Volunteering and Community Involvement

A volunteer is someone who gives time, effort and skill to a need or cause without pay.  Volunteering is a great way to get involved and invest in your community.   Volunteering can also be a good way to:

• Build relationships
• Meet people
• Help with an worthwhile project
• Learn English
• Gain Canadian experience
• Build or learn new skills
• Learn about different jobs and places to work.

Community organizations are responsible for creating a positive work environment and treating you well as a volunteer.  As a volunteer, you have rights and responsibilities. 

Where can I volunteer?

Find out about volunteer jobs by visiting local volunteer agencies like:

• Volunteer Action Centre in the Kitchener-Waterloo area
• Volunteer Cambridge in Cambridge and area.

Or look on local government websites:

• City of Cambridge - Volunteer Opportunities
• City of Waterloo - Volunteer Services
• City of Kitchener - Volunteer Resources & Community Engagement
• Region of Waterloo - Volunteer with the Region

For more information…

To find out more about volunteering visit the following websites:

• Volunteering for New Canadians
• Volunteers: The Heart of Community Organizations
• Volunteerism - Citizenship in Action!
• The Canadian Code for Volunteer Involvement
• Settlement.Org has many articles about volunteering.  Visit Settlement.Org to find out more.