Getting Involved as a Volunteer

Caring about children & families

Ontario's Children's Aid Societies (CASs) couldn't reach the children and families who need our help if it wasn't for the efforts of our volunteers. In some communities, CASs are known as Family and Children's Services.

Volunteers play an important role in the services CASs provide. Their contribution is invaluable and provides a vital link between the CAS and the communities we serve.

The opportunity to make a difference

The greatest satisfaction of volunteering is knowing that you've helped to improve the life of a child and his or her parents. You also have the chance to meet interesting people, including other volunteers, staff, foster parents, and the children and families served by the CAS. As an added benefit, volunteering helps uncover and develop many valuable skills you may not know you have.

Our volunteers come from all walks of life

CAS volunteers are special people who choose to contribute their time, energy, and special skills to the children and families we serve.

They are men and women, young and old, single and partnered, students, working people, and retirees. They also come from diverse cultural, racial, ethnic, and religious groups.

Opportunities to volunteer vary from one CAS to another, but generally volunteers can get involved in a wide range of services. We try to fit the assignment to the skills, interests, and available time of each volunteer.

Some volunteers develop supportive relationships with children and families by becoming special friends or tutors. Others participate in children's groups, or take part in ongoing programs that benefit both children and their parents.

Volunteers provide a wide range of services

Many volunteers do whatever is needed to help improve the lives of children in our care, such as driving children to appointments. Others serve on our board or committees.

The roles taken on by volunteers include:

• Driver and Escort
• Family Visiting Volunteer
• Special Friend
• Tutor
• Child Care Provider
• Summer Buddy
• Life Book Creator

No matter how you volunteer with us, you'll be part of a team that includes staff, foster parents and children and families. You'll benefit from training, supervision, and recognition for your contribution — but your primary reward will be knowing that you're making a difference in the lives of children and their families.

Time Commitments

There are volunteering opportunities available for whatever time commitment you're able to give. Some volunteers donate a few hours each week or month, while others donate a large part of their leisure time.

To make volunteering as convenient as possible, we'll try to assign you to a program that's close to your home or work.

Become a volunteer

If you're interesting in becoming a volunteer, please contact the Frontenac Children's Aid Society and arrange to attend an orientation session.

After learning more about the Frontenac Children's Aid Society, you'll be interviewed and asked for reference checks. This process helps both you and us decide whether volunteering at the CAS is right for you.