Volunteer Groups

Are you looking for a way your group can serve the community?  Groups are most welcomed and encouraged to volunteer with YSM. Opportunities could include volunteering with a community program, a Special Volunteer Day or a community engagement opportunity.

For group inquiries, please contact Wendy Robbins at wrobbins@ysm.ca or call 416-929-9614, ext. 4278. Contact Wendy for more details and to discuss possible dates.

To ensure the best experience for group members, the maximum group size is generally limited to 10 participants with some exceptions. If your group consists of more than 10 people, you can consider dividing into smaller groups to volunteer with different programs. Phone Wendy to ask about occasions when more than 10 volunteers are needed. Note that our group application process is not the same as for individual applicants, so please wait until you connect with Wendy before moving ahead. Thank you!

Special Volunteer Days
Some groups prefer to have a Special Volunteer Day – a day filled with one or varied opportunities.

A Special Volunteer Day could include things like helping restock food supplies and serving community members in the food bank or with a community program, sorting clothing in our Double Take store, helping to keep our buildings clean and inviting by painting or cleaning a room, or assisting with special events and projects such as the Annual Clothing Drive, Christmas Market, Annual Book Fair or the Cabbagetown Festival. On a Special Volunteer Day groups may be divided so members can serve in different capacities throughout YSM.

To book a Special Volunteer Day:

1. Contact Wendy Robbins at wrobbins@ysm.ca with a short list of dates and times your group is available (in order of preference) and the number of volunteers you hope to bring. If the group is composed of youth, we will also need to know the range of ages and how many adult supervisors will be present. Please contact us at least four weeks before the date you hope to volunteer, as we must coordinate with staff to ensure the best possible day for your group.
2. Wendy will take care of all the logistics and send you a proposed itinerary, along with the group volunteer application package.
3. Once you and Wendy have confirmed the itinerary, please return the Group Application and Agreement of Respect by email or fax prior to the volunteer date.
4. Have a rewarding and fun experience!

Community Programs
Many volunteer groups choose to help prepare and serve hot, nutritious meals within one of our regular programs that serve people living with poverty in the Regent Park, lower St. James Town and Moss Park areas.

Volunteers help to set up the dining room, prepare and serve the meal, chat and eat dinner with our guests, clean up the dining room and kitchen, and assist with after-meal activities such as games, computer activities, crafts. Groups are also welcome to financially sponsor the meals, which cost $3.11 per person.

Youth Drop-In–Fridays, 6:30-10:00 p.m.
The Youth Drop-In is a community-building and meal program that serves youth ages 12 to 18. On a typical Friday night, about 75 youth come to enjoy a nutritious meal, sports or other fun activities. From 4 to 10 volunteers are needed for this program. Volunteers must be 14+ years of age.

Lively Seniors Program–Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:00-2 p.m.
Our Lively Seniors program serves socially isolated senior community members who live in single rooms or subsidized housing. On Tuesdays, 4 to 8 volunteers are required. On Thursdays we can use a maximum of five volunteers. Thursday’s program includes an interdenominational Christian component. Volunteers must be 14+ years of age.

Agape Community Meal–Tuesdays between 4:00 and 7:30 p.m.
4 to 10 volunteers are needed to help serve Agape Community meals for those who are learning about their faith. These evenings provide an opportunity to explore the meaning of life and spirituality in a relaxed, friendly setting.

Children’s Breakfast Club–Saturdays between 9:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
The Children’s Breakfast Club is a Saturday morning meal program that serves about 40 to 50 children ages 7 to 12. 4 to 10 volunteers are needed to help with serving of meals and organizing fun activities. Volunteers must be 14+ years of age.

Evergreen Lunch/Evening Program–Various Dates
We need from 3 to 6 volunteers to help serve lunch or dinner to street-involved youth in downtown Toronto. To inquire about availability or to book a date, please contact Vladmir Nuk, Evergreen Food Services Coordinator, at vnuk@ysm.ca or 416-929-9614 ext. 2236. All volunteers must be 19 years of age or older.

New Hope Fellowship–Thursdays 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.
This is a unique opportunity for you to have a meaningful experience by spending time with our community members, actively listening to their stories and offering them words of encouragement, love and motivation. Approximately 100 people attend this dinner each week. All members of your group must be over 18.

To Book a Community Program:

1. Contact Wendy Robbins at wrobbins@ysm.ca. Let her know which community program your group would like to help with and the number of volunteers you hope to bring. If the group is composed of youth, we also need to know their age range and how many adult supervisors will be present.
2. Wendy will communicate with you regarding available dates.
3. Wendy will send you the group application package. Kindly return the application and Agreement of Respect via email or fax prior to the volunteer date.
4. Have an enjoyable and meaningful experience!

Thank you Volunteer Groups!