Bay Street Hoops

Bay Street Hoops is about two things: basketball and community. The group organizes an annual basketball tournament among Toronto's leading law and accounting firms, financial services companies and other corporations, with the proceeds allocated to support a variety of leading charities.

Since 1995, over $500,000 has been raised for charities in the Toronto area, including $135,000 in 2002. Last year, more than 500 players from leading Toronto firms, as well as hundreds of spectators and volunteers, attended the tournament and its related events.

Bay Street Hoops is seeking volunteers to assist in the organization, planning, marketing and administration of this important tournament. Volunteers signing up now will assist in hosting next year’s tournament, scheduled for March 31 – April 2, 2005.

Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Toronto

Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Toronto (BBBST) provides direct service to the community by matching volunteers who serve as friends and provide positive influence in the lives of children and youth living in the City of Toronto.

At the moment, there are nearly 500 children, predominantly Little Brothers, waiting to be matched with a Big Brother volunteer.

Volunteers, 19 years and older, or youth volunteers 17 years and older in our school based programs, who are interested in sharing activities, hobbies and just want to be a friend to a Little Brother or Sister can share a little magic! Volunteers can participate for as little as 1 hour a week in the one-to-one In-School Mentoring Program or 3 hours per month in our Group Program. There is also the Original Program that has been set up to suit busy lifestyles, 2 hours a week or 4 hours bi-weekly, flexible to your schedule. BBBST are experts at matching volunteers and children with similar interests so that it’s a great experience!

Canada25

Canada25 is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to building a more active Canadian citizenry through public policy education and development. We work with Canadians, aged 20-35, to educate them on the critical issues facing the country, provide them with opportunities to contribute their ideas and perspectives to those issues through debates with people from across Canada and help them make a meaningful contribution to the issues they care about most.

As a volunteer for Canada25, you will have the opportunity to shape a relatively new organization as it embarks on a new slate of projects for 2004-2005. You will interact with exceptional young Canadians, from a number of backgrounds, living across the country and around the world, and you will develop skills in a wide-range of areas, including communications, policy development and leadership.

In addition to volunteers for event organization and policy contributions, Canada25 is looking for individuals with specific skills:

• An individual to assist the Director of Finance and Executive Director in updating financial information, analyzing monthly budgets to actual performance, performing reconciliations, and assisting with audits. The individual should have an understanding of Simply Accounting and GAAP.



• An individual to help Canada25 execute its national fundraising strategy. You should be comfortable speaking to people over the phone as well as communicating the benefits of the partnering with Canada25 in a compelling way. Strong written and oral communications are essential.



• A webmaster to maintain, update, and extend the Canada25 website on a regular basis.

Canadian Red Cross: Homeless Services

The Canadian Red Cross is an organization with a mission to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity in Canada and around the world.

Volunteers are needed with Street Relief Services, which offers two programs. Monday mornings they offer a free breakfast for the homeless that runs from 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. Food, as well as hygiene supplies, are distributed to all those who come in. Wednesday nights a free dinner is handed out from 5:30 – 8:30 pm. That night there is also a foot care doctor available to the homeless since the service is not covered by the government. Volunteers at both sessions will be required to help with preparation before or clean-up after the posted times. Volunteers are needed for both sessions, and you are asked to make a minimum six-month commitment for either program. Jobs include setting up the area to distribute food, distributing food, greeting clients as they enter, and building relationships with the clients.

Both programs run out of Our Lady of Lourdes Church on 41 Earl Street, by Wellesley and Sherbourne.

Culture Link

Moving to a new country isn’t easy. Many newcomers to Canada have difficulties adjusting to a new language, a new culture and a whole new way of living. That’s where CultureLink comes in! CultureLink is a settlement agency for new Canadians in Toronto. The organization administers programs promoting self-sufficiency, positive interaction and understanding between the Host and Newcomer communities, and the overall well-being of all participants.

CultureLink is looking for volunteers for its Host Program, which matches established Canadians with newcomers to facilitate supportive friendships which can benefit both. Volunteers are matched with new Canadians for a 4-6 month term on the basis of gender, age, and residential location. Although this is the minimum term, most relationship blossom into long-term relationships. The timing of contact is flexible, but new friends are expected to make weekly contact and to meet at least twice per month for conversation, social interaction and resource/information sharing.

