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Volunteer

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On an average day, Good Shepherd serves over 1,000 vulnerable men, women and children in our community. Every year, more than 5,000 volunteers assist in the operations of Good Shepherd programs and services.

Special Event Volunteers

For all future events, volunteers are required to fill out a Special Events Application (download below) to be placed in a confidential volunteer file. Only volunteers with an application will be contacted for special events going forward. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Melisa at mfox@gsch.ca or 905-528-6565 x. 3333.

Ready to volunteer?

If you are interested in volunteering, email volunteer@gsch.ca or call 905.528.6565 x3333 

Download these forms to get started on your application!

Benefits of Volunteering:

  • Gain valuable job-related skills
  • Personal satisfaction
  • Complete school or job requirements
  • Spend valuable time with family or friends while helping others
  • Team building for organizations and companies
  • Give back to the community
  • Fill your retirement years
  • Share your skills with others

Good Shepherd extends heartfelt thanks to the hundreds of volunteers who give so selflessly of their time and talent and encourage you to join our team!

Volunteer Opportunities

Some of our volunteer opportunities are unavailable due to COVID-19 safety protocols. If you have any questions about volunteer opportunities, please contact Maggie Pagotto at MPagotto@gsch.ca or 905-528-6565 Ext. 3321 or Melisa Fox at MFox@gsch.ca or 905-528-6565Ext. 3333

Child Minding

Women’s Services (Monday-Sunday)
Jeanne Scott Parent & Child Resource Centre (September – June, Monday-Friday)
Regina’s Place (September – June)
Family Centre (Monday-Friday)

Interact, play, read and look after babies and children of all ages.

Homework Helpers

Women’s Services (Monday-Friday)
Family Centre (Monday-Friday)

Homework helpers to assist school age children and high school students with homework and projects (after school hours and evenings)

Interact, play, read and look after babies and children of all ages.

Wellness Programming

Women’s Services (Monday-Friday)

Lead classes/sessions of yoga, Pilates, Zumba, fitness and arts and crafts.

Experienced massage and reiki therapists are welcome

Cooking, Baking & Food Prep

Various cooking and baking help is needed at a variety of Centres

  • Prepare comfort foods and soups at Emmanuel House (lunch and dinner)
  • Prep cooking at Martha House (breakfast, lunch and dinner and special occasions meals)
  • Cooking and baking for families at the Family Centre
  • Preparing snacks and lunches at the SAM program (for seniors)
  • Food prep at The Good Shepherd Centre (Men’s Shelter), (weekdays 9:30 am-noon and 1:30-4:45 pm)

Reception

Women’s Services (Monday-Friday)
Emmanuel House (Monday-Sunday, day & evening available)
Family Centre (Monday-Sunday)
Development Office (Monday-Friday & seeking those with on-call flexibility)

Answering phones, directing and screening visitors, assisting with some administrative work.

Serving Meals

Youth Services (Monday- Sunday, 11:00 am-1:00 pm or 3:30-5:30 pm)

Serve lunch or dinner and interact with youth.

Friendly Visiting

Emmanuel House
Barrett Centre

Visiting and interacting with residents in hospice and the Barrett Centre for Crisis Support.

Barrett Centre volunteers must have an interest & experience in mental health.

Program Assistant

SAM Program (Hamilton West, Hamilton East and Flamborough)

  • Volunteers to interact and help with seniors programming and activities and help prepare snacks and lunch. (Monday-Friday)
  • Volunteers to talk with small groups of seniors and to independently run activities and games (Monday-Sunday)
  • Volunteer who loves music or art volunteer their talents on a Monday, Wednesday or Thursday for 60 minutes anytime between 10:00 am and 1:00 pm (Flamborough location)

SAM Aphasia

SAM Hamilton East
Flamborough

Volunteers assist with supporting clients in conversations and/or facilitating group discussions and specific group activities or programs.

Volunteers are trained in Supported Conversation Techniques for Aphasia so they can provide conversational support to clients.

Special Event Volunteers

Occasional: daytime, evenings and weekends

Volunteers are needed throughout the year to help with events such as the Christmas Hamper program, the Christmas Wonderland Dinner, community events, food drives, and special dinners.

Marketplace/Grocery Volunteers

Monday-Friday morning and afternoon shifts

Volunteers are needed to re-stock shelves, fridges, freezers, work with clothing and small housewares, and assist clients at check out by bagging their items.

Warehouse Volunteers

Monday-Friday, morning and afternoon shifts.

Volunteers are needed to assist with receiving & sorting donations (food, clothing, housewares) and re-packaging donations as needed.

Special Skills

We are looking for volunteers who are interested in sharing their passions and skills! Hairdressers, nail artist, yoga, meditation and Pilates instructors, gardening, flower arranging, arts and crafts, music, etc.

Men’s Shelter Night Reception

Men’s Shelter (Monday – Sunday)

11:00 p.m. – 3:00 a.m.

We are seeking volunteers to assist at the reception desk of the Men’s Shelter at 135 Mary Street, Hamilton.  This is a great volunteer opportunity for students training in Emergency Medical Services, paramedics and/or fire.

Specific Duties:

  • Answering phones
  • Assisting clients entering and leaving the shelter
  • Support staff with administrative tasks

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