Volunteer Success Program

(YRES is a proud recipient of Canada's Volunteer Award, dedicated to leading community volunteerism)

York Region Educational Services (YRES) is a federally registered not-for-profit charitable organization. Volunteer hours at YRES can be counted toward the Secondary School Diploma requirement.

How Does It Work?

Steps to our Volunteer Program

Step 1
Sign Up
Step 2
Meet your Youth Advisor

Access to Slack communication channel and Skill Development Plan (SDP)

Step 3
Training

Attend in-person and/or virtual training and orientation including general and role-specific training

Step 4
Inform your Youth Advisor

Inform youth advisor upon training completion

Step 5
Volunteer

Get matched with a Placement Supervisor and complete your volunteering hours.

Attend networking opportunities, volunteer fairs and conferences along the way!

Step 6
Youth Advisor Follow-Up

Meet with your youth advisor to discuss your Skill Development Plan Completion and more opportunities

Join Us Today!

Get Free Perks

Free Access to Volunteer Conferences and Fairs

You are invited to the annual volunteer conferences and fairs, organized by YRES

Free 1:1 Training Programs

Youth Advisors provide you with access to resources such as free books, training materials and 1:1 coaching

Free Networking Opportunities

Monthly free networking events allow you to enjoy a free lunch while making new friends

Free Personalized Skill Development Plans (SDPs)

SDPs will allow you to improve skills for future careers. 45% YRES Summer Staff were YRES Volunteers!

What's in it For You?

Build Skills In...

Leadership
Take on roles to further your ability to lead and provide guidance!
Communication
Work on your public speaking skills as you work alongside professionals!
Teamwork
Involve yourself in initiatives to boost your community alongside a vast team!

Are You Interested? Join Us!

Ready For Placement

Work A Role That Suits You!

Volunteer For The Community

Our Impact

Are You Eligible?

Location

Greater Vancouver in British Columbia

Ottawa and Greater Toronto in Ontario

Alberta

Age

Anyone 12+

Costs

This Program is FREE!

Opportunities

Flexible Volunteer Placements

In-Person or Virtual

Testimonials

Volunteeer Testimonials

Staff Testimonials

Call To Action From Community Leaders

Community Partners

FAQ

Click the “Apply Now” button, complete the intake form, and a youth advisor will help match you with a placement.

No, the program is open to all youth regardless of experience.

Opportunities include event assistance, photography, museum/library support, tech support, sustainability initiatives, customer service, and more.

Yes! Some opportunities are available remotely across Canada.

Yes! Volunteers get mentorship, workshops, and skill development plans (SDPs) tailored to their growth.

A certificate upon completion

Networking opportunities with professionals and organizations

Transferable skills like communication, leadership, and problem-solving

Yes! We host monthly networking events (more details coming soon) and an annual Youth Conference & Volunteer Fair.

You can contact us via phone, email, or follow us on social media for updates.

You must be 12 years-old or older to join our virtual volunteer program; 14 or older for our in-person opportunities. You must reside in Canada for the duration of your volunteer period. You must have access to a computer and the internet. You must be passionate about education. You must be enthusiastic and ready to learn. You must be able to commit to a minimum of 10 hours per month in the virtual volunteer program. For in-person recurring events, you must not fail to show up without prior notice more than once; otherwise, your registration will be withdrawn.
 
When your volunteer period has ended, send us the record form from your school or school guidance to have it signed off via volunteer@yorkeducation.ca. Please fill in as many blanks as you can before sending it across.
 
No, they are two different programs. If you are only interested in in-person opportunities, you just need to fill out the corresponding YRES In-Person Volunteer Opportunity form. If you are only interested in volunteering virtually, then you need to fill out the YRES Virtual Volunteer Program form. If you are interested in both, feel free to register for both. Please pay attention to the description listed at the top of the volunteer registration forms to know which one to fill out.
 
No, there is a volunteer selection process that takes place after the response window closes. We take your availability into consideration and send a confirmation email to selected volunteers closer to the date of the event.
 
Yes, you are welcome to join our volunteering opportunities so long as you are currently residing in Canada for the duration of your volunteer commitment.

Only community activity hours at YRES or other non-for-profit organizations can be counted to the OSSD requirement*

At YRES, any training, meetings, lessons and activities you participate in will count towards your hours!

*OSSD volunteer hour eligibility may differ

You can reach us in the following ways:

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