CultureLink is also looking for volunteers interested in helping newcomers improve their English speaking skills in a group setting, with their English Conversation Circle. Use your strong communications skills to help others master the language through patience, creativity and encouragement.

Daytrippers

It would be an understatement to say that some of the most exciting days of school were those where you went on a day-trip! It was a time when you were able to step out of the classroom and learn about the world around you and how your studies applied to it.

Daytrippers is a non-profit children's charity formed in Toronto by a group of young professionals wanting to give back to the community. We step in to raise funding for excursions to recognized educational and cultural institutions for school groups in lower-income and far reaching areas. Daytrippers is composed entirely of volunteer young professionals and students. We are proud of our efficiency ratio: 98 cents of every dollar raised last year was reserved for trips expenses.

We are looking for enthusiastic, outstanding individuals to join our team of volunteers. Positions are available on the Fundraising, Marketing, and Trips Committees. The positions require a 1 to 2 hour weekly commitment and we ask that each volunteer commit to a minimum of one-year engagement.

Earth Day Canada

Earth Day Canada (EDC) is a national charitable environmental communications organization. EDC’s mandate is to improve the state of the environment by empowering Canadians to take action and achieve local solutions.

In addition to the annual celebration of Earth Day every April 22nd, EDC also delivers programs for Canadians of all ages: EcoKids (for kids), ecoMentors (for teens), EcoAction Teams (for adults and families) and Toyota Earth Day Scholarship (for post-secondary bound students).

Eva's Phoenix

Eva’s Phoenix (EP) is a transitional shelter and training facility for homeless and at-risk youth, and is one of three shelters operated by Eva’s Initiative. Here they provide innovative programs that train, and find employment and housing for the up to 50 youth, age16-24, that live on site. Eva’s Phoenix is looking for people young professionals to volunteer in their One to One Mentorship program.

One of the harsh realities for these youth is that they lack any formal or informal networks for practical career advice. For them, a mentor becomes a positive role model who encourages them to develop values and attitudes of success. As a mentor, you have the opportunity to have a direct impact on the life of a young person, which can be deeply satisfying. You will also develop your teaching, leadership and communication skills while gaining a very personal insight into issues facing homeless youth.

EP is seeking mentors who are able to make a minimum 3-month commitment. Mentors meet for one hour, once a week, with the youth they are paired up with. The time and location of the meetings is made by the pairing in order to meet busy schedules.

JUMP Tutoring

With the assistance of partnering elementary schools, JUMP offers free tutoring to Toronto students identified as having difficulty with mathematics. A registered charity, JUMP specifically targets children from low-income families who could not otherwise afford private assistance.

JUMP’s mandate is two-fold: to provide the tools necessary for children to fulfill their academic potential, and to introduce systemic changes in their work habits and build a sense of confidence and optimism that lasts a lifetime. Through JUMP’s innovative math programs, children who might otherwise be overlooked and remain unaware of their potential are now succeeding daily.

JUMP is currently seeking the following types of volunteers:

• One-on-One Tutors to provide lessons to students before or after school, or in the evenings or weekends. Tutoring typically takes place from 8-9 a.m. or 3:30-4:30 p.m. for one hour each week.



• In-Class Tutors to provide class support to participating teachers (this program takes place during regular school hours).

As well, JUMP is seeking volunteers who might provide general organizational support: accounting guidance, public relations expertise, fundraising skills or other areas of volunteer interest.

LOFT Community Services

LOFT is a community service organization that offers permanent housing, community outreach, and supportive housing services to over 2,500 vulnerable and homeless people at 50 sites in the Greater Toronto area and York Region.

LOFT accepts people on their own terms, providing the necessary resources to support them as they recover their health, dignity, and self-esteem. The ladder in their logo represents the tools offered people to help them rise up and regain their lives. From modest beginnings in 1953, LOFT has become one of the area's most diverse organizations dealing with homelessness, with programs specifically designed to meet the housing and support challenges of youth, adults, and seniors with special needs. LOFT's housing portfolio currently serves over 700 people per year, its community support services reach an additional 600 people, and its outreach services another 1,200.

LOFT is seeking volunteers for its Community Services Senior's Programs, which provide specialized housing, outreach and support in Toronto to frail, isolated seniors with various special needs through four supportive housing services located in downtown Toronto. In particular, volunteers are needed for: assistance during meals, social activities and special events, clerical support, drivers, entertainment, friendly visiting, store assistance, social recreation, escorts to shopping and medical appointments, spring cleaning and maintenance.

