Volunteer Success Program

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

Sign Up Now
Program Information
Join as Service Provider
FAQ | Learn More
Become a Sponsor
Cropped Homepage Banners - CSC Project
Cropped Homepage Banners - CSC Project (2)

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.

Sign Up
Work meaningful volunteer placements to address social issues.
Sign Up Now
FAQ
Learn more about the Youth Volunteer Success Program.
FAQ | Learn More
Program Information
We provide mentorship, training and workshops to prepare youth and connect them to service placements across Canada to address social isolation, inequality, and unemployment.
Program Information

How Does It Work?

Steps to our Volunteer Program

Step 1
Sign Up

Apply Here

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!

Sign Up Now

Unleash your inner artist for the chance to win a $50 Tim Horton's gift card! Enter our Volunteer Comic Strip Contest Today!

Start Your Comic Strip Today!
Submit Your Comic Strip Here

Networking and Orientation Opportunities!

This event is open to all! Make valuable connections to expand your professional network, and unlock new opportunities.

Fun games • Free prizes and giveaways • Complimentary food and snacks (in person) • Invite up to 3 friends!

In-person Networking Events

April 10 & April 24
Thursdays from 4-5 PM

605-3100 Steeles Ave East, Markham

Virtual Networking Events

April 3 & April 17
Thursdays from 4-5 PM

On Zoom

RSVP Here

*RSVP is required

Get Free Perks

Free Networking Opportunities

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


Upcoming Networking Event in April:

See Details

Free 1:1 Training Programs

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

Free Access to Volunteer Conferences and Fairs

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

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!

Upcoming
Opportunities

Networking Events
We have great events to connect with others at YRES and beyond and further your career!
See Details
Annual Youth Conference & Volunteer Fair
Connect and network with various companies across the GTA looking for your support!
Learn More
Workshops
YRES hosts various personal development workshops on top of the mentorship provided by this program!
Learn More

Are You Interested? Join Us!

Sign Up Now

Ready For Placement

Work A Role That Suits You!

Volunteer For The Community

Our Impact

1000 +

Communities Served

385,000 +

Volunteering Hours

200 +

Community Partners

3000 +

Youth Served

Nationwide

Volunteering Work

50 +

Networking Opportunities

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

Sign Up Now!

Testimonials

Volunteeer Testimonials

Staff Testimonials

Testimonials from our Community Leaders

Isa Lee - Councillor at City of Markham

Letters of Endorsement from Community Leaders

Regional Councillor of Markham: Joe Li

“I am delighted to share that YRES has been recognized with Canada’s Volunteer Awards and is the only non-profit organization from Ontario to receive this prestigious honor.”

 

Read Markham Councillor Li's Letter

Vancouver Mayor: Ken Sim

“(YRES’s) Volunteer Success Program is already making a meaningful impact by connecting youth aged 12 to 30 with volunteer opportunities and mentorship across Canada.”

Read Vancouver Mayor Sim's Letter

Oshawa Mayor: Dan Carter

“The important work (YRES does) provides over 500 educational programs free of charge for youth and learners of all ages in your region.

 

Read Oshawa Mayor Carter's Letter

Mayor of East Gwillimbury: Virginia Hackson

“On behalf of Council, I extend congratulations to York Region Educational Services on receiving the Canada Volunteer Award in recognition of their Youth Volunteer Success Program” ​

 

Read Mayor Hackson's Letter

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 (Click here for details) and an annual Youth Conference & Volunteer Fair.

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.
 
At YRES, any training, meetings, lessons and activities you participate in will count towards your hours!
Only community activity hours at YRES or other non-for-profit organizations can be counted to the OSSD requirement*
*OSSD activity hours eligibility may differ
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, you don’t. You have the option of signing up for in-person, virtual, or hybrid, in the sign up form.
 
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:

Contact Us

Email Us

volunteer@yorkeducation.ca
Call Us

(416) 475-6622

Get the Latest YRES News to Your Inbox

Subscribe to get updates on our new camps, programs and events!

Subscribe