Are You Interested in Volunteering with Us?
At ABC Head Start Society, volunteers play an important role in supporting children, families and our community. Our volunteers come from different backgrounds, ages and cultures, bringing their unique skills, experiences and perspectives to ABC Head Start. Whether you're interested in supporting children in the classroom, helping at community events, sharing your language and love of storytelling, gaining experience, or simply giving back, there's a place for you to get involved.
We're proud of the time, energy and enthusiasm our volunteers bring to ABC Head Start. Through their involvement in our classrooms, events and other initiatives, volunteers provide meaningful support to our children, families and programs. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps strengthen our community.
Volunteer Opportunities
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Classroom Support Volunteers work alongside teachers and Educational Assistants to help create a welcoming, engaging and supportive classroom environment. Volunteers may read, play and create with children, assist with planned activities, help during transitions and snack time, support outdoor play, prepare classroom materials, and help keep the classroom organized.
Volunteers support children under the direction and supervision of ABC Head Start staff. They are not responsible for supervising, assessing, teaching or managing children’s behaviour, are not counted as part of the required staff-to-child ratio, and will not be left alone with children. If a concern or challenging situation comes up, volunteers are asked to connect with a teacher or Educational Assistant for support.
Time commitment: Shift times are flexible and can be up to 3 hours, based on volunteer availability and classroom needs.
Screening requirements: Applicants moving forward with a Classroom Support placement are required to complete a Police Information Check and Vulnerable Sector Check. Successful applicants will also be required to complete an Intervention Record Check.
No previous classroom experience is required. Orientation, training and support are provided.
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Community & Events Volunteers help ABC Head Start connect with the community and bring events to life. Depending on the opportunity, volunteers may welcome guests, support fundraisers and appreciation events, represent ABC Head Start at community activities, assist with setup and takedown, or lend a hand behind the scenes preparing materials and supplies.
Volunteers work alongside ABC Head Start staff and receive the information and guidance needed for each opportunity. This is a supporting role, so volunteers help prepare for and carry out events rather than being responsible for event planning or coordination.
Time commitment: Flexible and event-based. Opportunities are available throughout the year based on ABC Head Start's needs, and volunteers can choose opportunities that work with their interests and availability.
No previous event or promotional experience is required. Training, information and support are provided.
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Use language and storytelling skills to help make children's stories more accessible to the diverse children and families served by ABC Head Start.
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Looking for another way to make an impact? Consider joining ABC Head Start's Board of Directors. For more information, visit our Board of Directors page.
Why Volunteer with ABC Head Start?
Make a Difference
Play a meaningful role in supporting children, families and the ABC Head Start community.
Gain Valuable Experience
Build skills, gain hands-on experience and learn alongside ABC Head Start staff in a supportive environment.
Build Connections
Meet new people, connect with your community and be part of a team working together to support children and families.
Find an Opportunity That Fits
Whether you're looking for an ongoing commitment, occasional event opportunities or a flexible project, there are different ways to get involved.
Questions? We're Here to Help
We want you to feel confident before you apply. Find answers to common questions about volunteer opportunities, requirements, scheduling and getting started.
Ready to Get Involved?
Complete the volunteer application below and let us know how you'd like to get involved. Applicants whose interests, availability and experience align with our current volunteer opportunities will be contacted about next steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need previous volunteer experience?
No. Previous experience can be helpful for some roles, but it isn't required. ABC Head Start provides volunteers with the guidance and support they need to get started.
How much time do I need to commit?
The commitment depends on the volunteer opportunity. Classroom volunteers are ideally available for approximately three hours per shift, while Community & Events and Multilingual Readers opportunities may be more flexible or project-based.
Do I need to provide references?
Yes. Applicants will be asked to provide two references as part of the volunteer application process.
Will I receive training?
Yes. Volunteers receive information, orientation and guidance appropriate to their role before getting started.
Can I choose where or how I volunteer?
Applicants can indicate their interests, availability and preferred volunteer opportunities when applying. Placements will depend on current needs and available opportunities.
What happens after I submit my application?
Applications will be reviewed by ABC Head Start. Suitable applicants will be contacted about next steps, which may include an interview, references, required screening, orientation and placement.
Can I volunteer at more than one ABC Head Start location?
Yes. ABC Head Start has four campus locations: West, North, Mill Woods and Milbourne. Volunteers may have the opportunity to volunteer at more than one campus based on their availability and the needs of each location.
Can groups or workplaces volunteer together? Yes. ABC Head Start can provide unique opportunities for workplaces and community groups to get involved. Group opportunities are typically focused on supporting special events and may vary throughout the year.
Do I need a Police Information Check or other screening? Yes. Screening requirements depend on the volunteer role. Classroom Support volunteers are required to complete a Police Information Check with a Vulnerable Sector Check before volunteering at one of our campuses. They will also be required to complete an Intervention Record Check after they begin volunteering.Community & Events volunteers are required to complete a standard Police Information Check before volunteering.
Are there evening or weekend volunteer opportunities?
Yes. Evening and weekend opportunities may be available for volunteers supporting special events. Classroom volunteer opportunities take place during regular program hours and are not available on evenings or weekends.
Can I volunteer from home? At this time, ABC Head Start does not offer volunteer opportunities that can be completed from home. Our current volunteer opportunities take place in person at our campuses or at community events.
How old do I need to be to volunteer? Volunteers working directly with children or supporting our classrooms must be 18 years of age or older. Volunteers under 18 can still get involved by supporting community events or administrative tasks at our campuses.
Can I volunteer if I'm a student?
Yes. Volunteer opportunities can be a great way for students to gain experience working with children and families.
What volunteer opportunities are available?
ABC Head Start offers several ways to get involved, including Classroom Support, Community & Events, and Multilingual Readers Project opportunities. Availability may vary throughout the year.
Can I volunteer for just one event?
Yes! We offer flexible, event-based volunteer opportunities throughout the year. If you’re not able to make an ongoing commitment, you’re welcome to get involved by supporting a single event that works with your availability.