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:

  1. Volunteer Appreciation Week
  2. Current opportunities
  3. Youth volunteer opportunities
  4. Organize a community clean-up
  5. Brighten the day for your neighbours
  6. Get more involved in your neighbourhood
  7. Other ways to make an impact
  8. Volunteer with a local agency
  9. 2026 International Year of Volunteers

Volunteer Appreciation Week (April 19-25) 

Volunteers strengthen our city, support neighbours and help build inclusive communities through shared action. It’s the neighbour who shovels your sidewalk after a snowstorm, the group of residents cleaning up a local park, the person who helps with seniors programs or aquatics, or the students who show up to do their part for the community.  

We are deeply grateful to the thousands of Kitchener volunteers who help strengthen community ties. Your generosity, care and commitment make our city a better place for everyone. Thank you for all that you do.

Current opportunities

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

The Community Threads - Learn to Sew program is for beginners to learn the basics of sewing, such as reading a pattern, selecting the right fabric for a project, and operating a sewing machine, with the help of volunteer instructors in a warm and welcoming environment. This program will be offered at the Downtown Community Center. 

Volunteers should be: 

  • Age 18+, applicants under 18 will not be considered
  • Comfortably experienced at using sewing machines 
  • Able to communicate in a positive manner 
  • Interested in working with community members of diverse backgrounds 
  • Experience teaching instructional classes is encouraged  

Applications are due by Friday, May 15, 2026. 

Apply to be a Learn to Sew volunteer.

Golf Fore Life is a specialized program that supports golfers living with dementia to continue to play the sport they love. We are currently looking for volunteer caddies to support the upcoming golf season.

What will you be doing?

  • Assist a golfer one-on-one on the golf course
  • Drive a golf cart, help select clubs and assist with teeing up
  • Provide golf tips and advice

We are looking for volunteers who:

  • Have practical knowledge about the game of golf (i.e., how to play, golf etiquette)
  • Are interested in supporting someone with dementia
  • Experience supporting individuals with dementia is an asset, but not required 
  • Are caring, understanding, friendly and outgoing
  • Have good verbal communication skills
  • Can commit to volunteering once a week for a 10-week program 
  • Age 18+ 

This program runs:

  • Tuesdays: June 23 – August 25, 9:00-11:30 a.m.
  • Thursdays: June 25-August 27 (no program July 30) 9:00-11:30 a.m.  

Apply to become a Golf Fore Life Caddie. 

The City of Kitchener is committed to ensuring that all residents can participate in leisure and recreational programs regardless of age and/or ability. 

By becoming a Leisure Support Volunteer, you can assist individuals in city programs that may require additional support to participate. Leisure Support volunteers provide one-on-one or group support to participants in a city program led by staff. 

Opportunities may include: 

  • All-Access Hangout program for youth ages 14-21 with a disability. In this program, you will provide enthusiasm, redirection, instruction breakdown, and repeat instructions as needed for the tasks at hand (i.e., cooking, crafts, etc.)   
  • Basketball program: you may be assisting a child by redirecting them to the task at hand and promoting friendship building. 
  • Learn to golf program: you will provide a schedule breakdown so that the participant knows what to expect.
  • Swimming lesson: you will reinforce pool safety and provide positive choices when waiting for their turn to swim. 

Volunteers should have: 

  • An interest in supporting individuals with a disability (experience an asset) 
  • Ability to communicate in a positive manner and read body language and other non-verbal forms of communication 
  • Ages 18+, but younger volunteers with lived experience may be considered 

Apply to become a Leisure Support Volunteer. 

Volunteer shifts and programs are dependent upon the number of support requests received and the individuals requiring support, but year-round weekly volunteer shifts and daily summer-time shifts (July and August) may be available.

Accessible formats, accommodations, and communication supports are available upon request. Please email marina.dotzert@kitchener.ca or call 519-783-8996 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance. 

The Forestry and Natural Areas Team is looking for volunteers interested in environmental restoration to join our Kitchener Nature Stewards program.

Gain hands-on field experience with various aspects of ecological stewardship and restoration, initially focused on invasive plant species identification and removal.

 We are recruiting for two roles: 

  • Individual Stewards will help with the manual work (ages 14+)
  • Lead Stewards will take on a leadership role of their group, reporting back to staff (ages 18+)

No prior experience is necessary. Volunteers must be at least 14 years old. 

Let’s work together to make Kitchener’s natural areas healthier!  

Apply by April 28 to become a Volunteer Nature Steward.

The new Parks Youth Engagement Committee (PYEC) gives Kitchener youth the opportunity to participate in engagement projects for Kitchener Parks. This will introduce youth to the municipal process while incorporating their input and advocacy into park projects. Learn more on our PYEC web page. 

We are looking for volunteers who:

  • Are between 14 to 18 years old
  • Live in Kitchener
  • Can attend monthly in-person meetings at Rockway Centre from 6 to 8 p.m.

Committee members will receive two volunteer hours per meeting.  

Interested youth can apply to join until Sunday, May 3. 

Apply to join PYEC

Subscribe for volunteer opportunities updates

Youth volunteer opportunities

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

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.

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.

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:

“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.

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.

Contact Us

City of Kitchener
200 King Street West,
Kitchener, Ontario
N2G 4G7
Telephone: 519-741-2345
TTY: 1-866-969-9994
Email: info@kitchener.ca

Land acknowledgement

The City of Kitchener is situated on the traditional territory of the Chonnonton, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee Peoples. We recognize our responsibility to act as stewards for the land and honour the original caretakers who came before us. Our community is enriched by the enduring knowledge and deep-rooted traditions of the diverse First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples who live in Kitchener today.