Service Organizations

Big Brothers Big Sisters

This website describes the type of activities that people can participate in to help young children and adolescents. It provides a detailed list of programs that are available for volunteers and potential little brothers and sisters. This website is a valuable tool to teachers because it makes accessible information that teachers may use to recommend a child who they feel would benefit from participating in the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program. In addition, this website provides teachers with suggestions on how they can get their class involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters. For example, high school students may decide to collectively take on a specific group of students or a certain community. Also, a teacher may see the need for several students and develop a partnership with a neighbouring school.--Caterina Campione

Caritas

This website includes a comprehensive description of the Caritas project. The Caritas project is a non-profit organization that assists people with drug addictions, psychological disorders, or people experiencing family issues. It makes available to people the support, guidance and counseling that is necessary for them to grow into independent, responsible, functional members of society. Fr. Gianni Carparelli founded Caritas. This website is useful for teachers for a number of reasons. Firstly, with an increase in substance abuse and family problems among students, teachers should be aware of charitable organizations that are willing to assist their students should the need arise. Secondly, teachers should make public information regarding agencies that students can turn to should they need assistance and they do not want to ask for it. Finally, students may choose to do some volunteer work within this organization, if not during highschool, but perhaps in the future.--Caterina Campione

Catholic Children's Aid Society

Catholic Community Services of York Region

This site provides an avenue for teachers to guide and assist wanting new students and their families with the necessary resources that can be found in their immediate community. Such things as; Therapy Services, Immigrant Services, and Agency Sponsored Activities in the community, can all be found on this site. A list of local Parishes in York Region that are involved in the Social Ministry is also available. -- S. DiGiacomo

Charity Village

This is an online newspaper with the following sections: news, jobs, information and resources for executives, staffers, donors, and volunteers. It provides links to all of the above plus more, such as up coming conferences, career development and academic programs. -- Macrina Salvino

Dixon Hall - Out of the Cold

The Out of the Cold program is a volunteer initiative that includes congregations from different faith groups. Dixon Hall, established in 1929 as soup kitchen during the depression, works in partnership with the Out of the Cold Host sites to support the needs of the guests of the program. The Out of the Cold program was intiated in 1987 by the students of St. Michael's school with the support and guidance of Sister Susan Moran of the order of Our Lady of Perpetual Sorrow. Sr. Susan began connecting with different faith groups who were interested in a safe refuge and warm meals to homeless members of society. There are currently 19 various faith groups in Toronto that provide services to the homeless and less fortunate. At the host site, organizers from one of the parishes of the site (each parish connected with the host sites organizes one meal, three times a season) will aid other volunteers in preparation and serving of the food. Students who are looking to fulfill their 40 hours of Christian community service can fill out an application online. This program is a wonderful opportunity for students to not only complete their service hours but to witness the dedication of the staff and volunteers whose goal is to provide a safe refuge for the homeless members of our society as a temporary solution to the issue of homelessness. -- A. Mendicino

Habitat for Humanity  

This web site is an ecumenical Christian ministry that seeks to eliminate poverty housing from the global community. The construction and renovation of houses gives university and college students a hands-on approach in putting their faith into action. This site also provides creative ways to raise funds for this world-wide initiative. -- R. Mazzotta

Information Markham

The website provides general information on the Town of Markham, Ontario. For high school students who need to complete Christian service work and the 40-hour community involvement as part of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma, the link to the "Information Markham Volunteer Center" helps them match their interests with agencies that meet their requirements. Students can get started by filling out an on-line volunteer application form. Links to other volunteering opportunities and tips on volunteering are also available. Catholic educators can use this site to help students find Catholic agencies in need of volunteers. --  W. Sum

Nelson Mandela Children's Foundation

Founded in 1998, the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund (Canada) is focussed on promoting and realizing Nelson Mandela's global vision of social justice for children and youth.

The Scott Mission

This website provides information about the organization's services, employment and volunteer opportunities, literature and information about the mission. The site offers a history of the mission as well as its goals and objectives. It might be a good example for teachers to use when discussing that people from all denominations often come together to help with the plight of the poor. Teachers can provide this site as a source for students' volunteerism and active participation in their personal, spiritual growth. -- Fran Fraser

St. Francis Table (Capuchin Outreach)

Students can volunteer serving meals to the poor in Parkdale. The Capuchin outreach program feeds the poor every day of the week.-- Ona Stanevicius.

This website is focused on the Toronto based St. Francis Table & St. Clare Centre which together are a ministry of Capuchin-Franciscan Friars and friends committed to creating a Faith Community with the poor in the Parkdale community. The mission is also to provide balances meals, and interaction with this community. The St. Francis Table is a location in Toronto in which the hungry can receive meals. The St. Clare Centre operates as a "Drop in" and include a coffee lounge and organized activities. The site offers jumps to volunteer opportunities and donations. They also complete other events such as food drives. This is a wonderful site to have your students contact and do some research on. This is a wonderful place to possibly complete some volunteer service. It is surely a way for our students to see that service is a part of our faith. -- Mary Muscoiona

Teachers without Borders

This web site deals with social justice issues, and provides resources to teachers on how to bring these issues into the classroom. The web site provides you with an on-line classroom connection that your students would be able to explore issues related to social justice. It also presents you with the option of linking with other teachers internationally.
You have the option to become a member of this international organization. This would
be a great addition to the social justice issues presented in the religion text. -- B.P

The Terry Fox Foundation

(Students can organize a run or walk/fundraise/volunteer at site.)
Terry's struggle with cancer is a marvel for all faithful Christians! - Ona Stanevicius.

