Pay It Forward: Volunteering
One of the best ways to Pay It Forward is by volunteering, especially if you have moved past the Learning and Earning phases of life and are now in the Returning phase.
Volunteering is about giving back, and it comes with meaningful benefits. It provides a sense of purpose, helps combat boredom and loneliness, reduces stress, and boosts brain health, which may help stave off dementia. It is truly a win-win for everyone involved.
Hope For You offers a number of ways you can Pay It Forward as a volunteer.
Tax Preparation
In partnership with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), we have just completed another free tax preparation season. This year, 165 tax returns were filed. This number could have been much higher if we had more volunteers.
The demand is high because of the concentration of low-income individuals and families in the Jane-Finch area.
Requirement:
Volunteers are needed from February to April. Tax preparation is completed using software provided by the CRA. Hours and days are flexible.
The Gran Reading Program
The Gran Reading Program involves seniors, often grandparents — hence the name “Gran” — reading to elementary students. The goal is to foster literacy, cultivate a love for reading, and promote success in school and in life.
Requirement:
Volunteers must complete a police check and attend an orientation session with the school librarian. The commitment is once per week for at least one hour.
Laughter Yoga Leader
Since laughter is the best medicine, H4U has applied for funding to provide weekly laughter yoga sessions in two nursing homes in the community.
Requirement:
Training will be provided. Volunteers will offer sessions of up to 30 minutes in teams of two at local nursing homes.
Robotics
This program fosters children’s interest in STEM — Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics — to support academic success and open doors to future career opportunities.
Requirement:
Volunteers will partner with FIRST Robotics to offer 10-week sessions on a weekday.
Administrative Help
Volunteers can provide office, bookkeeping, and administrative support to help with the daily operations of Hope For You.
Requirement:
Flexible hours are available.
First Tee Instructor
First Tee introduces children to the game of golf while teaching important values such as honesty, perseverance, self-confidence, integrity, and respect.
Requirement:
Volunteers must complete the online course offered by First Tee – Ontario. During the school year, volunteers will offer the program biweekly for children ages 6–12. Sessions are held on Saturday mornings for two hours.
