation Area Trail Stewards (CATS) program. 

Looking for long-term Volunteers (minimum of 6 months, required to attend 2 hours minimum per week) to assist with every day programs, events, outings, entertainment and much MORE!

Purpose of the role

JA Central Ontario is looking for enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers to support students through JA Events. JA engages volunteers from the local business community to add value to the student experience by sharing industry insights and expertise. If you’re passionate about helping youth in your community, this opportunity will be a valuable volunteer experience!

How it works

Joining a JA educational event, you'll share your career journey and experiences with student participants. During these events, students in grades 9-12 will hear from a range of speakers from a whole host of industries and backgrounds. You'll share your stories, outline your career path and answer student questions. This is a fantastic opportunity to inspire young people as they are thinking about their futures.

What do you wish you had known in high school? What advice would you give to your younger self? What is the most exciting thing about the world of work? Help students answer these questions and much more by volunteering with JA Central Ontario!

You will have the option of attending either a virtual or in-person event.

About JA Central Ontario

Here at JA Central Ontario, we prepare youth for life, for meaningful work and for an opportunity to do good in the world. We help young people go from saying ‘I can’t’ to ‘I can’ through our immersive, digitally-enabled learning experiences. Students learn practical skills like budgeting, saving and starting a business - but they also learn adaptability, creativity, problem-solving and a host of interpersonal tools too. They also meet industry experts and mentors - adult allies who can help them envision their future. We’re all about skill building – minus sleeping through the boring parts. Because with JA, there are no boring parts.

A Central Ontario is looking for enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers to support students through JA's signature learning experience, Company Program.

JA Company Program Advisors inspire a new generation to dream big and reach their goals. This unique learning experience that empowers young people in grades 9-12 with the skills, connections and confidence to build something incredible - a business, a community and a bright future.

Company Program is a hands-on entrepreneurial experience for high school students. As a team, students are guided through innovation processes and design thinking. Together with peers and mentors, they produce a prototype, product or service, organize the production and marketing, interact with customers, handle money, and meet deadlines. Company Program combines in-person after-school meetings, online learning and exciting events.

How it works
Working alongside a team of business professionals, advisors act as mentors, role models and facilitators to a group of 10-20 high school students during an 18-week entrepreneurial journey to create, run and liquidate a business.

Over 18 weeks, Advisors support teams of students as they create a company, choose a product or service and run their very own business. You will meet with your team once a week for 2-3 hours, after school, at a specified location.

Program Summary:
In-Person: The program will be running in-person across Central Ontario.
Number of advisors: Each advising team will consist of 1 to 2 lead advisors and 3 or more advisors.
Number of students: With your advising team, you will be supporting a team of 10 to 20 high school students. You will be mentoring the same group of students for the entirety of the program.
One business: The group of students you work with will come up with one business to create and run over 18 weeks.
Curriculum: Resources, training and support for all volunteers are provided by the JA Central Ontario Company Program team.

About JA Central Ontario
Here at JA Central Ontario, we prepare youth for life, for meaningful work and for an opportunity to do good in the world. We help young people go from saying ‘I can’t’ to ‘I can’ through our immersive, digitally-enabled learning experiences. Students learn practical skills like budgeting, saving and starting a business - but they also learn adaptability, creativity, problem-solving and a host of interpersonal tools too. They also meet industry experts and mentors - adult allies who can help them envision their future. We’re all about skill building – minus sleeping through the boring parts. Because with JA, there are no boring parts.

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. 

Designing social media content for our platform that are engaging with current trends and opportunities to increase brand exposure for our company.

• Collaborate in teams and or with other staff members and volunteers.
• Propose ideas to improve DFCC's social media platforms.
• Provide support for designing flyers, and posters while being informed of trending topics.
• Create and plan the contents of the volunteer and or youth monthly newsletter. It can incorporate feature articles, updates and highlights of DFCC's activities and achievements. 
• Create weekly quotes either inspirational or informative to engage followers.
• Writing blog posts about our initiatives and events 
• Identify community needs and recommend new topics

As a board member, you will be required to:
- Be an advocate for the organization.
- Attend quarterly board meetings – please note that currently most of the meetings are held online and when in person, they are held in the Oshawa area.
- Actively serve on at least one Board committee and support committee initiatives.
- Attend and support fundraising and project initiatives when possible.

We are particularly interested in board members with the following:
- Experience in finance and accounting; a licensed Chartered Public Accountant is an asset.
- Expertise and experience in Human Resources.
- Legal expertise, particularly in non-profit law.
- Fundraising experience and expertise.
- Lived experience that aligns with our mission, i.e., cultural education, community empowerment, and social justice.
- Any experience or expertise in DEIA is considered an asset.

Our weekly event requires:  A Marshall - to help direct the runners at turnpoionts

A Timer - will need a smartphone and be able to download the timing app which will be used to time the prticipants for their 5K wlak/run/jog

A scanner - will need a smartphone to use the app to scan barcodes at the end of the event

A tailwalker - will be walking the course, following the last participant. Will act as course 'sweep' as well as pick up signage.

Be a part of a team of museum village gardeners * assist in the research, planning, planting, and maintenance of the heritage gardens

Provide positive one-on-one attention, guidance, and support to a child while at school; play sports, games, crafts, promote importance of staying in school and healthy relationships with family and peers 

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

Assist shoppers purchase new and gently-used womens, mens and childrens clothing * ensure tidiness of store * set up and take down displays * handle cash * sort clothing donations * promote, be able to talk to customers about Bethesda House