Cathy MerrittLooking to make a meaningful difference in Toronto—no matter how big or small? Volunteering offers rewarding opportunities to give back to your community while experiencing personal growth.
From supporting local shelters to participating in environmental initiatives, there are countless ways to get involved. Here’s a list of volunteer opportunities to help you on this journey – let’s make a positive impact together!
Toronto Humane Society
– Media from toronto_humane_society
Address: 11 River St, Toronto, ON M5A 4C2
Contact details: +1 416-392-2273
Opening hours: Monday and Friday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM; Tuesday and Thursday: 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM; Saturday to Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
At the Toronto Humane Society, over 500 onsite volunteers engage in various roles, from dog walking to cat enrichment. It’s a haven for animal lovers!
Pets bring immense joy, especially for seniors. Volunteering here allows older adults to enjoy these benefits without the full commitment of pet ownership.
With a team of industry-leading experts and a passionate community network, the Toronto Humane Society pursues a mission of reducing animal homelessness and preserving the human-animal bond. Visit their website to check out the availability and qualifications for their volunteer positions.
| Pro tip: Just a heads up, if you’re thinking of joining, most volunteer roles at the Toronto Humane Society ask for a weekly commitment for at least six months unless they tell you otherwise when you start. |
Woodgreen Community Services
– Media from woodgreendotorg
Address: 815 Danforth Ave #100, Toronto, ON M4J 1L2
Contact details: +1 416-645-6000
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
For more than 85 years, WoodGreen has been stepping up to meet the needs of Toronto residents. As a leading social services agency, they’ve got a variety of programs covering healthcare, housing, employment support, and more.
Not to mention, they’re backed by thousands of awesome volunteers dedicating their time and talent to make a positive impact in their communities.
There are loads of ways to jump in – from organizing fun activities for seniors to supporting newcomers in their settlement journey or lending a hand at the weekly food bank.
That said, they welcome individual, internship, student, and corporate volunteers, so there’s something for everyone to get involved with!
| Pro tip: If you’re a high school student looking to volunteer over the summer, WoodGreen is a great place to get involved. Just a heads up, though, they have limited opportunities for high school students due to age restrictions. |
LEAF – Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forest
– Media from leaf_org
Address: 253-601 Christie St, Toronto, ON M6G 4C7
Contact details: +1 416-413-9244
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
LEAF, the non-profit that’s all about sharing tree love and igniting passion for the urban forest, is on a mission to plant native species in backyards and public spaces. They want you to be part of this green adventure!
You see, volunteers play a crucial role in ensuring our urban forest thrives! LEAF leans on the support and dedication of volunteers to bring many of their community programs to life.
There are also loads of ways to dive in, from helping out at planting and stewardship events to joining garden steward teams and even spreading the tree excitement in the community. So, if you’re a nature lover eager to make an impact in your city, LEAF is the perfect starting point.
| Pro tip: If you’re thinking of joining the LEAF team, you’ll need to attend a volunteer orientation. In this interactive virtual session, you’ll get the inside scoop on LEAF’s mission, its programs, and the different volunteer roles they’ve got going. |
Toronto Wildlife Centre
– Media from torontowildlifecentre
Address: 60 Carl Hall Rd Unit 4, North York, ON M3K 2C1
Contact details: +1 416-631-0662
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Toronto Wildlife Centre (TWC) promotes harmony between people and wildlife, offering education and expert advice on wildlife situations and medical care to sick, injured, and orphaned wild animals, intending to release them back into the wild.
Now, if you’re missing your furry friend from home or have a soft spot for animals, you’re going to love volunteering with TWC. They’re doing some pretty unique stuff for wildlife in Southern Ontario – think rescue, veterinary care, rehab, and education.
As a volunteer, you might find yourself doing everything from grocery shopping and running errands to being a wildlife foster parent for critters on the lookout for a forever home.
| Pro tip: You can request a reference letter when you complete your minimum volunteer time. Just note: they can’t guarantee one if you stopped volunteering over a year ago. To play it safe, it’s a good idea to request a letter when you leave in case your supervisor isn’t around to give you a personal reference. |
The Bike Brigade
Address: Toronto, ON
Contact details: [email protected]
Opening hours: Depends on meetings and deliveries
The Bike Brigade is made up of more than 1000 volunteer cyclists who cruise around Toronto delivering food and essentials. They team up with equity-seeking groups, food banks, and other non-profits to lend a hand to vulnerable folks and communities in need across the city.
