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Volunteering is a good way to meet new people, develop new skills, learn about Canadian culture, and become engaged in the community. Hospitals, libraries, schools and community organizations often offer opportunities to volunteer.
A series of events held every June, celebrating the town of Ancaster and honouring its heritage. Includes a parade, soap box derby races, children’s area, local dining, heritage exhibits, and fireworks.
The Ancaster Horticultural Society offers volunteer gardening opportunities in Ancaster. They also offer annual memberships. They have hosted the Trillium Awards in Ancaster for gardens in Ancaster.
Provides youth who face barriers with an opportunity to build community and skills through the arts. Working with award winning Hamilton artists, youth explore various creative pursuits which promote self-discovery, leadership development, and an active dialogue with the city at large.
Volunteers at AGH foster interest in, promote the use of, and increase the support for the Art Gallery of Hamilton. Volunteer opportunities available for: education docent, high school volunteers, film, special events, visitor and member services, and retail.
Assist RBG gardeners with routine maintenance of the gardens on various mornings throughout the week. No experience necessary.
Transportation is available, free of charge, to and from cancer-related medical appointments. All rides coordinated through CAP’s Drive & Ride program are provided by compassionate and trained volunteers.
A non-for-profit, artist-run gallery and shop operated by the Dundas Arts and Craft Association. The Gallery Exhibition space exhibits arts and crafts created by contemporary Canadian artists with exhibitions changing on a monthly basis.
A variety of volunteer opportunities are available from shop sales person to administrative work to exhibition installation.
Telephone support for socially isolated seniors, by senior peer volunteers.
Volunteers assist residents in day-to-day activities, provide companionship, and raise funds. Volunteers can be involved in activities such as recreational programs, friendly visiting, and other special events and in-house services. High school co-op education placements are available in the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters.
Volunteers serve throughout Hamilton Health Sciences’ hospitals and provide non-medical support and companionship to inpatients and outpatients.
Provides individualized one-on-one lessons for adult students looking to learn skills in reading, math, computers, or spelling
Distress Centre Halton is a non-profit charitable organization that provides telephone and online support to people 365 days of the year. All services are confidential, anonymous, free and available to all age groups. They are staffed by volunteers who receive extensive training including communication, sensitivity, crisis management, and active listening.
Programs include:
The Lady Hamilton Club offers free walking tours of downtown Hamilton from May to October each year from 28 James Street North’s Lister Block.
This volunteer run organization is open to new members volunteering to help with these tours.
Provides recreational, low-pressure dance and acting classes year round for all experience levels. Produces three community theatre musicals per year. Volunteer opportunities are available onstage, backstage, or in the administration department.
Friendly callers offer companionship and quality conversations through weekly calls. Clients will also have access to other helpful resources and information within the community. Calls usually last 15-30 min. Trained volunteers are matched with a client by similar interests and background. Please note that this service does not include in-person friendly visits.
Provides companionship and support to help seniors or persons with disabilities remain independent in their homes. This programs aims to enrich the social interaction of individuals by connecting them to the community and other helpful resources. Visits last around one hour and usually take place in the client’s home (including retirement residences) once per week.
Each friendly visitor volunteer is carefully matched with a client by similar interests and background. All volunteers are required to provide a valid Vulnerable Sector Screening Check, take part in the interview process, pass the reference check, and participate in a training session.
Annual event held during the first full weekend of June. Buskers from all around the world perform, including jugglers, stilt-walkers, comedians and other various performers. Volunteer opportunities for this event are available.
An amateur group performing dramatic works at the Garstin Center for the Arts. Accepts high school student volunteers as ushers, ticket takers, and in backstage production. Facilities are available for rental for cultural groups but not for private parties.
Community museum showcasing how Canadian history and geography has unfolded in the Dundas Valley.
Offers a variety of exhibits and educational programs.
Also offers hall rental with a capacity of 90 people at a standing reception and 60 seated at tables. Chairs and tables are included in the rental.
A number of volunteer opportunities are available ranging from archival work to clerical and hospitality.
The service acts as a community resource for volunteerism in Dundas and surrounding area. Services include:
This program provides volunteers the opportunity to support local eligible residents who do not drive or have access to public transit the ability to attend appointments and activities in the Flamborough area.
Offers shopping services every other week for Flamborough residents who are unable to get to the grocery store. Clients provide their grocery list and a volunteer will do their shopping and deliver their groceries to their home.
Volunteer organization that advocates for French as a second language programs and services in Hamilton schools. Also offers programming for children to learn and speak French outside of the classroom and resources for parents and teachers to learn and teach the French language.
