Are you between 13 and 29 looking for a volunteer opportunity in Ontario, Canada?
If so, Helping Hands Platform can help you find volunteer opportunities and support you in the application process for free!
We assist youth in finding volunteer opportunities according to individual skills, needs, and preferences. Earn valuable experiences to put on your resume while positively contributing to your community! Through volunteering, you can discover and fuel your passion for a career. You may also gain professional referees who can provide you with references. Sign up to book a one-on-one Zoom meeting with us to get started!
The Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) requires high school students to complete 40 community involvement hours to graduate. We acknowledge the various barriers to youth civic engagement, especially for individuals from marginalized communities (e.g., Newcomers, BIPOC Youth, and low-income households). There may be transportation costs, financial strains, extra responsibilities in the household, age restrictions in volunteer opportunities, lack of connections and/or opportunities in the area, and/or other stressors.
Helping Hands Platform strives to minimize barriers by providing support to connect young volunteers with community organizations. This is a win-win situation: community organizations can receive assistance from volunteers interested in their cause; and young people can fuel their passions, develop organizational skills, make connections, and take the first step in their career paths.
What counts towards my community involvement requirement for school?
- Unpaid work for a family business
- Co-op placement
- Any paid work
Formal Volunteering
Volunteering with an established organization. Examples:
- Volunteering at a hospital
- Canvassing and/or outreach with and for an organization
- Volunteering to serve meals at an established community kitchen
- Volunteering to fundraise with an organization to help local charities, and/or charitable causes
Informal Volunteering
Volunteering with Individuals or casual groups outside of established organizations. Examples:
- Volunteering to clean the streets with your friends or neighbours
- Assisting individuals in your neighbourhood who require support with carrying/delivering groceries
- Volunteering to babysit for neighbour/family free of charge
- Running a small food drive with family and/or friends to support your local food bank
Benefits of Volunteering for Students:
Explore career options!
Feel part of something much larger than yourself!
Meet new and exciting people!
Jumpstart your resume and college applications!
Gain recognition!
Enhance your communication skills!
Feel good about yourself!
Improve your community!
Discover new skills!
Make new friends!
How to find a volunteer opportunity?
- Reflect
- Apply
- Connect
Before starting volunteering you might want to think about where and how do you want to volunteer.
Fill out a student volunteering form here and find your volunteer opportunity very fast. It should not take longer than 5 minutes. Don't be shy and tell us everything!
After you submit the application, you will receive an email with further instructions. After that, you will be invited to do a face-to-face online call. During this call, you will get to know one of our caring and professional team members who will guide you through the process and answer all of your questions.
In case you are hesitating or unsure about something, reach us directly.
