Volunteer with JIAS
The dedication of our volunteers is one of our greatest strengths.
The Power of Welcome
From the time that JIAS was founded in 1922, volunteers have played a central role in welcoming the newcomers we support. JIAS is proud to provide essential programs and services that address the settlement challenges of newcomers to Canada. But we know that "resettlement" and "belonging" are two very different things.
True welcome doesn’t happen in an office, it happens in our community.
It happens when someone explains how the local library works, invites a newcomer to share a holiday meal, or when volunteers help them practice conversational English to gain confidence as they navigate life in a new country.
JIAS volunteers are more than helpers; they are the bridge between a new arrival and the fabric of Canadian life. By choosing to connect, our volunteers show newcomers what it truly means to be part of a community.
Volunteer Support
When you volunteer with JIAS, you become part of a supportive community.
Our Volunteer Coordinators provide orientation, training, and ongoing guidance to help ensure a meaningful experience for both volunteers and newcomers. Volunteers also have opportunities to connect with one another, share experiences, exchange ideas, and learn best practices.
Many volunteers build lasting relationships with the individuals and families they support, creating friendships that extend well beyond a volunteer placement. Whether you have a few hours each month or are looking for a longer-term commitment, there are many ways to get involved.
English Language Support
Help newcomers build confidence in their English through one-on-one conversational support or group programs. By practicing everyday communication skills, you'll help participants feel more comfortable navigating life in Canada.
Professional mentoring
Support newcomers as they rebuild their professional networks, strengthen their job search skills, and prepare to enter the Canadian workforce. Opportunities are available in both one-on-one and group settings.
Community Connections
Moving to a new country often means leaving behind family, friends and community. Connect with a newcomer and help cultivate a sense of belonging.
Wraparound support
Join a group of volunteers working together to support a vulnerable newcomer or refugee. Help newcomers navigate new surroundings and systems by providing a built-in network of support. Each volunteer contributes as part of a coordinated, wraparound effort.
Refugee Sponsorship
As a Sponsorship Agreement Holder, JIAS works with community groups to privately sponsor refugees coming to Canada. Sponsorship involves both a financial commitment and a one-year volunteer commitment upon the newcomer’s arrival in Canada.
To learn more, please contact refugee@jiastoronto.org.
Special event support
Volunteer at newcomer programs and community events throughout the year. Opportunities may include event setup, registration, childcare, language interpretation, and other event support.
Specialized Skills
Do you have a professional skill or specialized expertise you'd like to offer pro bono? We'd love to hear from you. Connect with a JIAS Volunteer Coordinator to explore how your experience can make a meaningful difference.
JIAS Response Team
Join our WhatsApp volunteer network and receive notifications about one-time or urgent requests from JIAS clients. This flexible opportunity allows you to help when your schedule permits.
"I started volunteering with JIAS as a way to give back and support newcomers—just as others supported me when I first arrived in Canada. Volunteering gives me the chance to connect with new people, share practical advice, and offer recommendations and resources that can help make their transition a little easier. It’s especially meaningful to me because I know firsthand how valuable guidance and a friendly face can be during those early steps in a new country."
"I volunteer with JIAS as a fulfilling way of paying it forward by welcoming the stranger. Both sets of my grandparents came to Canada from Eastern Europe before World War 1 and I am keenly aware of my maternal grandparents’ resettlement story. This has given me lifelong empathy for the hardships faced by refugees and other newcomers, and a great awareness of what so many waves of immigrants have contributed to Canada from generation to generation.
Based on my years of experience assisting refugees and other newcomers from various countries, JIAS has impressed me as a highly professional and caring resettlement agency that is best in class, and they make the volunteer experience easy and rewarding. Some that I have assisted have become friends, and it is very gratifying to see them seize opportunities, succeed, and go on to pay it forward by assisting others at the first opportunity."