Rooftop garden volunteers
How You Can Help

Volunteer

If you share our passion for advancing gender equity and want to be a part of a supportive, dedicated organization, while supporting women and families across Metro Vancouver, come volunteer with us!

As an equity-seeking organization, the YWCA Metro Vancouver values its diverse workplace and is committed to fostering a community of inclusion and belonging. Increasing representation within our organization's volunteer base is a priority and we are taking significant and meaningful steps towards achieving this goal. Women, Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities and people from other marginalized groups are strongly encouraged to volunteer.

Type

Individual Volunteering

 

Whether you’re teaching yoga, mentoring youth or helping us fundraise, there are many ways to make an impact. 

 

Corporate and Group Volunteering

 

From tending to our Rooftop Garden to preparing meals for families, corporate volunteers strengthen their teams while giving back to the community. 

Volunteer Opportunities

Her Place - Chinese Speaking Program Assistant

Her Place at Crabtree Corner is a program for women 45+, that aims to build community and provide an intergenerational opportunity for seniors and other women in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside to find their voices and share their skills. Her Place uses a mentorship model for skills-building and deploys Matriarchal Indigenous principles that support grandmothers, mothers, aunties and other women in the community.

YWCA Crabtree Corner
Role of Volunteers
One volunteer needed to assist with spoken Chinese - English translation between the program facilitators and the program participants.
Number of Volunteers
1
Date
Tuesdays from February 27 until March 19, 2024
Time
1:00pm - 2:30pm
Individual Volunteering

Indigenous Mentorship Sunday Circle

The YWCA Indigenous Mentorship Program is seeking applications for mentors to participate in 2024's Indigenous Mentor Circle.  
  

YWCA Program Centre | 535 Hornby St - 4th floor, Vancouver & online via Zoom
Date
Every 3rd Sunday
Time
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Individual Volunteering

Host a Community Breakfast - Wednesdays in 2024

Providing a meal through YWCA Crabtree Corner Community kitchen is an amazing way to really see the impact of your time and generosity for our clients living in the downtown east side. Under the supervision of our YWCA kitchen staff, your team will prepare a healthy, fulfilling breakfast served in-person to approximately 60-75 members of our community who come to us daily for food and support. 

533 East Hastings Street
Role of Volunteers
Food preparation, serving and clean up
Number of Volunteers
6-8
Date
Wednesdays throughout 2024
Time
8:00am-10:30am
Corporate and Group Volunteering

Playground and Storage Area Clean-Up

Emma's Early Learning and Care Centre is looking for an enthusiastic group of volunteers to help clean and organize their outdoor play area, including a storage shed.

This task would take 4-6 people about 2-3 hours, and would be a wonderful help to our staff and children.

Emma's Early Learning and Care, 3839 Carolina Street
Number of Volunteers
4-6
Date
Open to Volunteer Availability, July or August would be preferred
Time
Open to Volunteer Availability, 2-3 hours of work anticipated
Corporate and Group Volunteering

Bike Mechanic Program Assistant

The YWCA Gear Up program is looking for experienced and knowledgeable cyclists to support students as they learn bicycle maintenance and repair. Supervision and instruction will be provided by the program, but additional assistance would be appreciated.

Recommended Qualifications:

  • Minimum one year experience in working on bikes, and a good knowledge of basic bike fixes, 
  • Experience working with at-risk youth an asset
1187 Parker Street, Vancouver, near Clark and Venables
Date
Weekly from June 26th to July 28th, and from October 2nd to November 3rd
Time
Sessions run Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, from 8:00am-12:00pm and from 12:45pm-4:45pm. Volunteers would be welcome to all sessions, but could select sessions depending on availability.
Individual Volunteering

Kitchen and Childminding Volunteer

YWCA Crabtree Corner Housing is a transitional program, with supports for pregnant and parenting women in recovery, based on a harm reduction model.

We are seeking 2-3 volunteers to assist in their weekly residence gathering. With supervision, volunteers would help the housing staff to:

  • Prepare a meal in the Crabtree Kitchen
  • Serve the residents and assist in clean up
  • Help with childcare, as needed, while the mothers meet. 

 

Crabtree Corner Housing, 533 East Hastings Street, Vancouver
Date
Thursdays, starting now until first week of July
Time
3:00pm - 6:00pm
Individual Volunteering

YWCA Youth Education Guide to High School In-Person Facilitators

The YWCA Metro Vancouver will be running after-school programs this fall to support Grade 7 students in their transition to high school. A team of staff and volunteers deliver pre-planned curriculum on topics such as healthy living, social media, friendship, peer pressure, bullying, and mindsets to a group of 15-20 Grade 7 students.

elementary or secondary school in Surrey or Vancouver
Role of Volunteers
Facilitator
Number of Volunteers
80-100
Date
September to December 2022
Time
M-F, 2:30-5:30pm (please note times vary at different locations)
Individual Volunteering

Backpacks for Children from Low-Income Families 

We are in need of 150 new backpacks and school supplies for school-aged children from low-income single mother-led families in Coquitlam, Surrey, North Vancouver, Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.  Any quantity of backpacks would be much appreciated!

For a list of school supplies click here.

 

 

Multiple
Role of Volunteers
Put together and distribute backpacks and school supplies for children
Number of Volunteers
Unlimited
Date
Ongoing
Time
Flexible
Corporate and Group Volunteering

Mentoring, Hosting Workshops, Workplace Visits

YWCA Metro Vancouver offers several unique employment programs that provide opportunities for volunteers to share their skills and experience through mentoring, hosting workshops, mock interviews, etc. 

Metro Vancouver
Date
Ongoing
Time
Flexible
Corporate and Group Volunteering

Create and Deliver Self-Care Kits for Women in Need

Create self-care kits for women experiencing homelessness, substance use issues, poverty, violence, poor health or other challenges in the Downtown Eastside. Self Care Kits are distributed daily at YWCA Crabtree Corner.

With your co-workers, friends or family assemble items from the list below in clear plastic bags and deliver them to Crabtree Corner. You are welcome to add other items that you think may be useful.

YWCA Crabtree Corner, 533 East Hastings Street
Date
Ongoing
Time
Flexible
Corporate and Group Volunteering

Create and Deliver House Warming Baskets for Families

Many of the families that move into YWCA second-stage transition housing arrive with nothing but their clothing. Second-stage housing is where women can begin to rebuild their lives away from an abusive partner.

The YWCA provides furnished apartments, emotional support, information and referrals, safety planning and court accompaniment. Your group can help this difficult transition by purchasing and assembling House Warming Baskets for families when they first arrive.

Lower Mainland
Date
Ongoing
Time
Flexible
Corporate and Group Volunteering
Woman on computer

Didn't see a position that interests you?

If you haven't found an opportunity that is suitable for you or your company, please contact us.

With more than 75 programs and services across Metro Vancouver, we would love to find a fit for your skills and interests!

What Our Volunteers Say about their experiences