At Remitly, we know that getting involved in the community is one of the best ways to integrate into a new culture. If you’re a newcomer to Canada, you should consider different volunteer opportunities as a way to get to know your new neighbourhood and start giving back to your community.
In this guide, you’ll learn about why volunteering is important in Canada and how you can find opportunities where you can make a meaningful impact.
Why volunteer in Canada?
The government of Canada defines volunteering as the time you give to strengthen your community and improve others’ quality of life as well as your own. Volunteering can fit into any lifestyle. It can also be a way for you to bond with your friends and family or build new connections based on mutual interests. The benefits of volunteering are endless.
- Builds interpersonal skills. Through interacting with other people, you will increase your interpersonal skills through volunteerism. Your ability to communicate well, develop your social and emotional intelligence, and collaboration skills will all benefit from volunteering.
- Promotes physical and mental health. Volunteering will support your mental health by instilling a sense of confidence and community. It can help you feel connected to the people around you, which is a key factor in mental wellness. In addition, many volunteer opportunities provide situations where you can move your body and get exercise.
- Provides insight into different industries. Through volunteering, you’ll be learning. Volunteer opportunities can also be a way to gain insight into a new industry. This could be purposeful for young adults trying to define their career path or professionals who are considering a different job.
- Grows your social network. We’re not talking about the one on social media! By meeting up with other people to volunteer, you’ll build real-life contacts that you wouldn’t have made otherwise. These connections will have the foundation of shared interests and common goals, which will strengthen the bond.
- Supports your life transitions. Volunteerism is purposeful at any age, but can be especially impactful during transitional stages in your life. For example, volunteering is a great way for people who are transitioning out of full-time work to stay involved in the community, maintain their skills, and develop new ones.
Key platforms to discover volunteering opportunities
There are usually many opportunities to volunteer in any community. In fact, plenty of organizations function on volunteer power alone. If you’re not sure where to begin, you can seek volunteer opportunities at:
- Schools
- Senior centers
- Youth activities, like sports teams
- Hospitals
- Animal shelters
- Libraries
- Soup kitchens
If you are ready to dive deeper into the world of volunteerism, you can check out some popular platforms to find volunteer opportunities on a global scale. If you’re looking to volunteer closer to home, read on.
Popular Canadian volunteer platforms
Volunteering locally is a good way for you to establish yourself in a community. You’ll meet other people who live in your neighbourhood. You’ll also maximize your chances of seeing the positive impact of your volunteer efforts.
You can always seek out volunteering opportunities at your community centre, in the local newspaper, or through your contacts. You can also check out the following websites and databases that collect opportunities for volunteers.
Volunteer Canada
Since 1977, Volunteer Canada has worked to advance volunteerism and grow connection, community, and belonging in Canada. This organization is the go-to database for volunteering opportunities in Canada. They believe in the value of one person and the power of many people working together.
Go Volunteer
Go Volunteer was launched in 2003. This organization is specific to British Columbia and works to connect volunteers with different opportunities.
VolunteerConnector
VolunteerConnector is a website where you can find digital volunteering opportunities. This initiative started in Calgary 65 years ago, but has expanded to working with all of Canada.
Charity Village
If you’re looking to get involved in Canada’s nonprofit sector, Charity Village is the place to start. This website posts jobs and volunteer opportunities within the nonprofit sector. You can organize your search by city or province.
Types of volunteer opportunities available
Volunteering becomes second nature when you’re engaging in activities that easily fit into your daily life. By keeping the entry barrier low, you can focus your energy on the actual volunteering.
- Volunteer from anywhere. It’s important to remember that volunteering is possible from just about any location. Whether you’re in your own home or travelling across Canada, you can find ways to volunteer.
- Create your circle. There are ways to volunteer totally independently and individually. If you prefer to make it a group event, you can find opportunities to contribute with your family and friends. There are also opportunities for you to go in solo and make new friends!
- Set your timeline. Depending on how you’re volunteering, your commitment can be short- or long-term. It can also be regular or irregular. For example, you could volunteer just over the summer. On the other hand, you can find year-round opportunities that you contribute to on a regular basis.
To give you some ideas of volunteer opportunities and roles in Canada, here are some actual calls for volunteers. You’ll notice that anyone and everyone can find a position that can fit into their life:
- Become a certified listener. The Certified Listeners Society provides early-stage emotional support for people who are in distress. This is an online volunteering opportunity where you’ll chat online with individuals who need a listening ear. You volunteer from anywhere there’s an internet connection!
- Plan and complete an environmental initiative. Receive guidance from the Earth Rangers to design and complete an eco-action project of your choice in your neighbourhood or community. This open-ended opportunity is for young people who are working on their leadership and planning skills.
