Welcome to the Mission Services Community! Thanks so much for your interest in volunteering. Volunteers play a big role in our work and are vital to the meaningful impact we have in the community. We look forward to getting to know you and learning about your interests and skills.
Please note that there is a process to becoming a volunteer. As part of our onboarding, we require:
-proof of COVID-19 vaccination (2 shots)
-a criminal records check (different roles require different levels)
-an interview with the Volunteer Coordinator
-online registration and document signing
After these steps, we provide an orientation to Mission Services and role-specific training that will prepare you for your volunteer position. By volunteering, you will be making a real difference in creating a more prosperous and caring city for everyone!
For more information, please send your inquiry to Katrine at
volunteer@mission-services.com or, call 905 528 5100-ext.1104.
Please note that there is a process to becoming a volunteer. As part of our onboarding, we require:
-proof of COVID-19 vaccination (2 shots)
-a criminal records check (different roles require different levels)
-an interview with the Volunteer Coordinator
-online registration and document signing
After these steps, we provide an orientation to Mission Services and role-specific training that will prepare you for your volunteer position. By volunteering, you will be making a real difference in creating a more prosperous and caring city for everyone!
For more information, please send your inquiry to Katrine at
volunteer@mission-services.com or, call 905 528 5100-ext.1104.
What You Can Expect
- Meet and interact with great people
- Help Mission Services achieve its goal of serving every person who comes to us in need
- Learn, build, and contribute your unique skills
- Gain valuable and even life-changing experiences
- Receive support and assistance every step of the way!
If you are interested in group volunteering, please email our Volunteer Coordinator, Katrine, at kraymond@mission-services.com.
Getting Started!
Below you can see all of the programs and services at Mission Services where volunteers are active. These will help you decide where you’d like to spend your time with us. During the application and interview process, you can let us know what your availability is and what kind of schedule works best for you.
Volunteer Opportunities
Willow’s Place is a safe daytime drop-in for women that runs seven days a week. Opportunities for volunteer roles at Willow’s Place include planning and running craft and social activities, interacting with service users during programming, serving meals to participants, and assisting with meal clean-up.Inasmuch Houseis a 40-bed shelter for women and children who have experienced abuse and homelessness. Your volunteer opportunities within the shelter include organizing and sorting donations and storage, assisting in supporting the LEAF program (Learning Effective Anti-Violence in Families), administrative support at the front desk, providing support with meals by helping to serve and clean up, and special projects.
The Men's Emergency Shelter is open 24-7. Here we give shelter and meals to men who are experiencing homelessness or have nowhere else safe to go. Some of the volunteer roles here include helping in the kitchen and special projects like gardening, sorting and organizing donations, and assisting our maintenance team to support the cleanliness of the environment.
Housing UP! supports individuals experiencing episodic and chronic homelessness to improve their housing status by obtaining safe, affordable, and stable housing within the Hamilton community. Once housed, Case Managers maintain ongoing contact to support them with their transition to independent living and to achieve their wellness goals. Volunteer roles include special opportunities such as assembling IKEA furniture for clients and sorting and organizing inventory.
The 196 is an afterschool program for youth in grades 6-9 in the neighbourhoods surrounding our Wentworth street location. As a volunteer in The 196, you may assist staff with the supervision of students within the building, help youth with homework and after-school projects, assist with crafts and playing games, support outdoor activities such as visiting the park or gardening, and mentor youth and listen to their concerns.
A Kitchen Assistant volunteer helps with preparing ingredients needed for cooking meals in our shelter kitchens or community kitchen, serving client meals in a cafeteria-style environment, and assisting with washing dishes and clean-up. Requirements may include being able to lift 20 pounds, stand and walk for 3-4 hours at a time, work in a hot kitchen, following kitchen rules to ensure proper hygiene, and the ability to follow instructions from Food Services staff regarding safe food handling.
The Good Food Centre is an emergency food program that provides groceries to food-insecure families. Volunteering at the Centre may involve preparing grocery packs according to family size and dietary and cultural requests, stocking shelves, and assisting with warehouse organization and stocking incoming products.
Facilities Services maintains and cares for our physical spaces. As a Facilities Maintenance Volunteer, your responsibilities may include assisting with repairs and maintenance as needed, landscaping work, and cleaning.
A Kitchen Assistant volunteer helps with preparing ingredients needed for cooking meals in our shelter kitchens or community kitchen, serving client meals in a cafeteria-style environment, and assisting with washing dishes and clean-up. Requirements may include being able to lift 20 pounds, stand and walk for 3-4 hours at a time, work in a hot kitchen, following kitchen rules to ensure proper hygiene, and the ability to follow instructions from Food Services staff regarding safe food handling.
The Good Food Centre is an emergency food program that provides groceries to food-insecure families. Volunteering at the Centre may involve preparing grocery packs according to family size and dietary and cultural requests, stocking shelves, and assisting with warehouse organization and stocking incoming products.
Facilities Services maintains and cares for our physical spaces. As a Facilities Maintenance Volunteer, your responsibilities may include assisting with repairs and maintenance as needed, landscaping work, and cleaning.
Our Philosophy
At Mission Services, we believe that volunteers are a valuable part of our team and community. We value safety, collaboration, self-awareness, and growth. Volunteers learn, share, and develop their unique skills to help us meet our goal of serving every person who comes to us in need. As ambassadors, our volunteers bring their voices, vision and diverse experiences to Mission Services. Along the way, our volunteers receive support and assistance, build relationships, and gain valuable and life-changing experiences of personal growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
1How old do I have to be to volunteer?
We have volunteer opportunities for anyone aged 16 or older.
2How long does the application process take?
MSH Volunteer Resources will respond to an inquiry or an application as soon as possible. Once the application is received, an interview will be scheduled. A volunteer placement will be confirmed at the interview. Once all the required reference checks are completed and the documents signed you will be able to start.
3Will I receive training?
All volunteers will receive specific training with regards to their program and position. Volunteers will also be asked to participate in a general orientation.
4Is there a specific time commitment?
Volunteer shifts vary from program to program but are generally 2 hours to about 4 hours once per week.
5Do I need previous volunteer experience?
You do not need previous experience to volunteer with us. The placement of a volunteer is based solely on the individual’s ability to meet the volunteer position requirements established by the program and successfully completing the screening and volunteer process.
6I signed up but can no longer come, what do I do?
If you have committed to a volunteer position within a program, you will have a contact number/email for your supervisor that you would use to connect with them.