If anyone has painting experience and is interested in leading a group of eager TVB volunteers for a weekend painting blitz, LOFT could use our assistance in keeping its facilities looking clean and fresh. Please contact us if you know anyone that fits this description!

Mid-Toronto Community Services

Mid-Toronto Community Services (MTCS) is a not-for-profit organization that is inclusive and responsive to the needs of seniors and adults living with disabilities or illness by providing programs and services to promote healthy and independent living. The MTCS catchment extends from the lake to the CPR tracks near Summerhill, and from Yonge Street to the Don Valley Parkway.

MTCS requires volunteers for its Meals on Wheels program. The program requires “runners” and drivers to deliver meals to individuals who are unable to prepare their own meals. Volunteers are especially needed for the weekend program, but during the week positions are also available. The time commitment of a shift is 2 hours, and runs from 11 am until 1 pm. Volunteers are asked to commit to attending weekly or bi-weekly.

For those interested in being drivers there is the option of using your own car or a MTCS vehicle (must be 25 or older to drive MTCS vehicle), therefore a valid driver’s license and insurance is mandatory for the position.

Special Olympics Ontario

Special Olympics Ontario is a community-based program oriented around local sport clubs, which give athletes the opportunity to train and compete twelve months of the year. Invitational and Regional meets occur frequently, and athletes advance through a regular cycle of Provincial Games to compete in both National and World Games and Championships. Provincial competitions are held in the Spring, Summer and Winter every two years. National Summer and Winter Competitions are conducted every four years, as are World Winter and Summer competitions. This competition cycle ensures that Canadian athletes have an opportunity to compete every year in either a provincial, national or international event.

Volunteers are needed on a regular basis for a variety of roles, from coaching to administration and the time commitments vary accordingly.

We will be organizing "one-off" volunteering events to support Special Olympics Games, so stay tuned to this website or enroll now for our e-newsletter to receive updates.

Toronto Bay Initiative

The Toronto Bay Initiative (TBI) is a charitable organization dedicated to achieving a cleaner, greener, healthier Toronto Bay.

TBI has numerous events planned throughout the year. Examples of events include a Spadina Quay Wetland event. At this event, volunteers join together at Toronto’s newest lakefront wetland and together remove Queen Anne’s lace, Canada thistle, and other unwanted plants. It’s also a chance to learn about native plants, and why invasive species are so darn pesky. A second event that TBI is involved with is Sand Dune Restoration. The Hanlan’s Point sand dunes are beautiful, rare and fragile – and they need your help! Join TBI as they plant trees, shrubs and plants to restore and preserve these unique landforms. The Toronto Volunteer Bridge plans to help out at a number of these events as ‘one-off’ opportunities as well, so keep an eye on the newsletter for details.

The Toronto Bay Initiative is also looking for those interested in helping in the areas of Administration/In-office support, Board and Committee Members, as well as Event Promotion.

Toronto and Region Conservation for the Living City

The TRCA is focused on building the natural foundation for healthy sustainable communities, with specific objectives concerning healthy rivers and shorelines, regional biodiversity, sustainable communities, and business excellence.

Through its Environmental Volunteer Network (EVN), TRCA has more than 50 member environmental organizations and other partners, including fellow TVB partners the Toronto Bay Initiative and Evergreen. The EVN program offers a wide-variety of volunteering opportunities for a variety of skill sets, all across Toronto.

TRCA has both ongoing opportunities and drop-in events. Ongoing opportunities include Public Education, Land and Water Monitoring, and many more.

Volunteers are occasionally needed in the areas of Marketing, Management, Event Coordination and Fundraising.

Words on Work

NOTE: FOR FEMALE VOLUNTEERS ONLY

Words on Work inspires female students to explore a variety of different career options through the provision of career/life advice. In particular, the program seeks to provide young women with role models who have succeeded in a myriad of fields despite any obstacles they may have faced.

Teachers invite female volunteers into their classrooms to share their career experiences, goals, successes and challenges. Speaking opportunities range from classroom presentations to career fairs to live web casts. The time commitment can be tailored to the volunteer’s availability.

Volunteers complete an on-line profile that educators can browse and use to invite the potential speaker; the volunteer can then choose to accept or decline the opportunity and/or negotiate a mutually-acceptable date and time to speak. Speaking opportunities can range from classroom presentations to career fairs, to live chat sessions.