Volunteer Opportunities
Family Services Food Bank
Family Services provides emergency food for families and individuals. Volunteers participate in bagging groceries, stocking shelves and greeting guests. Volunteers must be 16 years of age or older and are asked to work one shift (3.5 hours) per week.
Volunteer position: Food Bank Assistants
Good Shepherd Centre
The Good Shepherd Centre offers men an emergency shelter called the Emergency Hostel. Volunteers who work at the Emergency Hostel must be male and at least 20 years of age and be available to work one evening shift from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Volunteers socialize with guests, assist with night supervision and provide the evening snack, towels and pajamas. Volunteers also do the laundry for overnight guests. The Good Shepherd Centre provides a daily hot meal which volunteers (in groups of 8 to 10) prepare and serve to approximately 300 guests. This shift occurs during the afternoons from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Volunteers must be at least 13 years of age and have parental consent if between 13 and 15 years. The Clothing Room volunteers must be 20 years of age or older and assist guests with their clothing needs during the morning from 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon.
Volunteer positions:
Clothing Room Assistants
Hot Meal Program Volunteers
Emergency Hostel Assistants
Food Preparation
The Warehouse
Our three-storey Warehouse is a storage facility and distribution centre for donations of food and clothing. Volunteers assist with the management of incoming donations. Food Sorters organize food donations, while Clothing Sorters work in the clothing room sorting, organizing and hanging clothes. Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age and are asked to work one shift per week for 3 hours.
Volunteer positions:
Warehouse Assistants
Food Sorters
Clothing Sorters
Non – Profit Homes, Homes Program
Steps to Health Program provides opportunities for H.O.M.E.S. tenants (individuals who have been homeless and are living with a mental illness) to participate in exercise and nutrition classes to improve overall health. Volunteers support tenants once a week for approximately 1-2 hours either in a walking group or through one on one interaction at the YMCA. Volunteers must be 21 years of age or older.
Volunteer positions:
Activity assistant
Non – Profit Homes, Homes Program
Emmanuel House is a 10-bed, palliative care residence offering physical, emotional, spiritual and supportive care to guests who are nearing the end of life due to terminal illness. Volunteers must be 21 years of age or older and asked to work a 3 hour shift, duties include friendly visiting, assisting with meal preparation, feeding and cleanup.
Volunteer positions:
Friendly Visitors
Specialized Skills
Women’s Services
Martha House is a secure 28-bed emergency shelter dedicated to assisting women and children who have experienced abuse. Guests receive food, shelter, counseling and advocacy during their stay. Volunteers help in a variety of ways that include friendly visiting, administration, assisting with food preparation and clean up. Child and youth volunteers provide childcare for the children. Volunteers need to be female, 21 years of age or over and available to work a 3 hour shift per week.
Volunteer positions:
Shift Assistants
Child & Youth Assistants
Mary’s Place is a 9-bed emergency shelter for women 18 years of age or older. The shelter is designed to provide safety, support and emergency accommodation to women who might otherwise experience difficulty in accessing refuge. Volunteers must be female, 21 years of age and work a 3 hour shift per week. Duties may include friendly visiting, administration, or assisting guests with meal preparation.
Volunteer positions:
Activity Leaders
Somerville House offers a 10-bed, long-term supportive living environment for women, 18 years of age and older who have experienced difficulty in sustaining safe, accessible housing. Volunteers can coach residents in learning new skills and social development or offer friendly visiting. Volunteers need to be female and 21 years of age or over and be available to work a 3 hour shift per week.
Volunteer positions:
Activity Leaders
Youth Services
Brennan House is a 15-bed, long-term, supportive residence for homeless teens. Young people receive life-skills training and social and emotional support as they prepare for independent living. Activity Volunteers participate in special events and activities and helps residents with homework. Must be 19 years of age or older and available to work 1-3 hours per shift depending on the program.
Volunteer positions:
Activity Leaders
Homework Assistants
Notre Dame House offers a 21-bed emergency shelter, a multi-agency resource centre, and a nourishing meal program for homeless teens. It provides young people with an opportunity to get off the streets and to access a number of community agencies dedicated to youth. Volunteers assist students with schoolwork, help in the kitchen and serve meals, and visit with youth. Volunteers are asked to work three hours per week and must be 19 years of age or older.
Volunteer positions:
Classroom Assistant
Food Servers
Activity Leaders
Angela's Place offers young parenting mothers age 16-21 safe, affordable housing in a comfortable setting. Volunteers offer childcare for infants and toddlers while mothers participate in group programs. Volunteers must be 16 years or older and work 1-3 hours per week, depending on the program.
Volunteer positions:
Childcare Assistant
Family Centre
The Family Centre offers temporary emergency accomodation and residential support to as many as 20 families who have become homeless. Volunteers must be 16 years or older and provide childcare.
Volunteer positions:
Childcare Assistant
Occasional: Seasonal & Special Event Volunteers
Christmas Store
Christmas Dinner
Easter Dinner
Thanksgiving Dinner
Summer Student Program
Specialized Skills
Good Shepherd is always looking for volunteers with specialized skills such as beauticians, artists, literacy teachers and palliative care workers. Your special talents are of particular value to our clients.
Volunteer groups are welcome!
For more information on volunteerism with the Good Shepherd, email volunteer@goodshepherdcentres.ca or call 905-57-ANGEL (905-572-6435).