Volunteer ? Why should I ?
Newcomers to Canada are often told "You should volunteer!". Why? If you are busy with your job and family or you are looking for a job, you may feel that you do not have the time to volunteer. After all, you don't get paid! But there are lots of good reasons to volunteer: you build your skills; practice your English; make connections with new people; gain experience in a Canadian workplace or recreational setting; learn about new interests and hobbies; act as part of your community, find a sense of belonging and the list goes on.
What about if I'm looking for a job? Well, I was reading about volunteering and found some personal stories of young people looking for work. One young woman volunteered at an art magazine and eventually got a job with a marketing agency that valued her experience in a creative field. Another guy did a free website for a small business, which helped him land a new job. And that's a good tip: look for small businesses who might not be able to afford extensive marketing or other initiatives and think about how you could help them, with a short term project or a service. Then approach them and offer them your services. They might jump at it!
If you belong to a professional association there might be opportunities to help with events and conferences. That helps with experience and with networking – making new contacts.
Others have found new friends and new insights volunteering to help with children's activities and learning, at old age homes or with people who have special needs. Or you may be interested in nature, wildlife and the environment. There are lots of groups tackling those issues, and many of them are built and maintained by the work of volunteers.
For those who would like to spend some time making a contribution, try these websites which specialize in posting information about volunteering and volunteering opportunities.
I've also seen opportunities listed on Craigslist. If you have an interest in a particular agency or group, check its website where you will usually find a link about volunteering. Toronto Public Library has one.
What's the best reason for volunteering? Because it's a good thing to do? Because it helps people? Because it helps build my resume? Yes, true, but most people say it's because it makes them feel better about themselves. That's important.
3 thoughts on “Volunteer ? Why should I ?”
Well I am a newcomer but I have never been able to volunteer. why? because i have no references and nowhere are references from back home accepted as far as i know. i also keep looking for volunteering opportunities but everywhere at least two references are needed. YMCA requires three. I also wanted to volunteer for leading to reading program at the library but it needed a reference from someone who has known you for at least 4 months, which i think is hard to obtain for a newcomer (has been for me at least without any opportunity).
hello Swapan, I’m sorry to hear that you’ve been having trouble finding an opportunity. I imagine that if a newcomer attended a mosque, church or temple, the leader could be a personal reference after 6 months or a year. Or if someone got involved in his/her own community soon after arriving in Canada there would be opportunities to become involved in special events, committees or work groups?
Sometimes talking to people works better than just sending in an electronic form. I know a newcomer who spoke to someone, in person, at an agency about volunteering and was able to talk about his career and activities in his home country. On the strength of that he was able to get a volunteer opportunity with that agency, even though he didn’t have any Canadian experience.
Good luck.
I would recommend you stop by Volunteer Toronto offices during regular business hours. There are volunteer counselors to meet with potential volunteers who may be facing this or other barriers to giving back. Call 416-961-6888 or go to volunteertoronto.ca for more information. Volunteering really is for everyone – this is a barrier that can certainly be overcome.