Volunteer Canada  

This site provides information on volunteering in Canada and other links. The website is divided into the following subcategories: About Volunteer Canada, Volunteering in Canada, Celebrate Volunteers, Volunteer Screening, Volunteer Centres, Members Circle, FAQs and Volunteer Opportunities Exchange (VOE). This site would be useful to Catholic educators; especially secondary teachers. Teachers can provide their students with various places to volunteer. The Volunteer Opportunities Exchange is also an excellent way of finding organizations who need volunteers. -- S. Campagna

This site gives information about volunteerism in Canada. An outline is given on the following: specific volunteer opportunities and core centres in the country, historical overview, screening procedure and steps to follow to enroll, explanation about the commitment process with a concentrated message on what personal satisfaction and benefits are gained through involvement. Access to this site would be helpful for both students and teachers with an interest in taking an active role with service in community. -- Debbie Flemming

Welcome to 211 Community Information and Volunteer Center-York Region

This website is the place to start if someone wants to make a difference in society. It is a database of community information and volunteer opportunities across all of York Region. It provides an on-line volunteer matching system for both students and adults. It matches volunteers with specific organizations who can use their skills. It can be helpful for teachers who would like to supplement their curriculum with practical learning opportunities. Teachers can also refer students who may require volunteer hours for high school credit. --A.M.D.

Yellow Brick House

Abuse crosses every social and economic group. One in ten women in Canada is abused by their partners and statistically the risk of a teenage girls becoming an abused woman is very high.- Ona Stanevicius.

Sick Children’s Hospital

This site probably came to my attention since I've had a little boy in my class for two years who practically lived at Sick Kids. This little man was born with Down's Syndrome. At the beginning of Grade 2, he was diagnosed with leukemia. This is an excellent link to community services, especially since it's so close to our communities. There are many links which answer just about any question a family may have. "Coming to Sick Kids" prepares families for what this confusing place is all about. So many come from small towns from just about any part of the world. "Virtual Tour" is for families whose kids will be having surgery. It shows examples of the operating room, the playroom, waiting room for moms and dads and the recovery room. "Body Works" helps to understand how the body works when it's healthy and when it's not. They go into how important volunteering is, the various research which is continuously going on, how many different types of counselling are available and all the Health Care Professionals who work there. This site can be useful to teachers because it would help alleviate any fears the class might have about what was going on with their friend. It would explain exactly where he was, how he was being looked after and that his parents would be at the hospital to hug him when he needed it. They would eagerly await his return back to school.-- Irene McNeil

Kinclubs

Service organizations play a big role in today's society. Kin Canada is an all-Canadian organization made up of active community volunteers. Kin clubs fund local projects across the country. Kin are also one of the biggest supporters of cystic fibrosis (CF). Since 1964 more than $31 million have been donated towards CF research. This association was founded in 1920 in Hamilton, Ontario by a gentleman named Harold (Hal) Rogers. After the First World War, Hal decided to get together for dinner with a few young men his own age. That was the start of the first Kinsmen Club. Today more than 9,000 members belong to Kinette and Kin Clubs across Canada. The motto of Kin is "Serving the community's greatest needs." Each local club determines how it will raise funds to help in the community. This could range anywhere from paying for neighbourhood playgrounds, holding raffles, hosting craft shows, selling fireworks, holding pre-teen dances, even dressing up for "Fright Nights" for Hallowe'en. Money raised in the community from these projects is used to help numerous community needs: supporting community hospitals, purchasing medical equipment for a needy person, donating bursaries for continued education, buying a CF child a special vest to help breathe easier, to name just a few. Students need to become aware of the effect of volunteering, and a service club is a good way to start. Teachers should investigate the communities where they work or live, find out how much has been done thanks to the endless volunteer hours put in by the Lions, Shriners, Rotary Clubs or Kin clubs. Hopefully this will give the students incentive and inspiration when they have to make a decision about volunteering.-- Irene McNeil

Catholic Relief Services

This is a wonderful organization whose “mission is to assist the poor and disadvantaged, leveraging the teachings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to alleviate human suffering, promote development of all people and to foster charity and justice throughout the world.” It was founded in 1943 and now helps 99 countries and territories around the world. Although this is a United States organization, the website is a great resource for teachers as it offers: articles on social justice, pictures and comments from volunteers, video’s, types of programs you could implement in your own schools, and links including an interactive site for kids. It is a great way for students to be aware of social justice issues around the world.--Lidia Guadagnolo