Think of it as an investment!

Volunteering is a win-win situation. When you find a volunteer role that’s right for you, everyone comes out ahead. For the people whose lives you touch, your contribution can ease loneliness, create hope and expand opportunities. What’s more, your volunteering can help make your community a better place to live.

Volunteering is one of the best investments you can make with your time. The more you give, the more you get. But the rewards are not the kind you measure in dollars and cents. On top of the difference you can make in the lives of others, volunteering helps you:

• Get more work experience to put on your resume
• Show off the skills you already have
• Learn new skills
• Meet people and make connections
• Try out career ideas by working in fields that interest you

As a non-profit charity, LINKages Society believes that volunteerism is evidence of good citizenship and is critical to building social cohesion, which in turn fosters generosity, reciprocity, and ultimately results in more altruistic acts of kindness.

Youth Volunteers

LINKages Society has always valued youth volunteerism and believes that providing young people an opportunity to volunteer with seniors develops life skills and values that will be maintained into adulthood. Our school programs encourage youth to volunteer during their lunch hours and provide one-on-one companionship by visiting seniors in care centres.

LINKages would like to offer more programs as there are more youth in the schools than we can accommodate with senior matches. It is vital that we do not lose this opportunity and seek new ways for all youth who want to volunteer with a senior a chance to do so.

For more information on volunteering as a student

Adult Volunteers

To manage the increasing demand for our programs, in fall 2008 we will increase the amount of adult volunteers engaged in program delivery. With the support of the Wildrose Foundation, LINKages is currently recruiting, training, supervising and supporting adult volunteers and it is our goal to engage intergenerational volunteers at every level of program operations. Volunteer experiences can be a good way to learn more about yourself- your abilities; interests and commitments.

By sharing your time and your talents, you enrich all our programs and services and enable LINKages to provide comprehensive intergenerational programs and services. Volunteering is something you can do, no matter who you are.

For more information on adult volunteering opportunities