Volunteer Opportunities
There are opportunities for youth to volunteer at local non-profit organizations
that work for charity and social justice. ShareLife Agencies through the
Archdiocese of Toronto is a good place to start your search.
http://www.archtoronto.org/arch_offices/sharelife.html Volunteering is a great
way to learn more about specific issues while completing the mandatory 40 hours
of community service in order to graduate. Students can do it knowing they’ll be
making a difference in the lives of those who need help!
The following organizations are listed according to their location in the City of
Toronto on the assumption that commuting distance will be the limiting factor in
selecting a volunteer placement. If you wish to see a list of organizations across
Canada that are categorized by field of interest,
Please visit: www.charityvillage.com
Many organizations below accept volunteers in a developed program or on an
as-needs basis (for specific projects or events). Some organizations were
contacted to confirm whether they have volunteer opportunities but did not
respond. If no direct volunteer webpage or contact coordinator is listed, we
recommend students call or email the organization that they’re interested in,
outlining what they could offer in the way of skills and time.
Downtown Toronto
Development & Peace
Supports partners in the Global South (developing countries) who promote
alternatives to unfair social, political and economic structures. It educates the
Canadian population about the causes of poverty and mobilizes Canadians
towards actions for change. In the struggle for human dignity, the organization
forms alliances with northern and southern groups working for social change. It
also supports women in their search for social and economic justice. You can
create a JustYouth group at your school to help with a social justice campaign or
organize a ThinkFast fundraising/education event. While they do not a regular
volunteer program at the office, you can contact them to organize a specific
volunteer internship/placement depending on your interests and skills.
Luke Stocking, Animator
10 St. Mary St. - Suite 420, Toronto, Ontario, M4Y 1P9
Tel: 416 922-1592, Fax: 416 922-0957
Email: luke.stocking@devp.org
http://youth.devp.org/just-youth/
Maquila Solidarity Network
The Maquila Solidarity Network (MSN) is a labour and women's rights
organization that supports the efforts of workers in global supply chains to win
improved wages and working conditions and a better quality of life (i.e.
sweatshop and labour issues).
606 Shaw Street
Toronto, ON, M6G 3L6
Tel: 416-532-8584
Fax: 416-532-7688
http://en.maquilasolidarity.org/
Centre for Social Justice
Conducts research and educational activities designed to strengthen the
movement for social justice. It brings together people from the universities and
unions, faith groups and other community organizations. Since it was founded in
1997, the Centre has focused on issues such as economic inequality, corporate
power and democratic alternatives.
489 College Street, Suite 303
Toronto, Ontario, M6G 1A5
Phone: 416-927-0777
Toll free: 1-888-803-8881
Regular office hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays - 10am to 6pm
http://www.socialjustice.org/
Free the Children
Free The Children is the world’s largest network of children helping
children through education, with more than one million youth involved in
our innovative education and development programs in 45 countries.
There are opportunities to volunteer with local campaigns and also
overseas.
233 Carlton Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5A 2L2
Phone: 416-925-5894 Fax: 416-925-8242
http://www.freethechildren.com/getinvolved/
In Forma Theatre
An ensemble theatre company that creates and performs audience interactive
shows which promote inclusive communities and social justice. IF Theatre uses
popular theatre techniques to explore individual and community empowerment
with the goal of creating visions of change.
862 Dovercourt Road, Toronto, Ontario, M6H 2X5
Phone: 416-899-3761 or 416-316-0250
Email: info@iftheatre.ca
KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives A partnership of 11 Canadian churches and church organizations dedicated to
social justice in Canada and worldwide. With southern partners and 100 local
groups, KAIROS advocates for economic and ecological justice, human rights,
Aboriginal rights, and the rights of refugees. While there is no regular volunteer
program for the office, you can start a Kairos Community in your school. You
can also arrange for a specific volunteer placement depending on what skills you
have to offer for specific projects.
