Volunteers of Toronto

Stories of the people who make Toronto great.

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“I think it’s important to appreciate other people's difficulties in living their lives to the fullest. At the Aphasia Institute, every success, big or small, is celebrated because this kind of encouragement helps people move forward.”

Jane Thorson is celebrating 30+ years as a volunteer serving the clients at the Aphasia Institute where she co-facilitates a conversation group and supports their 12-week Introductory Program for new clients.

Jane is also a recipient of a 2016 #LegacyAwardTO

Photo by Salathiel & Wesser

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(3/3) “In this paperless day and age, people are always surprised to find out that someone still knows how to bind books and they are happy to find that we're still around. I've helped some people keep treasured family keepsakes, like bibles and cookbooks, in good condition to pass along to the next generation of their families.”

Andy Schoenhofer has been volunteering with the Repair Café Toronto for about four years where he offers his bookbinding skills.

Photos by Salathiel and Wesser

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(2/3) “During my first time volunteering at an event, someone brought in a Kalimba, an African percussion instrument that has metal tines that you pluck to play a melody, with a missing tine. A few of us gathered around to figure out what we could do. I'm a musician too, and remembered they were traditionally made from pieces of scavenged fence wire. Since we were in a library in Toronto, I suggested using a coat hanger. One of the other volunteers hammered it flat and shaped it and he and I tuned to fit the instrument's harmonies. The client left with a smile and song!”

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(1/3) “When I heard about the Repair Cafe movement from a friend, I really liked the idea of it and wanted do to something to take part. They had a great message, to emphasize the REUSE part of the “reduce, reuse and recycle” slogan. I always believed that reuse and reduce were the more important actions, and here was a chance for me to contribute to that, hone my skills, and talk to people about it at the same time.”

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“I’d been a volunteer driver for about 24 years. I’d go in every morning for 2 or 3 hours to pick up clothing, furniture and food and deliver them to whoever needed it, usually people starting out in their first home. I learned there are a lot of people out there willing to help the homeless. I think if more people would be willing to help each other there would be less violence and we would have a better city.”

Charles Grimbleby volunteered for the Toronto Christian Resource Centre for over 20 years. In his time there, his role varied from collecting food, clothing and furniture to helping people move into new housing, and rushing important documents and applications to City Hall.

Photo by Salathiel and Wesser

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(3/3) “When the patients thank me for doing something as simple as helping bring them back and forth to their appointments it makes me truly happy.”

Stephanie Monaco has been a volunteer at Runnymede Healthcare Centre since 2016 where she assists the Activation Therapy department in various programs and activities.

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(2/3) “This work has helped me to become a better person. I love taking care of patients, talking with them and listening to them as they go through their rehabilitation process.”

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(1/3) “I decided to volunteer at the Runnymede Healthcare Centre to help patients get back on their feet by assisting them with their physiotherapy exercises.”

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“I worked really hard on time management so that I could work, volunteer, and be a full time student all throughout my undergrad. Sometimes having up to 3 jobs including school and student council. I have had people come up to me years after I’ve worked with them to tell me that I have been their mentor and that they looked up to me. It feels really special to be that for someone else.”

Susana Goncalves is a volunteer with VIBE Arts where she assists with planning and coordinating events to promote and celebrate children’s art making with community groups.

Photo by The Jax Effect

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(2/3) “I saw a need for gay men to play a positive role in helping our community and came to recognize the importance of what they supplied - subsidized housing for those suffering from AIDS. Through outreach programs, I met, talked, and assisted many of their clients helping them reach more people in need.”

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(1/3) “I had randomly met the Volunteer Coordinator for Fife House and learned about their aims and purpose. It just so happened, at the time, they were entering a booth at Canada Blooms using gardening as an additional aid to their clients. I volunteered to design and build the booth and it ended up winning top prize out of all non-profit booths at the event!”

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(3/3) “Although I had many wonderful staff members working with me throughout my career, I always said that no one works harder than a volunteer.”

Ellen Curtis has been volunteering for 30 years. She began volunteering at a skating rink when her daughter practiced figure skating. Today, she is proud to be part of the volunteer community at Young People’s Theatre where she spearheaded the archival team in preparation for the theatre’s 50th anniversary. 

Photos by Salathiel and Wesser 

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(2/3) “Even though I always worked full-time and found my career very satisfying, volunteer work has been very important to me and it was enthusiastically supported by my family. The work with YPT has been personally satisfying because it has allowed me to be a theatre insider. It truly gave me insights I hadn't known before.”

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“My volunteer work has made me the person I never thought I could be. Now I care about every aspect of my life and my community.”

Jaime Yumiseva volunteered as a Math tutor both for the Working Women’s Centre and Frontier College. He also supported Toronto Housing Connections by volunteering in their yearly tax preparation clinic.

Photo by Kirk Images

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(3/3) “I couldn’t imagine volunteering this long if I did not truly love doing this, especially mingling with the wonderful clients in the Sunflower Club. It is very heartening to see their smiles of recognition as I enter the room.”

Jan Whyte has been volunteering with St. Paul’s L’Amoreaux Centre for 25 years, and is currently a volunteer for their Sunflower Club program for seniors with special needs.

Photos by Salathiel Wesser

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(2/3) “One time, I cheerfully waved goodbye to a client on his way home on Wheel Trans forgetting that I had sent him off in one of our own chairs!”

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(1/3) “I started volunteering after receiving a flyer in the mail saying people were needed. I was a Friendly Visitor for 13 years until a staff member suggested I volunteer in one of their day programs, the Sunflower Club, a program for seniors with special needs. I have remained in that position ever since.”