A thrift store selling gently used clothing and household goods. Profits are used by the church to create positive change in local neighbourhoods. Donations can be dropped off anytime during store hours and must be smoke-free and bug/pest-free.
Volunteers are needed to assist with serving vulnerable persons in the community.
Matches children and teens with volunteers from the community. Pairs meet regularly, sharing interests and activities while building friendships, and the caregivers benefit from additional respite.
Buddy Program: The volunteer takes the child or teen on outings in the community for 6-8 hours each month.
Virtual Buddy Program: The volunteer and the child or teen meet regularly over online platforms, engaging in a variety of social activities including chatting, reading, singing, or playing games.
The Hamilton Aviary hosts community events to promote awareness and foster a love of birds. The Aviary is open on Sundays for an open house. Volunteer opportunities are available in daily care and enrichment, tidy up, tour guides, special committees, events assistance, plant care, and the board of directors.
An annual 12-day unjuried event that occurs annually in the summer months, presenting live theatre in an informal, accessible and inexpensive environment. Strives to break down traditional boundaries between audience and artist, encouraging open dialogue between theatre-goers and theatre-creators. Volunteering opportunities available. Check website for details.
The Hamilton Museum of Mental Health Care is committed to the collection, interpretation and continued preservation of the history of mental health care at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton Margaret and Charles Juravinski Centre for Integrated Healthcare. This collection represents artifacts and information from the earliest days when the hospital was known as Ontario Hospital Hamilton until the present. The museum seeks to provide a place to learn and share knowledge and understanding of mental health care. Staffed by volunteers during open hours.
The Huntington Society of Canada – Toronto Chapter supports those living in Hamilton with support groups, volunteer opportunities and events.
Matches volunteers and clients who have similar interests and who want to share their time. Activities can include shopping, movies or events, or just a chat over coffee.
A mentorship program that matches internationally educated professionals with industry-specific mentors to assist in their settlement process, language skills development, entrepreneurship guidance, and search for employment.
Mentors meet with their mentees one hour each week for up to four months.
Newcomer Learning Centre at Hamilton Public Library serves people who are new to Canada.
Services include:
Matches volunteer students with seniors and people with disabilities in need of snow removal.
Offers educational sessions run by active senior volunteers. Sessions teach about epilepsy and how to recognize symptoms. Can be run at any community location.
A volunteer-driven snow removal service for low-income seniors and people with disabilities who live in the City of Hamilton to help ensure the safety of the residents and their caregivers.
Volunteers agree to follow suggested safety tips while removing snow and ice from the following areas of a client’s residence:
Matches community members to volunteer opportunities at St. Joseph’s Villa long term care facility based on candidate’s interest and personal goals.
Opportunities include:
Hamilton’s largest annual free music and arts festival, held on James Street North every September. Features a diverse lineup of music, art, fashion, performance, talks, crafts, food, and fun.
Offers free, on-call delivery of unused needles, condoms, and other harm reduction supplies, to people who use substances by injection and/or inhalation. Service users are encouraged to return used needles for disposal. Staff offer confidential support, education, and referrals to clients for services including addictions support, detox, health care, and shelter.
Other harm reduction supplies include:
Provides delivered meals for residents who are unable to attend to their own nutritional needs, yet wish to continue living independently in the community. Volunteers are selected through a screening process and provide social contact as well as monitor the well-being of the client.
Meals on Wheels (Frozen) – Clients are given several frozen meal options to choose from and special dietary items are also available. All meals can be easily reheated in a microwave or conventional oven.
Meals on Wheels (Hot) – Affordable, hot, and nutritious meals, delivered to clients’ doors.
Trained volunteers provide companionship and personal assistance to isolated seniors or adults with chronic illnesses or physical or cognitive disabilities. Visits are one to two hours long and occur on a regular weekly or biweekly basis. The compatibility of clients and volunteers is determined through a careful interview process.
A community theatre group in Waterdown that offers two productions each year.
Supports patient care at Hamilton Health Sciences through the operation of cafes, cafeterias, parking facilities, Give Shops, and retail services across the organization. All profits generated across Hamilton Health Sciences Volunteer Association shops and services are donated to enhance patient care.
Volunteers support and enhance the patient experience at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton and are assisted with choosing a placement that fits personal goals and personality.
Specially trained volunteers offer social and emotional support to children, adults, and families living with a life-threatening illness in Greater Hamilton. Support is provided through phone and video chat.
Assists eligible clients with their short-term travel to attend their cancer-specific medical appointments or supportive care services delivered by a professional recognized by Ontario’s Health Care System. Services available to individuals or a whole family. Opportunities for volunteer drivers are available and drivers are reimbursed for their expenses.
Offers free youth drop-in programs in a safe and inclusive environment.
Services include: