Volunteering with a local charitable organization does more than provide support to community members in need. From working a shift at a food bank to helping seniors and adults with disabilities live independently at home, these opportunities allow you to create stronger bonds with your community and develop new skills.
There are hundreds of registered charitable organizations in the Waterloo Region needing volunteers. The need is more critical than ever as costs for essentials like food and rent continue to increase. Cameron Tai, Communications Specialist at Volunteer Waterloo Region, said finding the right volunteering opportunity starts with finding a cause you are passionate about.
“Once you find that, look into the volunteering opportunities around that. Look to see if you can use your talents in some way to support that,” he said.
Volunteer Waterloo Region is a nonprofit organization that supports other charities and nonprofits in their volunteering efforts. It helps volunteers find opportunities that match their interests and abilities and helps organizations identify their needs and create a volunteer program.
The organization also helps high school students find volunteering opportunities to meet their graduation volunteer hour requirement.
With hundreds of nonprofits and charitable organizations in Waterloo Region, Tai said there is an opportunity for everyone that fits their interests. He added that Volunteer Waterloo Region wants to ensure everybody can be served and serve.
“These volunteering opportunities can be a way to find something that maybe you never knew you had in you,” he said.
Here are six organizations that have volunteer opportunities available. You can discover more about these and others at volunteerwr.ca.
Humane Society of Kitchener-Waterloo & Stratford Perth
The Humane Society of Kitchener Waterloo & Stratford Perth provides pet adoption, veterinary care and community outreach programs for people and pets. The Humane Society offers individual and corporate volunteering opportunities, including fostering a pet, dog walking and being part of its street team at events across the region.
Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre
The Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre provides services to support the settlement and integration of newcomers to help new Canadians fully participate in the community. You can volunteer in the Conversational English Program to have a one-on-one with someone learning English or in the WR Connector Program, which pairs a local professional with a new Canadian in the same professional field or industry.
Community Support Connections helps people, especially older adults, to maintain independence in their homes. Its services include meal delivery, exercise and fall prevention classes, social support, transportation and homemaking, tailored to meet diverse client needs in the community. The organization offers multiple volunteering opportunities, including delivering meals, driving clients to appointments, and working in its kitchen.
Red Raccoon Bike Rescue provides free bike repair services in Kitchener-Waterloo, where volunteers assist with repairs or guide you in fixing your bike using available tools and parts. The organization operates through volunteer efforts, offering opportunities to help with bike repairs, assist others in using tools, and support the running of the workshop.
Rhythm & Blues Cambridge is dedicated to empowering and celebrating the Black community in Waterloo Region through programs and events that promote cultural awareness and community engagement. Their initiatives include events like Black History Month celebrations, youth programs such as Black Girl Excellence, and community outreach efforts. Volunteers can get involved by supporting these events and assisting with program facilitation.
Bridges to Belonging helps foster a sense of belonging within the community for people living with disabilities. It offers volunteer opportunities, including making friends through its BE-Friends program, assisting with events, and supporting various initiatives to enhance inclusion and belonging.
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