Importance of Volunteering in Canada | 3 things you gain from volunteering

Table of Contents

Introduction

Volunteering can be all of the above and more. It is a widespread practice in Canadian society to gain new experiences while giving back to others.
Many volunteer opportunities, ranging from minor marketing initiatives to large-scale events like Pride and TIFF, are available during the summer.

Advantages of volunteering as a newcomer in Canada

Giving back to one’s community is deeply ingrained in Canadian society. Students in high school must perform volunteer hours as part of their graduation requirements. Non-profit organizations, political parties, religious organizations and youth clubs are venues where adults offer their time and expertise. Statistics Canada reports that 44% of Canadians 15 and older have participated in volunteer work.
Volunteering is the act of freely donating one’s time to benefit another individual, group, or organization. According to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), voluntary service is the time you devote to improving the well-being of others while also strengthening your community.
It is a commonplace in Canadian society for people to give back to the community. Voluntary work has several advantages, which we will discuss in this post. We will also present tools to help you locate volunteer jobs.

Three things you might gain from volunteering

Become more familiar with life in Canada

Volunteering in one’s field of employment can be a good option for newcomers seeking a job. Additionally, you might look for employment that needs you to use the talents relevant to your profession. You can fill in gaps in your work history while looking for work and obtain valuable Canadian experience by volunteering. When applying for a job, it can be helpful for companies you volunteered with to supply you with reference letters.
Volunteering is a great way to learn new skills and improve your English or French. Many people who participated in a Statistics Canada poll said their volunteer work had offered them the opportunity to learn new skills. For instance, based on the results of the survey,
A large majority (64 percent) of those surveyed said their interpersonal skills had improved, 44 percent said their communication skills had been enhanced, 39 percent said their organizing skills had been honed, 33 percent said their fundraising skills had been honed, and 27 percent said they had gained a better understanding of health, women’s or political issues, criminal justice, or other relevant topics.

Do not let yourself get depressed by doing something else

Giving back to the community can help you cultivate empathy, compassion, and valuable life experiences. As a newcomer to a new nation, feeling alone, homesick, and melancholy is easy because you are far from your friends and family back home. In order to keep your mind occupied, you should get involved in your local community.
Volunteering is also a great way to meet new people, learn about the area, and see the world. For many people, it is a way to relieve stress and find meaning in life.

Develop your personal and professional network

Volunteering is a great way to meet new people in Canada and expand your social circle. During the first few weeks or months after arriving in Canada, you may find yourself in unfamiliar territory. Cultural differences may prevent you from making an effort to interact with the locals. Volunteering is a great way to meet other people who share your interests, whether you are a newcomer or a long-time resident.
An untapped work market exists in Canada. When an employer does not advertise a position, it is called a “hidden job market.” 65-85% of jobs are not advertised online, according to some estimates. As a result, networking is critical, and volunteering is an excellent place to begin.

Advantages of Volunteering in Canada

Renew Your Sense of Well-Being

Volunteering is an excellent opportunity to broaden your horizons, learn about new cultures, and see the city in fresh ways. Get involved in something you have never done before or that appears a little beyond your comfort zone, and you may discover new things about yourself and the world around you.

Canada Is a Great Place to Get Work Experience

It is a myth that just because you are doing volunteer labour for free, it implies that your work is of a shoddy or amateurish kind. Some openings even demand that you attend training sessions where you may practise what you have learned. Volunteering is an excellent method to get your foot in the door, whether or not you currently have professional experience. You can learn new skills and apply them in a real-world setting.

Aim to Build Relationships with Others

There is a lot to be gained through volunteering. The vast majority of volunteer work requires you to participate in the community or collaborate with others. If you are new to Canada, it is a great way to meet people, improve social skills, and grow your network.

Expand Your Workplace Options

In addition to giving back to the community, volunteering allows you to learn more about a topic of interest or connect with the individuals working there. An excellent reference for your volunteer work can be obtained by asking the organization you worked with directly. Many employers prefer to hire people who have worked as volunteers.

Enjoying oneself and having a good time is all that matters

Volunteering, in its most basic form, is giving your time, energy, and expertise to help others in need. You may find happiness when you help others, improve their lives, and gain a fantastic sense of accomplishment while doing it without financial gain. Volunteering also positively impacts one’s mental health, as it can assist reduce symptoms of despair and boredom.

Get Better at Your Language

Volunteering is a good choice if you want to enhance your English. Consider what kind of talents you would like to gain before deciding on a volunteer position. Volunteering for a campus newspaper is a great way to enhance your writing skills. If being able to communicate in English is more important to you right now, consider finding volunteer work that requires you to speak with others daily.

Improve Your Health

According to new research, people who regularly volunteer are likely to live longer than those who do not. Another study has found that volunteering can help alleviate stress in many people. Volunteering has a significant impact on both our mental and physical well-being.

Improve Your Ability to Manage Your Time

Volunteering is usually not a full-time job. While juggling school, employment, home life, and charity work might be difficult, it is an excellent method to hone your time management abilities.