Youth Coordinator – Caroline Foster
310 Dupont St., Suite 200,
Toronto, ON, M5R 1V9
Tel: 416-463-5312 Fax: 416-463-5569
Email: cfoster@kairoscanada.org
http://www.kairoscanada.org/en/get-involved/companions-communities/
Oxfam Canada
Oxfam Canada works with people to secure their basic human rights, combining
support to long-term development and humanitarian responses with research,
advocacy and campaigning against the root causes of poverty and injustice.
While the national office is in Ottawa, you can work with the Fundraising Office
located in Toronto or on campaigns at your school or home.
Fundraising Office: Oxfam Canada
210-410 Adelaide Street West, Toronto, ON, M5V 1S8 | 1-800-466-9326 |
E: fundraising@oxfam.ca; youth@oxfam.ca
http://www.oxfam.ca/youth-students/youth-students
Planeterra
The Planeterra Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to making a
positive difference in the lives of people and communities around the world
through support of community projects, local organizations, and international
charities. The foundation was developed by G.A.P Adventures, a Canadian
adventure travel company that offers environmentally, culturally and socially
responsible tours worldwide.
We would love to hear from you! If you would like information our projects,
donating or have any other inquiries please call 416-260-0999.
19 Charlotte Street, Suite 200, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5V 2H5
Tel: 416-260-0999
Email: info@planeterra.org
http://www.planeterra.org/
Ontario Council for International Cooperation
The Ontario Council for International Cooperation (OCIC) is an expanding
community of Ontario-based international development and global education
organizations and individual associate members working globally for social
justice. OCIC members include development NGOs with overseas programming,
volunteer-sending organizations, solidarity groups, global education centres, faith
organizations as well as networks and individuals working in international
cooperation and global education.
344 Bloor Street West, Suite 209
Toronto, ON, M5S 3A7
T: 416.972.6303
F: 416.972.6996
Email:info@ocic.on.ca http://www.ocic.on.ca/
Parkdale Community Legal Services
Parkdale Community Legal Services delivers poverty law services to low-income
residents of Toronto's Parkdale area, covering a wide variety of subject areas,
including: social assistance; workers' rights; tenants' rights; immigration and
refugee claims; mental health law; and domestic violence issues.
1266 Queen Street West (map)
Toronto, Ontario
M6K 1L3
Tel (416) 531-2411
Fax (416) 531-0885
http://www.parkdalelegal.org/
World Literacy Canada
Promotes international development and social justice in South Asia and Canada
through the funding of community based programs that emphasize literacy and
nonformal education. Particular attention is given to the needs of disadvantaged
women.
401 Richmond Street West, Studio 236
Toronto, Ontario M5V 3A8
Canada
Tel: (416) 977-0008
Fax: (416) 977-1112
Email: info@worldlit.ca
http://www.worldlit.ca/get-involved/
Yonge Street Mission
Since 1896, Yonge Street Mission has helped families, seniors, socially isolated
adults, homeless street youth and children living in poverty in downtown Toronto.
Services include employment and computer training, a food bank, meals,
counseling, camps and Christmas assistance.
Ruth Pentinga, Director of Volunteer Resources
Email: rpentinga@ysm.ca
Tel: 416-929-9614
Various locations near Gerrard, Wellesley, Yonge
http://www.ysm.ca/about-us/contact-us/
http://www.ysm.ca/volunteers/volunteer-opportunities/
Amnesty International
A worldwide voluntary activist movement that works impartially to prevent
violations of people's fundamental civil and political rights. It takes action to free
all prisoners of conscience (people imprisoned for their beliefs, origins or status,
who have not used or advocated violence); ensure fair and prompt trials for all
political prisoners; abolish the death penalty, torture, and other cruel treatment of
all prisoners; and end political killings and disappearances.
1992 Yonge Street, 3rd Floor
Toronto, ON
M4S 1Z7
Telephone: (416) 363-9933
Fax: (416) 363-3103
E-mail: toronto@amnesty.ca
http://www.amnesty.ca/youth/
Canadian Civil Liberties Association
The Canadian Civil Liberties Association is a national organization that was
constituted in 1964 to promote respect for and observance of fundamental
human rights and civil liberties. Their work, which includes research, public
education and advocacy, aims to defend and ensure the protection and full
exercise of those rights and liberties.
