Volunteer
with us
To end chronic homelessness in Toronto, we need your help.
Looking to roll up your sleeves and make a direct impact in your city?
Individuals, schools, faith communities, and other groups are invited to join Homes First in uplifting people facing homelessness through meaningful volunteer engagement.
Why Volunteer with Homes First?
Volunteers are the backbone of Homes First, helping bring dignity, support, and connection to over 2,500+ residents across Toronto. Whether you’re looking to share a skill, lead a drive, or simply be present in someone’s day, your efforts help build a stronger, more caring community.
Individual Volunteers – On-Site & Off-Site
Our individual opportunities are flexible, skill-based, and deeply rewarding.
On-Site Opportunities (held at our housing sites or community spaces):
- Licensed Haircuts — Offer professional grooming and a confidence boost.
- Yoga / Chair Yoga — Lead accessible wellness classes that support both physical and mental health.
- Art Classes — Facilitate creative expression and community connection through art-making.
- Legal Supports — Provide guidance and support (in partnership with legal professionals) to help residents understand their rights and navigate systems.
Register your interest in being a volunteer as an individual by clicking the link here.
Group Volunteers – On-Site & Off-Site
On-Site (at Homes First locations):
- Community clean up: Give back to the neighborhoods where our sites are located. Volunteers will help clean up sidewalks and green spaces near our shelter communities.
Off-Site / In-Office Hosting:
Your group can plan and run collection drives or kit-building events right in your own space. Homes First can kick things off with a short virtual presentation to inspire your group and explain how the collected items support our residents.
Our sessions are ideal for groups seeking hands-on engagement and personal connections:
- Non-Perishable Food Hampers – Assemble and package staple food hampers for our residents.
- Kits for a Cause – Gather supplies into themed kits to address a range of resident needs with compassion.
- Home Starter Kit Drive – Compile essential household items to help new tenants settle in.
Interested in volunteering as a group? We’d love to hear from you. Fill out the form and we’ll get back to you.
MEET Olivia
A valued volunteer who for six months made a significant impact at Meegwetch Place, one of our non-24 hour supportive housing sites. During her time with us, Olivia was instrumental in greatly enriching the lives of our residents: she led arts workshops and facilitated computer literacy workshops for seniors under our Seniors-led Opportunities for Valuable Engagement (Seniors LOVE) social enrichment initiative enabled by the awarding of funds from the federal government’s New Horizons for Seniors Program.