Volunteer in your community

Volunteers are welcomed and valued in every Ontario community. You can find a volunteer opportunity near you by contacting organizations such as:

  • volunteer centres
  • not-for-profit or charitable organizations
  • professional networks
  • heritage sites and museums
  • citizen advisory committees of your local government

Students

Students in Ontario must complete community involvement hours to get their high school diploma.

Learn more about how to get your high school volunteer hours.

Safety

Your safety and well-being while volunteering is important. Learn tips and best practices to stay safe when volunteering in Ontario, including:

  • hazards of a job
  • whether your volunteer activity has any age restrictions
  • what to do if you are injured while volunteering

The Ontario Human Rights Commission considers volunteers to be covered under section 5 of the Human Rights Code. Make sure you know your rights when volunteering.

Learn more about health and safety for volunteers.

Accessibility

Organizations are responsible for making sure that services provided by volunteers follow Ontario’s accessibility standards.

Volunteers can take the volunteering and accessibility online training video to learn about accessibility tools and practices.

Learn more about the accessibility standards and your obligations.

Volunteering honours and awards

Learn how to nominate someone for honours and awards for achievements in volunteering, including:

  • Ontario Medal for Young Volunteers
  • Ontario Volunteer Service Awards
  • June Callwood Outstanding Achievement Award for Voluntarism
  • Lieutenant Governor’s Community Volunteer Award for Students

Learn more about these awards and how to nominate someone.