506 – 360 Bloor Street West
Toronto, ON M5S 1X1
Phone: 416-363-0321
Fax: 416-861-1291
email: mail@ccla.org
http://ccla.org/get-involved/ccla-jobs/
Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network
The Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network promotes the human rights of people
living with and vulnerable to HIV/AIDS, in Canada and internationally, through
research, legal and policy analysis, education, and community mobilization.
1240 Bay Street, Suite 600 (at Cumberland)
Toronto, Ontario M5R 2A7
Telephone: +1 416 595-1666
Fax: +1 416 595-0094
E-mail: info@aidslaw.ca
Journalists for Human Rights
A Canadian non-governmental organization (NGO) dedicated to raising general
awareness of human rights issues in Africa by providing African journalists with
the tools to report accurately and concretely about human rights issues. JHR's
aim is to establish a number of programs, training seminars and newspaper
supplements, increasing both the quality and quantity of human rights reporting.
By empowering journalists to report on human rights issues, JHR hopes to
increase the public's awareness and ability to protect their own, and others,
rights.
147 Spadina Avenue, Suite 206, Toronto, ON, M5V 2L7
Phone: (416) 413-0240
Fax: (416) 413-1832
http://www.jhr.ca/en/getinvolved_volunteer.php
STAND
Students Taking Action Now: Darfur (STAND) Canada is a national student
organization dedicated to inspiring student activism and advocacy addressing the
crisis in Darfur. Its goal is to strengthen and focus the voice of Canadians beginning with students - demanding leadership from the Canadian government
to end the atrocities in Darfur.
Located in different chapters across campuses and universities.
Please visit the website:
http://standcanada.org/take-action/volunteer-opportunities/
East End
Canadian Feed The Children
In partnership with community-based groups, we provide long-term access to
nutrition, education, health care and livelihood, helping to fight child poverty and
increase the self-sufficiency of families and communities.
174 Bartley Drive
Toronto, ON, Canada, M4A 1E1
Tel: 416-757-1220
Fax: 416-757-3318
Email: contact@canadianfeedthechildren.ca
Ten Thousand Villages
Ten Thousand Villages creates opportunities for artisans in developing countries
to earn income by bringing their products and stories to our markets through
long-term, fair trading relationships
362 Danforth Avenue, Toronto, ON, M4K 1N8
Phone: (416) 462-9779
Volunteer Opportunities at the Toronto Ten Thousand Villages Store:
http://www.tenthousandvillages.ca/cgibin/category.cgi?type=store&item=pageGetInvolved10&template=fullpageen&category=getinvolved
West End
Canadian Food For Children Warehouse
Founded by Dr. Andrew and Joan Simone, they regularly need volunteers to help
with sorting/packing in the warehouse, in order to ship goods to underprivileged
communities overseas.
1258 Lakeshore Rd E, Mississauga, ON L5E 1E9
To volunteer call: 416 231 2817 or 416 231 9109
Warehouse Number: (905) 274-9239
http://www.overloadedstress.com/ccfc.html
St. Francis Table / St. Clare Centre
The Capuchin-Franciscan Friars offers outreach to the poor in Parkdale with
programs serving nine meals a week in a restaurant setting, and a drop-in coffee
lounge and meeting space for groups like the AA.
1322 Queen Street West,
Toronto, Ontario
M6K 1L4
(just West of Dufferin)
Phone: (416)532-4172
Fax: (416)532-8814
Website: http://www.capuchinoutreach.org/your_support.html
Email: sftable@capuchinoutreach.org
Break Free Family Centre
This organization's mandate is to provide care and counselling to youth, young
offenders and the community at large, regardless of religious preferences, ethnic
background, gender and race. Their goal is to teach and counsel individuals on
how they can break the cycle of violence, addiction and self-destructive
behaviours and become productive members of society.
Unit #8, 2001 Albion Road
Etobicoke Ontario M9W 6V6
Phone: 416 241 9191 Fax: 416 241 9195
http://www.breakfreefamily.org/
CultureLink
CultureLink is a settlement organization that is both old and new. They have over
20 years’ experience in developing and delivering settlement services to meet
the needs of diverse communities. Passionate about providing innovative
services to newcomers, they adapt to changes and create new programs
that best respond to and address our clients’ specific needs. A team of 50 staff
members, speaking more than 30 languages, is dedicated, knowledgeable, and
multicultural.
