For the Record: Volunteer Canada’s Views on the Canada Student Service Grant Program

Volunteer Canada recognizes the support that has been provided to Canadians and the good intentions to support students, who are experiencing financial distress, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. After the Government of Canada’s announcement of the Canada Student Service Grant program, we convened our regular calls with stakeholders in the non-profit and charitable sector to discuss the volunteering landscape within the context of the pandemic and were able to gather insights and questions about the program. At the end of April, we shared the following issues with the office of the Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth, in […]

Continue Reading

8 Things Non-Profits Want You to Know About Volunteering During COVID-19

For all of its challenges, COVID-19 has brought out the best in Canadians. From coast to coast to coast, media is filled with inspiring stories of people who are compassionately supporting their circles of family, friends, and neighbours with check-in calls, grocery deliveries, virtual visits, and sewing face masks. Many have been volunteering through non-profit organizations to provide essential services to vulnerable people. How can we sustain this level of care for the long-haul, as the different stages of the pandemic response unfold? If you are looking to volunteer with a non-profit organization, you may be wondering what to expect. Maybe you […]

Continue Reading

How can equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives address social injustice and systemic racism?

The horrific death of George Floyd on May 25th, and the thousands of others that came before him, has ignited the organic global movement to address systemic racism and social injustice. At Volunteer Canada, we are exploring ways to better equip ourselves to take action that is respectful, meaningful, and impactful. We know it begins with listening. We also know that standing up, standing with, and standing for something doesn’t mean much until we can also take action. Many organizations in the non-profit and charitable sector have organizational values such as inclusion, diversity, and equity. What do these words actually mean in […]

Continue Reading