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Work hard to get the best grades you can. Work harder to make those grades the least interesting thing about you.
Every student who begins secondary school in Ontario is required to complete a minimum 40 hours of community involvement in order to receive a diploma. The purpose of this requirement is to encourage students to develop an understanding of the various roles they can play in their community and to help them develop a greater sense of belonging within their community.
DSBN Community Involvement Manual
Places you can volunteer
Places you can volunteer
Community involvement activities may take place in a variety of settings such as:
local businesses
hospitals, long-term care, retirement homes and other health care institutions
not-for-profit organizations
public sector institutions, like your town, city or region
offices of local, provincial or federal government representatives
First Nation, Métis and Inuit communities or organizations
religious, cultural events and community activities
Check with your school board to see which volunteer settings are eligible.
Hour Republic Registration and How To's
Hour Republic Registration and How To's
Steps on How to Register for Hour Republic
How To Add Hours in Hour Republic
Community Involvement Slideshow Presentation
2026 ALS Canada Walk to End ALS
2026 ALS Canada Walk to End ALS
During the month of June, find an in-person Walk location near you across Ontario, or participate in a virtual Walk whenever, wherever you choose. Take part in the ALS Canada Walk to End ALS, whichever way suits you!
The ALS Canada Walk to End ALS is a community-driven event for people living with or affected by ALS as well as those who want to help create a world free of ALS.
The walk in the Niagara region is June 6, and they need your help!
Click the link to volunteer: Volunteer Registration Form and send to Volunteer@als.ca
🎶 Volunteer With Us This Summer! ☀️
Concerts on the Canal is back, and we’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help bring live music and great vibes to our community! Concerts on the Canal — a free, family-friendly outdoor music series set against the beautiful backdrop of the canal at the Merritt Park Amphitheatre. The series returns for 2026 with six evenings of live music showcasing a mix of local and regional talent from June through September. The events continue to offer beautiful canal views, a lively open-air atmosphere, and something for all ages. Be part of an exciting summer filled with unforgettable performances, community connection, and behind-the-scenes fun.
📍 Location: Merritt Park Amphitheatre
📅 Concert Dates:
June 5 • July 1 • July 17 • July 31 • August 21 • September 4
Shift Times:
5:30pm - 10:30pm
🙌 Sign up to volunteer: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/coc2026
Crime Stoppers of Niagara - Summer Volunteer Opportunities
Crime Stoppers of Niagara - Summer Volunteer Opportunities
Throughout the summer, student volunteers will have the opportunity to assist Crime Stoppers of Niagara at community events, including the Niagara River Lions basketball games and Welland Jackfish baseball games. These opportunities allow students to gain valuable volunteer hours while developing communication, teamwork, leadership, and community engagement skills. Volunteers may assist with: Community outreach and engagement Event set-up and take-down Distributing promotional materials Assisting with fundraising initiatives Supporting Crime Stoppers awareness efforts within the community If students or parents would like additional information, please feel free to contact us.
Throughout the summer, student volunteers will have the opportunity to assist Crime Stoppers of Niagara at community events, including the Niagara River Lions basketball games and Welland Jackfish baseball games. These opportunities allow students to gain valuable volunteer hours while developing communication, teamwork, leadership, and community engagement skills. Volunteers may assist with: Community outreach and engagement Event set-up and take-down Distributing promotional materials Assisting with fundraising initiatives Supporting Crime Stoppers awareness efforts within the community If students or parents would like additional information, please feel free to contact us.
Thank you for your continued support of student involvement and community engagement opportunities.
Thank you for your continued support of student involvement and community engagement opportunities.
Walk For Alzheimer's
Walk For Alzheimer's
Volunteer opportunity with our annual Walk for Alzheimer's happening May 31st. We need all the volunteers we can get! It is a great opportunity for students to get 7 hours of community service hours in one day located at Brock University.
