Places in the Greater Toronto Area that welcome volunteers with no experience. We check each one by hand, and you apply on the organization's own site.
These sites list roles from many organizations. Some ask you to create a free account.
Volunteer centre · Charity
In Markham, Richmond Hill and Vaughan
The volunteer centre for southern York Region, formerly Volunteer Markham. Search roles by age, interest or organization.
Volunteer centre · Charity
Across the Greater Toronto Area
Search roles near you by postal code. Run by the Volunteer Centre of Calgary, a charity.
Volunteer centre · Charity
In Ajax, Pickering, Whitby, Oshawa, Clarington, Uxbridge, Scugog and Brock
Run by United Way Durham Region. Search by community, length or interest, or use the step-by-step search for students.
Volunteer centre · Charity
In Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon
Filter roles by age group, length and city, or find roles that suit newcomers or co-op students.
Volunteer centre · Charity
In Toronto
Toronto's volunteer centre. It helps people find volunteer roles with organizations across the city.
Newcomer services · Charity
In Toronto, North York, Scarborough, Markham, Mississauga, Newmarket and Brampton
What volunteers do
Builds skills for
Greet visitors and do light office tasks at an ACCES office, at least 8 hours a week for 6 to 8 weeks. Other roles need work experience.
Events and festivals · Non-profit
In Toronto
What volunteers do
Builds skills for
Greet guests and give directions at the late-summer fair. Commit to at least six shifts; you get a certificate of your hours.
City program · Public organization
In Brampton
What volunteers do
Builds skills for
Aquatics roles need lifesaving certificates and skating roles need experience; most others need neither. A level 2 or 3 police record check is required.
City program · Public organization
In Markham
Can count toward Ontario's 40 high school volunteer hours. Your principal approves them.
What volunteers do
Builds skills for
One interview covers every department, from events and theatre to the museum and library. Short online training follows the interview.
City program · Public organization
In Mississauga
What volunteers do
Builds skills for
Roles in recreation, parks, museums and the library, including teen advisory groups and book sales. Apply through the City's portal.
City program · Public organization
In Toronto
Can count toward Ontario's 40 high school volunteer hours. Your principal approves them.
What volunteers do
Builds skills for
Not every centre takes volunteers. Screening, when a role needs it, is free for Toronto residents but can take months.
Events and festivals · Public organization
In Toronto
What volunteers do
Builds skills for
Be an information ambassador or usher at City events such as Nuit Blanche and Doors Open. Ages 16 and 17 need a parent's signed permission.
Food bank · Charity
In Toronto
What volunteers do
The usual minimum age is 18, but there are often roles for high school students. Ages 11 to 14 can join public food sorts with a parent.
Food bank · Charity
In Mississauga
What volunteers do
Builds skills for
Sort rescued fresh and frozen food. Children 9 and up can help with an adult. Book shifts online.
Food bank · Charity
In Burlington
Can count toward Ontario's 40 high school volunteer hours. Your principal approves them.
What volunteers do
Builds skills for
Pack rescued food on weekday shifts in Burlington. Ages 12 and 13 can help in the pack room with an adult. Expect to lift up to 50 lb.
Thrift store · Charity
In Burlington, Milton and Mississauga
Can count toward Ontario's 40 high school volunteer hours. Your principal approves them.
What volunteers do
Be a cashier or store associate, or lift heavy items in the warehouse. High school students need at least 50 hours to get a letter of their hours.
Seniors' programs · Public organization
In Milton, Burlington, Oakville and Halton Hills
Can count toward Ontario's 40 high school volunteer hours. Your principal approves them.
What volunteers do
Builds skills for
High school students can do a 40-hour placement at one of the Region's long-term care homes or adult day programs.
Hospital · Public organization
In Oshawa and Ajax
What volunteers do
Builds skills for
High school students can volunteer at fewer sites than adults, so check the page. Expect one 3- to 4-hour shift a week and a two-step TB test.
Animal welfare · Charity
In Stouffville and Whitby
What volunteers do
Choose the York Region centre in Stouffville or the Durham centre in Whitby. Shifts are 2 to 4 hours, at least every other week. Fostering is 18+.
Library · Public organization
In Pickering
Can count toward Ontario's 40 high school volunteer hours. Your principal approves them.
What volunteers do
Builds skills for
For Durham Region residents, and you can hold only one role. Event helpers set up and help run library events.
Seniors' programs · Public organization
In Brampton, Mississauga and Caledon
What volunteers do
Builds skills for
Run activities, help at meals or staff a small store for residents, 3 hours a week for at least 60 hours. Some experience with seniors is asked for.
Food bank · Non-profit
In Mississauga
Can count toward Ontario's 40 high school volunteer hours. Your principal approves them.
What volunteers do
Builds skills for
For Peel residents. Under 16 needs a parent's consent. Families with younger children can join family volunteer days.
Hospital · Public organization
In Toronto
Can count toward Ontario's 40 high school volunteer hours. Your principal approves them.
What volunteers do
Builds skills for
A one-month summer program for high school students, with weekday shifts. Places are limited, so apply early.
Food bank · Charity
In Oshawa
What volunteers do
Builds skills for
Help at the food bank, the seniors program or the after-school snack program. Sign up with the online form on the page.
Sport and recreation · Charity
Across the Greater Toronto Area
What volunteers do
Help coaches at practices or work at local competitions, from a few hours a year to every week. Ages 14 to 18 can ask about junior roles.
Seniors' programs · Non-profit
In Toronto
What volunteers do
Builds skills for
Meals on Wheels runners ride along on routes and kitchen volunteers pack meals, so no car is needed. Weekly volunteers stay at least 3 months.
Meal program · Charity
In Toronto
What volunteers do
Start with an info session, an interview and a trial shift. Regular volunteers give one weekday shift of 3 to 5 hours a week for 4 to 6 months.
Library · Public organization
In Toronto
Can count toward Ontario's 40 high school volunteer hours. Your principal approves them.
What volunteers do
Teens and adults give children one hour a week of reading help. The library pays for the vulnerable sector check. Fluent English is needed.
Parks and environment · Public organization
In Caledon
Can count toward Ontario's 40 high school volunteer hours. Your principal approves them.
What volunteers do
High school students join outdoor crews for a few days in summer or fall and earn community service hours. Join the mailing list for dates.
Hospital · Public organization
In Brampton and Etobicoke
What volunteers do
Builds skills for
No experience needed: lobby volunteers greet people and give directions. Expect a weekly 2- to 4-hour shift; screening can take up to 3 months.
Volunteering
Can't give a weekly shift? Find one-day volunteer roles at festivals, races, food sorts and tree plantings, and learn how to make short shifts count.
Volunteering
What counts toward Ontario's 40 high school volunteer hours, what doesn't, tasks and minimum ages, getting approval, logging hours, and the Minister's Certificate.
Volunteering
Which police check a volunteer role needs, which checks are free in BC and Ontario, where to apply, the letter to bring, fingerprints, and how long it takes.
Ready for a paid job? Entry-level jobs in the Greater Toronto Area →
We are not part of these organizations. Roles, age limits and rules change, so read the organization's page before you apply.