Services connect cultures to build welcoming communities. Programs assist
newcomers looking for employment, help families navigate the school system,
and provide newcomer youth with the skills necessary for bright and successful
futures. They support refugees and bring together new and established
Canadians. In everything they do, they are committed to embracing differences
and linking the new with the old.
2340 Dundas Street West, Suite 301
Toronto, Ontario
M6P 4A9 Canada
Phone: 416-588-6288
Fax: 416-588-2435
http://www.culturelink.ca/index.php/get-involved/volunteers
Daily Bread Food Bank
Daily Bread Food Bank serves people through neighbourhood food banks and
meal programs in member agencies. Daily Bread is fighting hunger by providing
food and resources, mobilizing greater community support, and creating social
change through research, education, and advocacy.
191 New Toronto St. Toronto, ON, M8V 2E7 (Etobicoke)
Phone: 416 203 0050
Fax: 416 203 0049
http://www.dailybread.ca
Windfall
Windfall's mission is to provide new, donated clothing (at no cost) to people living
in poverty or crisis, resulting in a boost to their self-esteem and increased
opportunities for improving their lives.
29 Connell Court, Unit 3
Toronto, ON M8Z 5T7 (Kipling, Gardiner)
Phone: 416.703.8435
Fax: 416.703.8437
http://www.WindfallBasics.com/opportunities.html
North End
Regesh Family and Child Services
Regesh Family & Child Services helps at-risk youth and their families in the GTA
with a drop in centre at Willowdale and Sheppard, Individual and Family
Counselling, Anger Management and a residential safe house in Thornhill. As a
result of a federal grant from the Department of Justice, they also work with youth
in schools in Scarborough.
149 Willowdale Avenue
North York, Ontario M2N 4Y5
Phone: 416-495-8832
Fax: 416-495-6936
http://www.regesh.com/index.html
Second Harvest
Every day, Second Harvest picks up donated fresh food and distributes it to 129
social service programs in Metro Toronto in order to assist people who would
otherwise go hungry. Our goal is that no one need ever go hungry in the
communities we serve.
Volunteer Program Coordinator: Nicole Light
1450 Lodestar Road, Unit 18 (Allen & Sheppard)
Toronto, ON M3J 3C1
Phone: 416.408.2594
Fax: 416.408.2598
http://www.secondharvest.ca/update/volunteer/index.php
St. Clare Inn
St. Clare Inn provides community, care, and shelter for homeless women aged
35 - 60 with mental health issues, to support their healing journey.
They need volunteers for a wide array of tasks that might include:
* teaching classes (fitness, cooking, crafts, sewing, etc)
* help with personal grooming
* home renovations plumbing & electrical work
* lawn care & gardening
* snow removal, eavestrough cleaning, window washing, etc.
1300 Leslie St. (south of Lawrence)
Toronto ON M3C 2K9
T: 416.690.0330
F: 416.447.4082
Email: info@stclareinn.org
http://www.stclareinn.com/howyoucanhelp.html
Harmony
Movement
A national organization that encourages Canadians of all racial, cultural and
religious origins to embrace and promote harmony, diversity, as well as equality.
It undertakes public educational campaigns such as the Them = Us national
exhibition and the Exploring Harmony educational resource kit.
255 Duncan Mill Road
Suite 705
(401 & Don Mills Rd.)
North York, Ontario
Canada, M3B 3H9
Tel: 416.385.2660
Fax: 416.385.2644
Email: info@harmony.ca
www.harmony.ca
Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch is dedicated to protecting the human rights of people
around the world. It stands with victims and activists to prevent discrimination, to
uphold political freedom, to protect people from inhumane conduct in wartime,
and to bring offenders to justice.
Address: 161 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 702
Toronto, Ontario M4P 1J5 Canada
Tel: +1-416-322-8448
Fax: +1-416-322-3246
http://www.hrw.org/get-involved