
Volunteer with us!
We have a wide variety of volunteer opportunities for students, young adults, working adults, and retirees. Learn about how you can make a difference.
More than 400 volunteers form the core of Circle of Care. From delivering groceries and Meals on Wheels food, to friendly visits and phone calls with isolated older adults to accompanying them on a way to an appointment and providing caregiver relief to someone with a life limiting illness, our volunteers are kind, compassionate, and have a strong desire to help older adults in our community live happier and healthier in their own homes, where most of them want to be. Learn more about the many flexible volunteer opportunities at Circle of Care and become a volunteer today!
In adopting the Canadian Code for Volunteer Involvement, Circle of Care commits to value and support the contribution of volunteers through respectful, meaningful and inclusive engagement.



Ways to Volunteer
Click on the program names below to learn more about our many opportunities to help make a difference in someone’s life.
- Meals on Wheels Volunteer Drivers
- Grocery Pickup/Shopping
- Corporate Volunteering
- Phone Pals
- Russian-Speaking Volunteer Opportunities
- Complementary Therapies for Hospice Clients
- Friendly Visitors
- Hospice Volunteers
- Adult Day Program Volunteers
- Medical Assistance Companions
- Administrative Assistants - PROGRAM ON HOLD
- Volunteers for Social Activities and Groups
- Musicians
- Gardeners
- Other
Meals on Wheels Volunteer Drivers
Volunteer on your own or with a friend and help deliver meals in our community.
Brighten someone’s day by bringing them a meal, showing concern for their well being, having a friendly chat and making sure that all is well.
Create your own delivery schedule, shifts are available Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.
Mileage is reimbursed while on route.
Grocery Pickup/Shopping
Many of our clients are elderly and frail; this prohibits them from grocery shopping. We are in need of volunteers who can pick up grocery orders once a week after the client places the order with a local store. After picking up the order, you will deliver it to the client’s home and, if needed, assist them with putting the food away. This helps ensure older adults have food in their homes.
Corporate Volunteering
At Circle of Care, employee groups can spend the morning with us delivering meals to older adults in the community. We deliver Monday to Friday from 9am to noon. Our Meals on Wheels program is dependent upon 180 volunteers who deliver 200,000 meals annually. Delivering meals is more than just ensuring an older adult has food for the day, it also provides a security check to ensure they are safe and in good health. This is a great team building exercise for employee groups.
“This was a very rewarding experience and my team had an amazing time! I was very impressed by the people, the facility and the entire Circle of Care organization. The amount of food you provide in a year is astounding. It was also amazing to see how far the program reaches!” – Anne-marie, Maple Leaf Foods
Phone Pals
Do you enjoy talking on the phone? Have good communication skills? Phone Pal Volunteers provide regular weekly or daily telephone calls to isolated older adults who have few connections to family members and/or friends. Calls can be made in the comfort of your own home, work or even from Circle of Care. Volunteers often become a telephone friend; a resource and confidante to the client. The ability to speak other languages is not necessary but an asset.
Russian-Speaking Phone Pal
Are you fluent in both Russian and English? Do you enjoy talking on the phone? Have good communication skills? Phone Pal Volunteers provide regular weekly or daily telephone calls to isolated older adults who have few connections to family members and/or friends. Calls can be made in the comfort of your own home, work or even from Circle of Care. Volunteers often become a telephone friend; a resource and confidante to the client.
Russian-Speaking Friendly Visitor
Are you fluent in both Russian and English? If you or work in North York and have a minimum of 1-2 hours a week to spare, you can make a huge difference with a lonely older adult seeking companionship by visiting him or her in their own home. Clients and volunteers are matched with someone of similar interests and location is prioritized based on your requirements. If you live or work in the downtown area, our Sinai Friendly Visiting may be another option for you.
Complementary Therapies for Hospice Clients
We are looking for professionals in Registered Massage Therapy, Reiki, Healing Touch, Therapeutic Touch, Reflexology, Music or Expressive Arts Therapy, Yoga, or Pet Therapy to join our Hospice team and share your skills with our clients.
Friendly Visitors
If you or work in North York and have a minimum of 1-2 hours a week to spare, you can make a huge difference with a lonely older adult seeking companionship by visiting him or her in their own home! Clients and volunteers are matched with someone of similar interests and location is prioritized based on your requirements. Languages such as Hebrew, Yiddish, Russian and Hungarian are helpful.
If you live or work in the downtown area, our Sinai Friendly Visiting may be another option for you.
Hospice Volunteers
Bring comfort and support to a person facing a life threatening illness. Hospice volunteers offer many specialized services that include companionship, emotional support, and practical assistance to our clients and short-term relief to client families and caregivers. Hospice volunteers are specially trained (mandatory 30 hr training) and are asked to commit to 2-4 hours per week. Training is free and is offered three times a year: winter, spring and fall.
Adult Day Program Volunteers
Do you have a special interest in working with older adults who have Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and other age-related cognitive impairment? Volunteers are needed to provide social, recreational and educational assistance to programs located at the Adult Day Program, 9600 Bathurst Street, Unit 4. Hours are 8:30 – 3:30 Monday – Friday or Tues- Wed until 6pm. A 2 hour commitment either in am or pm is required. This is an opportunity to work alongside our staff and spend time with a wonderful group of older adults.
Medical Assistance Companions
Volunteers are needed to escort older adults or people with disabilities, who are unable to leave their residence on their own to go to medical appointments. Volunteers accompany clients to their appointment via taxi, TTC, Wheel Trans or iRide. They then ensure the client returns home safely prior to leaving. Training is provided.
Administrative Assistants – PROGRAM ON HOLD
Volunteers are needed to provide support once a week between 8:30 to 4:30 to assist with a variety of office tasks: mailings, computer work, filing, putting together supply orders and welcome packages as well as a number of other administrative duties. This is a great opportunity for an individual looking to gain experience in administration or for newly retired individuals who want to keep busy and give back using their office skills.
Musicians
Share your musical talents and put a smile on an older adult’s face. We are looking for musicians to give their time once a month at one of our many programs.
Volunteer Gardeners
Circle of Care is piloting a small program to help bring fresh produce to our clients. We invite anyone interested to plant an extra row or a few plants in their home garden and donate the produce to Circle of Care once it has grown. The donated vegetables and fruits will be given to Circle of Care clients, bringing fresh produce to older adults in the community.
If interested, contact us via phone or email us at 416-635-2860 x375, volunteer@circleofcare.com.
Other Volunteer Opportunities
Do you have a special talent and idea on how you can volunteer with us? Give us a call at 416-635-2860 x375. We would love to discuss your idea further.
Words from the Heart
Hear from a few of our volunteers about why they volunteer with Circle of Care.



“I found the bereavement work very meaningful, you meet wonderful people, and really make a difference – not only in their lives, but in our lives too.”
– Lana, Bereavement and Hospice Volunteer
“Some people wouldn’t eat if we didn’t come. And in some cases I think the people that go to the door are the only visitors they might get. It’s a light in their day when nothing else might happen. It is emotional when you see people who really need you.”
– Elaine, Volunteer
“Get involved. It’s an hour of your day – once a week, twice a week. Whatever time you have. It’s a good sense of accomplishment and I recommend it to anyone who’s looking to give back to the community and connect with individuals.”
– Mike, Meals on Wheels Volunteer