How to volunteer in Canada?

Leadership

Organize and lead a meeting for strategic planning.
Set up an effort to raise money
Assisting in the establishment of a tenants’ rights organization

Technology and Social Media

Create a website for a co-op that provides elder care.
Initiate a housing blog.
Make a food bank’s donor database your own.
Teach computer literacy in a neighbourhood centre

Management and Administration

Consult the employee handbook.
Create a volunteer roster for an event.
Fill out a form at a service centre.
Be a general office assistant.

Building and handicrafts

Create a reading nook by constructing a bookcase.
Sew play costumes
In a rehabilitation centre, teach card-making.
Build a stage for the marathon closing celebrations.

Entertainment

Involve yourself in a retirement home singalong by playing the piano.
emceeing a ceremony honouring outstanding volunteerism
Attempt a stand-up comedy routine for a charity event.
Consider joining a choir that performs at community functions.

Direct service

Take calls for a crisis hotline
Donate your time to help feed the hungry.
The coach of a group of people
Make sure individuals get to their appointments on time

Volunteering in Canada: Where to Look for Opportunities
?

In order to find a volunteer opportunity that matches your skills and interests, you may need to do some digging.

There are a few things you can do to get started:

Suppose you are interested in a specific cause or group, research to see if there are volunteer opportunities available in that area. If you want to land your dream job, consider applying to employment that uses the talents you need in your ideal role. Another strategy to uncover volunteer opportunities is to keep an eye out for volunteer requests in your immediate area.
Please send an email, get in touch with them via their website, or connect with them on LinkedIn to find out more about their requirements. Consider how you might be able to help others in your community.

There are a few websites in Canada where you can search for volunteer opportunities

Most local and significant city websites will also list volunteer opportunities.
It is a commonplace in Canadian society for people to give back to the community. Newcomers should consider volunteering as a method to integrate into the community, learn about the local culture, and boost their prospects of finding paid work. In addition to boosting your career, volunteering can be a stepping stone to achieving your goals.

In Canada, volunteer as a student from another country

Many students in Canada participate in charitable, non-profit, or community organizations while they are in school. For many international students in Canada, volunteering is a meaningful opportunity to give back to their home country while gaining valuable work experience and contacts for their future professional lives.
Volunteering in Canada as an international student is a great way to gain work experience, make new friends, and improve your language abilities. Volunteer professions, such as management-type roles, can need more advanced skills and responsibilities than are typically accessible in paid employment. Non-profit organizations value your time and effort, so they are more likely to be accommodating and attentive to your work and school schedules.
For international students in Canada, taking their volunteer work seriously as if it were a paid position involves giving adequate notice when you have to skip or postpone a shift or take time off for vacation.
Volunteering does not typically necessitate possessing a Social Security number (SIN). Even if you are only going to volunteer while you are in school, getting a SIN is a good idea, so you will be prepared for any paid work that comes your way.
Unpaid volunteer labour does not count toward eligible overseas students’ maximum weekly work hours in Canada. However, it is critical to avoid overcommitting and remember that school comes first, even if you want to work or volunteer.

Obtaining a position of volunteerism

If you are trying to get involved with a cause you believe in, start by looking for local clubs or charities that do the same. Many charities and non-profits, both large and small, have student chapters on or near their campuses. Many colleges and universities have groups that assist the local community, such as newcomers to Canada, hospitals, or religious congregations in the area.
First-time volunteers may feel overwhelmed by the number of opportunities available. Consider your unique skills and career aspirations to help you narrow down your search and land a job that is a good fit for you. Check out a charity’s website to improve your web design abilities. See if you can get involved in arranging charity events if event management is your thing.
Try fundraising if you want to gain expertise in sales or networking. Consider tutoring or leading workshops at your local library if you are passionate about education and teaching. Ask whether volunteer possibilities exist at a non-profit organization you consider working for. Volunteering could put you ahead of the competition for a paid position if and when one becomes available.

FAQs

Why is volunteering important for social work?

Volunteering in the social work sector is one of the best methods to get real-world experience. Current social workers can enhance their skills and knowledge by participating in this programme, open to all aspiring master’s level social workers.

Why is it important to volunteer in Canada?

Donations and volunteer work directly impact people’s lives and the economy by funding research and improving the prospects of the people who receive them in the areas of education, health, and employment. Volunteerism is widespread among Canadians for many reasons, including personal growth and the desire to impact their communities positively.

What is voluntary social work?

For example, suppose a volunteer works for a non-profit organization. In that case, he or she may be engaged in “voluntary social work” when he or she gives of his or her time and resources without compensation for the benefit of others.

What is voluntary action in social work?

The word “voluntary action” refers to actions conducted by individuals on their initiative in pursuit of a common aim or goal set. As defined by Lord Beveridge, that which is not compelled or regulated by the state is known as voluntary action. He refers to it as a for-profit venture dedicated to social good.