Volunteer Opportunities
We believe that God calls all people to live in community. In community we discover that everyone has God given resources to meet each other's needs; the gifts of the individual become gifts to the whole group. As we discover and empower each other's gifts and acknowledge our own needs, we become stronger and more mature, both individually and communally. Because of this, we invite people to join the Sanctuary community by entering into partnership with us as volunteers.
Since our primary focus, however, is on long-term cultivation of relationships and community, we do not typically offer opportunities for one-time group volunteering. If a group is interested in experiencing Sanctuary's work firsthand, we prefer to offer that in the context of an education program. The education program normally incorporates some hands-on experience but our focus will be more on learning and less on doing. For more information along these lines, see under Group Education.
For Individuals
Drop-In Meal Programs
- Wednesday, 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Thursday, 4:30 to 9:00 p.m.
Come in, sit down at a table and join our community for a meal. Come as early as you want and leave whenever you need to.
Tuesday Women's Drop-In (9:30 a.m.
to 1:00 p.m.). A smaller, more intimate drop-in. Help prepare and eat a
yummy lunch!
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Games and Arts Drop-In
- Friday, 12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
A small drop-in for folks who are looking either for an opportunity for artistic expression or to play a few hands of cards or Risk or Monopoly or Trivial Pursuit or whatever!
Contact: Alan at 416-922-0628 x.211 or
alanb AT sanctuarytoronto DOT ca
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Street Outreach
For those who have somewhat more experience with our community (likely through participation in one of the other programs), join us to walk through our neighborhood to meet community members on their own turf. Sometimes, we go out with supplies (e.g. socks, water, hot chocolate) but our primary goal is to offer pastoral care to our community on the street. Various times during the week.
Contact: Alan at 416-922-0628 x.211 or
alanb AT sanctuarytoronto DOT ca
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Health Clinic
Open concurrent with two main drop-ins (see above). Everything from basic care (e.g. giving out Tylenol, treating colds and flu) to foot care, pregnancy care and more. Our preference is that, when Health Clinic volunteers start, they spend the first few weeks hanging out in drop-in before working in the Health Clinic. Open to all types of Health Care Professionals.
Contact: Alan at 416-922-0628 x.211 or
alanb AT sanctuarytoronto DOT ca.
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Employment Program
Our wood-working shop located at Sanctuary West near Bloor and Lansdowne. Whether you’re a skilled wood-worker or not, you’re welcome to come by and engage in relationship with the Sanctuary community within the context of dignified and meaningful work. Generally open three days each week (days only, not evenings).
Contact: Wayne at 416-778-0694 or wayne AT
sanctuarytoronto DOT ca.
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Arts Studio
Located at Sanctuary West. No need to be an expert artist able to teach others. Feel free to simply come by to practice your art, to hone your skill or simply to dabble within the context of our community! The Studio should be open two days each week.
Contact: Sharon at 416-922-0628 x.221 or
sharont AT sanctuarytoronto DOT ca.
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Drama
For amateurs, professionals or otherwise. Whether you're interested in learning and practicing or sharing your expertise, join our theatre troupe, The Screaming Monkeys and practice your art within the Sanctuary community. Scheduling is unpredictable and based largely on performance dates.
Contact: Lyf at 416-922-0628 x.215 or lyfs
AT sanctuarytoronto DOT ca.
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Odd Jobs
Do you like to fix things? Good at painting? Looking for some data-entry work? Are you an organizer? A computer geek? A web designer? Just happy to do whatever? Any or all of these are skills that we need at different times throughout the year and, if we knew about you, we would be only too glad to put your gifts to good use.
Contact: Alan at 416-922-0628 x.211 or
alanb
AT sanctuarytoronto DOT ca.
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Long-Term Group Volunteer Opportunities
The following opportunities are relevant to only to groups of 4 or more who are willing and able to make an ongoing commitment to Sanctuary's programs.
Drop-In Meal Programs
- Wednesday, 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Thursday, 4:30 to 9:00 p.m.
If
you are going to bring a group on a regular basis, we can only welcome
4 or 5 such volunteers at a time. In the drop-in, your assignment will
be to come in, divide up, sit down at a table and join our community to
engage in relationship over a meal. Come as early as you want and leave
whenever you need to.
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Street Outreach
For
those who have somewhat more experience with our community (likely
through participation in one of the other programs), join us to walk
through our neighborhood to meet community members on their own turf.
Sometimes, we go out with supplies (e.g. socks, water, hot chocolate)
but our primary goal is to offer pastoral care to our community on the
street. Various times during the week.
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Odd Jobs
For groups that are too large, can't come to one of our existing programs or just would rather roll up their sleeves and get something done, there are a number of one-of-a-kind jobs. Some possibilities:
- Building maintenance
- Cleaning
- Painting
- Sorting and counting vitamins
- Filling shampoo containers
- Sorting socks
For more information on any of these opportunities, contact
Alan at 416-922-0628 x.211 or:
alanb AT sanctuarytoronto DOT ca.
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