Builds skills and brighten days
We are fortunate to have a diverse group of volunteers, including college and university students, family members and friends, who play an active and important role at Shepherd Village. We are always looking for caring and compassionate people who are eager to make a difference.
Whether you are looking for a general role or wish to assist trained staff in a specific area, we can help customize your experience so it meets your needs while having a positive impact for residents. Volunteers help with resident care, recreation, technology, spiritual life and administration. We also offer post-secondary and high school co-ops and a leadership program for grade 11 and 12 students.
Urgently needed
We have a wide variety of volunteer roles but the ones we need most urgently are:
- Spiritual Care Assistant: 2 hours/week – You will spend quality time with residents to read the bible, talk about your spiritual journey and participate in hymn sings.
- Meal Time Assistant: 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. OR 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. OR 4:45 to 6:00 p.m. – You will be assisting nursing staff by helping residents to eat their meals.
- Friendly Visitor: 1 hour/week – You will be visiting a Lodge resident on a weekly basis and developing a respectful and caring relationship. An understanding of or experience with dementia is a benefit, but not required.
- Receptionist: Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. and from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. – This is a wonderful position for you to interact with a variety of residents and community members. You must be able to multi-task.
Steps to volunteer
- All volunteers must be able to fulfill a minimum of 2 hours per week for 6 months of volunteer service
- Complete the online application form
- Complete a Mantoux TB test
- Complete a vulnerable sector check
- Complete a telephone interview
- Attend an orientation
- Complete online and role-specific trainings
- Sign a Memo of Understanding
Contact us
Volunteer Cordinator
416.609.5700 ext. 275
volunteer@shepherdvillage.org
Students placements
Co-op placements
For students, getting hands-on work experience is critical to their future. At Shepherd Village, we offer high school, college and university students a professional and respectful learning environment. We host students from high school and from post-secondary programs such as gerontology, nursing, recreation, seminary, project management and more. Our students learn new skills, build their networks and gain real world experience, all of which is vital for their resumes and to kick start their careers.
L.E.A.D. program
Leadership, Empowerment, Achievement, Determination or L.E.AD. is a strengths-based program for students in grades 11 and 12 that helps them gain valuable tools to successfully transition to college or university. Students learn about resume writing and scholarship and career opportunities and they build lifelong skills of self-exploration, self-management, self-worth, self-confidence, working well with others and community engagement.
Volunteer positions
See our latest Volunteer opportunities at a glance pamphlet to learn more about our volunteer positions.