If you’ve got a bike, you’re welcome to join them! Delivery schedules are flexible, happening seven days a week, 365 days a year.
Whether you prefer riding with a backpack, panniers, or a trailer, there’s a delivery that’ll suit your biking style. And hey, if biking isn’t your thing, they’ve got volunteer opportunities available for non-bikers, too, especially for their logistics team.
| Pro tip: For your first delivery, just check the text message from the Bike Brigade app. Click the link to find the pickup address, delivery address, and recipient’s contact details. |
Royal Ontario Museum
– Media from romtoronto
Address: 100 Queens Park, Toronto, ON M5S 2C6
Contact details: [email protected]
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
If you want to soak up some history, art, and community vibes in Toronto, head over to the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM)! It’s a vibrant hub of culture and learning, with plenty of volunteer opportunities geared towards adults and seniors alike.
Whether you’re interested in guiding youth, promoting the museum, conducting research, or assisting with collections, there’s something for everyone. The cool thing is that the ROM sits right in the heart of Toronto, making it accessible, and they offer really flexible hours, too!
Just a heads up, most volunteer gigs at the ROM ask that you’re at least 18. Some roles might need a museum membership and a donation, while others involve working with kids or vulnerable groups.
| Pro tip: The ROMKids volunteer roles are perfect for high school and college students, as well as anyone eyeing a career in museums, science, art, history, or education! |
Native Women’s Resource Centre of Toronto
– Media from nwrct
Address: 191 Gerrard St E, Toronto, ON M5A 3E5
Contact details: +1 416-963-9963
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
At the Native Women’s Resource Centre of Toronto, they’re all about helping urban Indigenous women and their families. They could use extra hands, whether it’s pitching in with catering or tutoring.
They offer all sorts of support, from housing outreach to community wellness, education, and more. So, if you’re keen to lend a hand and make a difference, they’d love to have more people on board!
| Pro tip: Apart from volunteering, you can also help out by spreading the word to others about the website where they can donate. Just let them know how they can chip in! |
Zoomies
Address: 3560 Bathurst St, Toronto, ON M6A 2E1
Contact details: +1 416-785-2500
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Baycrest is a health center that offers a range of services for older adults, all in one place. They’ve got everything from independent living to long-term care, plus a special hospital just for older folks.
Their Seniors Support Program pairs volunteers with seniors in the community who could use some company. You can make a real difference by simply chatting with them over the phone or through email once a week!
| Pro tip: Volunteers in the program chat with their assigned seniors every week, either over the phone or via email. They’re there to listen, offer support, or share helpful info whenever needed. And if someone needs extra help, there’s always a social worker on hand. |
St. Felix Centre
– Media from st.felixcentre
Address: 25 Augusta Ave, Toronto, ON M5T 2K7
Contact details: +1 416-203-1624
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
At St. Felix Centre, you have the chance to pay it forward and make a difference in your community. They’re serving up full meals every day to those who need it most.
St. Felix Centre tackles food insecurity, offers transitional housing and social support, and even takes care of pets in need. Plus, students in the Service Excellence for Business program lend a hand during field trips as part of their coursework.
You can get involved in various ways at St. Felix Centre! Help by prepping, cooking, and serving meals for the Community Meals Program, organizing and distributing clothing, joining Community Cleanup events, hosting virtual training sessions for St. Felix House residents, and more.
| Pro tip: It’s worth noting that the interview process and volunteer organization can take some time. You might have to wait about two weeks before they get back to you after you’ve applied. The Volunteer Program Coordinator will reach out when they’re ready. |
Afri-Can FoodBasket
– Media from africanfoodbskt
Address: 4929 Jane St, North York, ON M3N 2K8
Contact details: +1 416-832-5639
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Afri-Can FoodBasket (AFB) is a non-profit based in Toronto that’s all about reducing hunger and promoting health in African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) communities across the GTA.
So, if you’re looking to make a difference, why not join one of their community gardens this summer? It’s a fantastic opportunity to get involved and contribute to a meaningful cause while enjoying the outdoors and getting your hands dirty!
| Pro tips: You can also pitch in by helping to distribute and deliver fresh, culturally sensitive fruits, vegetables, and staples for free to members of Toronto’s African, Caribbean, and Black communities. Just apply, and you’re all set to make a difference! |
