Volunteer Opportunities

photo by Christine Fournier

Volunteering has many benefits that should not be ignored like a sense of accomplishment and pride,
learning valuable skills, spending time with like-minded people and giving back to others who need it.
Being a volunteer is fun but most of all it is rewarding in ways never imagined.

Volunteering should be an important aspect of anyone's life. Many people rely on the work done by
countless volunteers through a large variety of organizations that the city has to offer. Were it not for
the hard work done by these dedicated people, it could mean hardship for a lot of people, for example
500,000 people are helped by Centraide in the greater Montreal area each year. Through other
charitable organizations money is raised for medical research, people gain an awareness of social issues,
animals get rescued and adopted, children are mentored as well as many other causes which benefit
from volunteerism.

Whether you are new to a city or not, lending a hand with one of the many organizations in the city is a
good way to meet people and contribute to improving the city's quality of life. Volunteer opportunities
can be found in many areas such as community services, health and medicine, justice and legal, libraries,
poverty, animal rescue, education or victim services, just to name a few.
Volunteer Bureau of Montreal
The bureau was set up in 1937 by the Junior
League. Its purpose is to serve as a central
volunteer bureau for the city of Montreal, though
originally it was meant to get women involved in
community services. Prospective volunteers meet
with one the bureau's counsellors for a short
interview before being placed with organizations
that suit their interests and abilities.

Fédération des centres d'action bénévole du Québec

This federation was set up in 1972 by the government to bring together over a hundred volunteer
centers in Quebec. Their website was recently set up through a provincial government program and
offers links to the many volunteer bureaus in the province as well as information on different programs
and a store that sells book to help associations with their missions and a few products such as pins or
cards. At this time the site is in French only.

Canadian Relocation Systems

This website is a hub of resources for people who are relocating to Canada. It offers information on a
variety of issues and categories that are important when moving to a new country. The material is
sorted by categories as well as by 50 cities located throughout the country. The Montreal page offers a
link to volunteer services that can be found in the city.
Katimavik

This program was set up to promote the concept

of learning through community service amongst
young people between the ages of 17 and 21. It is
an intense six-month program where a group of 10
youth travel to one or two different regions and
volunteer with different organizations. At this time
they offer four different theme programs and
though the program is not free for participants the
costs are minimal.

Student Volunteer Opportunities

Most universities and CEGEPs have volunteer programs for their students through student-run clubs
opening the doors to many organizations both on and off campus.

Canada's Higher Education and Career Guide - offers many links in different categories.
Centraide

Centraide comes to the aid of people who are

having problems because they have been hit by
poverty. It raises millions of dollars annually to
help those in need.

Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA)

Their mission is to help animals by taking in

neglected, abandoned and exploited animals;
raising awareness and educate the public as well
as responding, investigating and prosecuting cases
of animal cruelty.

Habitat for Humanity Montreal

This non-profit organization builds simple, decent

and affordable housing by partnering with people
in need and teaching them responsible home
ownership.
Dans La Rue

Father Emmett Johns, fondly known as Pops, founded this community-based organization in 1988. Dans
La Rue works with street-kids and at-risk youth between the age of 12 to215 through outreach and
education programs.