Volunteer opportunities

There are lots of ways to have a positive impact on your community. You can find a way to volunteer with the city and other resources on this page.

On this page:

Current opportunities
Youth volunteer opportunities
Organize a community clean-up
Brighten the day for your neighbours
Get more involved in your neighbourhood
Other ways to make an impact
Volunteer with a local agency
2026 International Year of Volunteers

Current opportunities

Open the accordions below to discover current volunteer opportunities with the City of Kitchener.

Social Support Telephone

Social Support Telephone Volunteers assist in fostering a sense of belonging and supportive community by engaging in friendly and casual conversation over the phone with seniors at risk for social isolation or loneliness due to various factors like mobility, health, and other age-related challenges. Volunteers call assigned participants on a weekly basis to check in on participants’ well-being and provide social connections. Seniors receiving these calls will be supported by a dedicated volunteer.

We are looking for volunteers who:

Treat everyone with respect, accept people as they are, and have a sincere interest in building supportive connections with older adults who may be feeling lonely or isolated.
Can build positive, friendly connections over the phone.
Can communicate confidently in English.
Can commit to volunteer for a regular weekly shift for a minimum of 6 months.
Are available either Monday morning (10am – 12pm) or Monday afternoon (1 -2pm)
Are age 18+

For more information and to apply to volunteer in this program, please click here

Applications will remain open until the volunteer role has been filled

Adapted Aquatics

Under the guidance of an Adapted Aquatics Instructor, volunteers provide one-on-one support to children and adults with a disability by instructing and overseeing the swimming progression of their assigned participants.

Volunteers must:

Be able to pass the swim test
Be 14 years old or older
Available for training on September 10, 2026, 5 to 8 p.m.

The next session of Adapted Aquatics runs September 17 to October 29, 2026 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Forest Heights Pool.

Applications are open until August 11, 2026.

For more information and to apply to volunteer in this program, please click here

If you have any questions about applying, please contact AdaptedAquatics@kitchener.ca or call 519-741-2493.

Bike Check volunteers

Bike Kitchener's Bike Check - it's like a coat check, only for your bike!

We need volunteers to run Bike Check services so cyclists can enjoy summer events without worrying about their bikes.

Volunteers will:

· Provide a positive experience for residents by providing great customer service

· Assist at various events starting in June until September

· Work 2-to-3-hour shifts outside on weekends and evenings

· Volunteers must be 15 years or older and comfortable standing for long periods of time

For more information about Bike Check and to apply, click here.

Applications will remain open throughout the season.

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Youth volunteer opportunities

Do you know a young person looking for volunteer hours? Check out these opportunities:

check out our current volunteer opportunities to see if any postings fit your interests and availability
Building Youth Leadership Development (BYLD) gives young people aged 12 to 15 the opportunity to learn leadership skills, responsibility and self-confidence
Kitchener Youth Crew gives kids aged 12 to 17 a chance to help out at youth drop-in programs at their local community centre
Kitchener Youth Action Council (KYAC) is for young people aged 14 to 24 who want to make a positive difference in the community
Parks Youth Engagement Committee (PYEC) is for young people aged 14 to 18 who are interested in contributing to the improvement of Kitchener parks

For any questions about BYLD, Youth Crew, KYAC or PYEC, please send us an email.

Organize a community clean-up

Organize your own community clean-up of a local park, public space, or trail. If your clean-up is in April, register online to get free supplies from your local community centre.

Community clean-ups bring people together for a common cause: cleaning up our community. They provide an opportunity to see how a small act for a short time can have a great impact. When people get involved in cleaning their neighbourhoods, parks and open spaces, they are less likely to litter and more likely to keep it clean.

Brighten the day for your neighbours

Consider simple ways you can make a positive contribution to your neighbourhood, like:

helping neighbours bring in their trash or recycling bins
dropping off positive cards or notes
arranging to have a meal delivered to someone’s home
keeping your property neat and attractive
recognize a garden that you think makes Kitchener a greener, more vibrant or sustainable place to live by submitting the address for a Kitchener in Bloom award

Get more involved in your neighbourhood

Check out the What's in my Neighbourhood? map, reach out to a nearby community centre to find out which neighbourhood association is active in your area and ask if they’re looking for volunteers, or take some time to connect with your neighbour and start planning a neighbourhood project with the help of a neighourhood liaison.

You could also get to know your neighbours better by organizing a virtual, or outdoor gathering.

Other ways to make an impact

Open the accordions below to find other ways to make a positive impact in your community.

Donate items you no longer need or use

As a household, sort through toys, books, clothes, linens, and other items from your home. Local organizations that will accept clean items in good repair include Thrift on Kent and Worth a Second Look. If you want to share your books with others in your neighbourhood, consider placing them in a Little Library.

Donate items to a local organization

Many agencies and community organizations keep yearly or seasonal wish lists of products and items that help their clients in their daily lives or just help the agency to run more smoothly, for example:

Donate food and pantry items to a community fridge

“Take what you need. Leave what you can.”

Did you know Community Fridge KW is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week outside the Kitchener Market (300 King Street East, Kitchener)? Donations of fresh produce and non-perishable food items can be dropped off, or picked up, anytime. 519 Nourish Community Fridge is also accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 150 Roger Street in Waterloo.

Recognize a deserving neighbour

Do you have a good neighbour? Nominate them for the Good Neighbour recognition program so they know their efforts are appreciated! You can nominate a Kitchener resident, group, business, or organization who makes your neighbourhood a better place to live. You will receive a thank you card signed by the mayor and a member of council to give to your neighbour. Nominees will also be entered into a bi-monthly draw to win great prizes. Find information about other City of Kitchener awards and recognition opportunities on our website.

Volunteer with a local agency

If you’re looking to make a positive impact over a longer period, you may want to consider volunteering with a local organization. Visit the Volunteer Waterloo Region website to see what in-person and virtual volunteer opportunities are available.

2026 United Nations International Year of Volunteers

The United Nations has designated 2026 as the International Volunteer Year in recognition of the role volunteers play in sustainable development. It’s a global call to action to celebrate the ways in which people generously give their time, care, and energy to strengthen their communities.

This once-in-a-generation opportunity will celebrate the power of civic participation and aims to renew Canada’s culture of volunteering. To learn more, visit the Volunteer Canada website.