Who can volunteer

Volunteers are community members, parents, teachers, and retirees, who choose to share their lives with vulnerable children and youth. They come from many different ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds, are from all age groups and can be single or married/partnered, male or female.

Every year, thousands of Ontarians volunteer at their local Children’s Aid to support children, youth and families. Volunteers have a wide range of skills. Some offer skills that can be used in working directly with children and youth, others offer their expertise to provide leadership and guidance to their local Children’s Aid as members of the Board of Directors working with the administrators of the agency.

Your local Children’s Aid is governed by an elected, volunteer Board of Directors who serve on the Board and committees for a period of time to ensure the agency provides high quality service to the community.

Overall, there are more than 5,000 Ontarians that give of themselves to support children, youth and families by volunteering at their local Children’s Aid.

What volunteers do

Children’s Aid always needs your help! There is never a shortage of opportunities for interested community members to participate in improving the lives of children and youth. Volunteers make a significant difference to the lives of Ontario’s children. Their valuable contributions enable agencies to provide enriched services to children, youth and their families.

Volunteers offer a great deal of personal experience and knowledge that is invaluable to Children’s Aid. They work alongside staff and foster parents, bringing their skills, energy and commitment to protect children.

Some of the volunteer opportunities that may be available at your Children’s Aid include:

Board and committee member

Board members are all volunteers elected at the Annual General Meeting in the fall of each year and serve a four-year term. Members also serve on committees that work to ensure we offer the best possible service to the community.

Special Friend to a parent or child

'Special friend' volunteers provide support, positive role modeling, encouragement and guidance to a parent or child by spending time with them and sharing their experiences.

Tutors

Volunteer provide tutoring to children and adults as required.

Drivers

Volunteer drivers transport children to school, family visits, therapy and medical appointments. Drivers are reimbursed for their mileage and parking expenses.

Supervised access

To provide a safe and secure environment for children, supervised access volunteers supervise visits between family and children at Children’s Aid offices.

Special events

Volunteers assist in the coordination and delivery of fundraising initiatives and the delivery of special events.

How do I volunteer

If you are interested in volunteering, contact your local Children’s Aid to attend an orientation session to learn about volunteer opportunities, training and the application process. All volunteers must be 18 years of age or older, must pass a criminal record check, and sign an Oath of Confidentiality. We will strive to find the best role that best suits your skills and schedule.

Benefits of Volunteering

You will have the opportunity to:

• Get involved and help your community.
• Develop and improve your life skills.
• Learn more about child protection and Children’s Aid.
• Meet new people and socialize.
• Make a difference in someone’s life (as well as your own).