- Work to reduce disaster risk and help others adapt to climate change. Connect with the Canadian Red Cross to become a volunteer. You’ll help engage with the public to raise awareness and increase overall emergency preparedness.
These are just a few of the exciting volunteer opportunities that are available in Canada. Regardless of where your interests lie, you’ll be able to find an exciting volunteer role.
Volunteering in advocacy and social justice is a great way to get involved in the community and work toward tangible positive change for the future. Social justice can mean a lot of things. From working to end poverty to promoting climate justice and refugee rights, if there’s an issue that you care about, you can get involved to affect change.
Check out Citizens for Public Justice, Justice for All Canada, or Kingdom Acts Foundation. All of these organizations are working to advocate for and promote social justice in Canada.
Health and medicine
If you’re passionate about health care and medicine, finding a volunteer role will be a piece of cake! There are a ton of opportunities for you to make an impact in this sector. If you have medical training or certification, there are specific ways for you to give back to the community. Even if you don’t have any specific medical training, you can get involved.
There are volunteer opportunities with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Canadian Medical Foundation.
Environmental and wildlife conservation
Canadian culture is tied to the environment and the beautiful natural spaces that span the country. If you’re interested in conserving these spaces, there are plenty of ways for you to be the voice for the plants, animals, and habitats that you love.
Great places to start are the Nature Conservancy Canada, Parks Canada, and the Canadian branch of the World Wildlife Foundation.
Virtual prospects: volunteerism for all
As the world becomes more digital, so do volunteer opportunities. Virtual volunteering involves online initiatives to which you can contribute from your computer, tablet, or smartphone. These opportunities are usually done off-site from whatever nonprofit organization you’re supporting. This means you can volunteer without getting off your couch or even changing out of your pyjamas. Let’s go!
Popular opportunities
Nonprofit organizations often need all of the same contributors that for-profit companies do. Even if an organization is all about sending volunteers into remote environmental spaces, operating rooms, or foreign countries, they’ll still need social media managers, financial analysts, and telephone agents to work behind the scenes. Many virtual volunteering opportunities are administrative.
How to get started with virtual volunteering
If you’re ready to find a virtual volunteering position, remember that you’ll often have to apply. This means you should prepare your resume and references. You should make sure your hardware and software is up-to-date. This will not only contribute to the volunteer work itself, but also to any interviews or training you might have to attend. Sometimes, you might have to provide a Police Record Check or Vulnerable Sector Check.
Find your virtual volunteering position through VolunteerConnector or inquire with organizations that you’re passionate about.
Final tips for selecting the right volunteer opportunity
Your skills and interests
Minimally, volunteering requires you to spend some time and energy on a project or initiative. Going above and beyond means finding volunteer opportunities that you’re excited about. This usually means finding ways to use your skills and interests.
Think about your personality type and your skills. How can you best contribute? You can use this volunteer quiz to help you jump-start your brainstorming process.
Time commitment and flexibility
Volunteer opportunities come in all shapes and sizes. They are designed to appeal to all different types of volunteers. You should deeply consider the amount of time and energy that you have to give before you commit to a volunteer position.
Of course, you want the volunteer role to fit into your own life in a way that is sustainable. Also, you want to make sure that you are able to fully complete the volunteer work so that the organization isn’t left high and dry.
Mission and goals
By ensuring that your personal values align with the mission and goals of the organization for which you’re volunteering, you’ll ensure that your participation is fun and meaningful for you. If you’re trying to figure out what volunteer opportunities could be a good fit, consider the following questions:
- What matters to you?
- What skills and experiences can you share?
- What skills and experiences do you want to develop?
- What setting would be best for you?
- Do you have any friends or family that might want to volunteer with you?
- What are the challenges and issues I notice in my community?
FAQs
What is the best website for volunteer opportunities?
There are a lot of websites that help connect you with volunteer opportunities. If you’re looking to make an impact within Canada, we’d suggest that you start with Volunteer Canada.
Is there a Canadian version of the Peace Corps?
The Canada Service Corps provides volunteer opportunities in Canada for young people ages 12 to 30 years old. If you’re a person with industry-specific skills and are looking to volunteer your time and efforts on a global scale, you can get involved with Canada’s Volunteer Cooperation Program.
Can a Canadian citizen volunteer in the US?
In general, yes, Canadians can volunteer in the US as long as they are not being paid or compensated for their efforts. Volunteering internationally usually goes smoothly for Canadians. Of course, you should do the proper research to ensure you don’t run into any immigration issues.