For more information contact:
Celine Crete (she/her)
Alzheimer Society of Niagara Region
Coordinator of Volunteer Programs
I am pleased to share information about a new volunteer program offered through Brock University’s Sports and Recreation Department. This opportunity is designed for high school students who would like to gain experience while supporting our community recreation programs.
Volunteers can assist in a variety of areas including sports, youth programs, aquatics, STEM activities and other recreation programming. These roles involve supporting scheduled lessons that run throughout the year. Students should feel comfortable working with children from different age groups. Hours completed through this volunteer position may count toward high school community involvement requirements.
If you have questions, feel free to reach out to recservices@brocku.ca.
Current Volunteer Opportunities
Canadian Red Cross Digital Volunteers (ongoing)
Smiles for Seniors - Writing Letters to Make a Seniors Day (ongoing)
St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canal Centre
St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canal Centre
The St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canal Centre is looking for volunteer tour guides and volunteers to assist with the museum collection. Please contact us if you'd like to join our volunteer team. Download Museum Volunteer Application
The St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canal Centre is looking for volunteer tour guides and volunteers to assist with the museum collection. Please contact us if you'd like to join our volunteer team. Download Museum Volunteer Application
St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre
St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre
We are always looking for enthusiastic and responsible volunteers who would like experience developing communication and instructing skills. Please complete the Aquatics Volunteer Application and an Aquatics Coordinator will reach out with more information.
As a volunteer, you'll get to help during our Lifesaving Society Swim for Life program. To qualify as a volunteer, you must be:
13 years of age with current Bronze Medallion certification
18 years of age with a Criminal Reference Check.
FIRST Robotics Competition is looking for student volunteers of various abilities to be Field Resetters, Queuers, Attendants and to fulfill various other roles. You will be fed breakfast, lunch and dinner over the course of the day..
In addition, the Niagara Region will be hosting several other competitions in Niagara Falls and St. Catharines in the upcoming months, all looking for volunteers! Information for those events are included on the linktree on the attached poster.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email: ncfirstroboticsvolunteers@gmail.com or volunteers@firstroboticscanada.org
You give hope. You get purpose. Change their story and your own. Our volunteers contribute to an exceptional donor experience for blood and plasma donors so patients across Canada get the blood products they need.
What you’ll be doing:
Volunteering in a Canadian Blood Services donor centre is about connecting with donors. Your duties will include greeting donors with a warm smile, engaging in friendly conversations, and offering refreshments to create a comfortable and positive experience.
Volunteers Requirements:
- 16 years of age or older
- reliable
- social and comfortable talking to anyone
Volunteer Location and Commitment:
420 Vansickle Rd Unit E-05, St. Catharines
- Monday-Friday daytime or evening availability
- 6-12 hours/month
- minimum 4 month commitment
Volunteer with us and experience what you get when you give.
Contact: Lindsey.Rounds@blood.ca
Apply directly: https://bttr.im/ub8pn
Teen Reviewer for the Public Library
Teen Reviewer for the Public Library
Attention St. Catharines high school students! You can become a Teen Reviewer for the library and earn volunteer hours by reviewing books, movies, video games and music! Earn volunteer hours toward your Secondary School diploma. Earn two volunteer hours per review, up to 20 hours total.
Register to become a teen volunteer here.
Review books, movies, eBooks, digital audiobooks, graphic novels, music, and/or video games that are owned by the St. Catharines Public Library.
Complete and submit reviews from the comfort of your home at a time that best suits your schedule.
Eligibility
Ages 14-18
Resident of St. Catharines and library member
Interested in reading/ watching/ playing/ listening to items from the library
Demonstrates strong writing skills (include grammar, punctuation, structure, spelling, tone, proofreading, clarity, and organization)
Volunteer Responsibilities
Write a meaningful and concise review consisting of 200-250 words.
Reviews must use inclusive and respectful language.
Reviews must adhere to SCPL values.
Each volunteer is responsible for ensuring that any paperwork regarding their volunteer hours is completed and submitted to their school.
Volunteer hours will not be given if:
The student failed to receive approval for item(s) they would like to review.
The review contains offensive language.
The review has significant errors in spelling/grammar.
The review is not an original piece of work.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Programming and Promotions department at teenvolunteers@myscpl.ca.
Please contact Carrie McComb if you are interested in volunteering for the Salvation Army: carrie.mccomb@salvationarmy.ca
Volunteer Link
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES with Grantham Optimist
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES with Grantham Optimist
Fill in the Volunteer form from the website:
https://granthamoptimist.org/youth-%26-student-volunteer
Why Volunteer
Why Volunteer
Learn a new skill and meet new people;
Support local conservation projects;
Get outdoors and enjoy some physical activity;
Share your knowledge and skills with others;
Earn community service hours for your high school diploma;
Gain job experience and training.
WILD OUTSIDE
WILD OUTSIDE
Participation in the program contributes service hours towards student’s 40 hours of community service mandated for Ontario secondary schools so why not have fun while whilst doing it?
WILD Outside website: Canadian Wildlife Federation: WILD Outside (cwf-fcf.org)
What is WILD Outside?
WILD Outside is a year-round national conservation-based adult volunteer led, youth leadership program designed to mentor youth ages 15 to 18 in local environmental and conservation activities.
The Wild Outside program is for youths willing to participate in a minimum of 2 events per month designed to get youth out and active in the environment doing conservation or community service-related activities such as going on hikes, bird watching, gardening, canoe trips, helping maintain hiking paths, ice fishing, cross country skiing, listening to guest speakers, learning about career paths in conservation and literally hundreds of others with the CWF covering all associated costs.
Who is Eligible to Join?
Currently we are looking for youths in your area as we already have an established team in St. Catharines.
Youths 15-18 with a strong love of the outdoors and a willingness to work with as part of a team.
If you are interested in this opportunity, email: Pauld@cwf-fcf.org
Community Crew Volunteers can help to prep and pack the lunches, write notes of encouragement to the children, help out at events, advocate and so much more. Click the title link on the right, to get to the volunteer website page.
NEW this year! Check the Bulldog Bulletin for more information related specifically to how to input additional hours that can't be entered in Hour Republic.
Community Invovement Guidelines - When can one volunteer at/for a “business”?
The recent inclusion of the term “business” in the Ontario Ministry of Education’s community involvement guidelines marks a shift from the traditional view that volunteering only happens at charities or non-profit organizations.
The intent isn’t to provide businesses with free labour, but rather to recognize that “community benefit” can happen in many different settings.
When trying to gauge if an activity is eligible for community involvement hours one needs to focus on the nature of the activity. If a student helps a local business run a free community event (like a neighbourhood festival or a free workshop or a fundraiser with proceeds going to a charitable organization), that is seen as a civic contribution.
Local examples of businesses running events for which students can achieve community involvement hours = Rankin Construction supporting the Rankin Cancer Run; Verge Insurance charity bbqs supporting Hospice Niagara, Red Roof Retreat, United Way; Sullivan Mahoney LLP supporting various non-profit organizations and fundraising activities.
A student cannot perform tasks that would normally be done by a paid employee.
e.g. Volunteer Coaching for an XXX team.
If the XXX team is a for-profit business (e.g. a private athletics club) coaching is flagged as ineligible because it supports a commercial enterprise’s core service. If it is for a not-for-profit or community-based club, coaching is an eligible activity.
YES if it is a free community program or a subsidized youth outreach program run by a business as a service to the community and your role as an assistant coach is purely supportive and non-paid.
NO if it is a for-profit club or organization where parents pay for coaching/instruction. In this scenario, your role is seen as displacing a paid employee (a paid coach or assistant), which violates Ministry guidelines.
If in doubt, ask a Guidance teacher first.
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