Volunteer Opportunities

Do you enjoy working with children? Do you have a special talent and time to share? Are you looking to enhance your resume, collect community hours or just looking for an opportunity to give back to the community?

At Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions (SMFC) volunteers play an important role in the services that we provide. Their contribution is invaluable and provides a vital link between the SMFC and the community.

By volunteering at SMFC you will meet a variety of people including other volunteers, staff, foster caregivers, and the children and families we serve. We offer a wide array of volunteer opportunities to individuals of all ages and stages from serving on our Board of Directors to being a volunteer driver…all of which bring the satisfaction of knowing that you’ve helped a child and his or her family.

As part of the team we require that all volunteers have a police records check, participate in our mandatory volunteer training program and make a 12 month commitment to volunteering.

We also welcome high school students who are completing their 40 hours of community volunteering.

View Current Openings

Why are volunteers important to SMFC

Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions (SMFC) could not reach the children and families who need our help without the efforts of our volunteers. Volunteers play an important role in the services that we provide. Their contribution is invaluable and provides a vital link between SMFC and the community. Our volunteers make a difference in the lives of children, youth and families.

Volunteer Roles

Volunteer Drivers

Our volunteer drivers use their own vehicles to provide an invaluable service by assisting staff and foster families with the transportation needs of children in the care of SMFC. Volunteer drivers transport children and sometimes their families to various appointments such as access visits, medical appointments and school throughout Muskoka and the Simcoe County region at the request of the Agency. Punctuality and reliability are a necessity for this position. Our drivers are compensated at .56¢/km.

Volunteer Mentors

Mentors are matched with a child who need extra support and encouragement and benefit from regular one-to-one time. Volunteers take the child out of their home environment and involve them in a community activity/event. There may be occasions when the child and volunteer work on a project in the child’s home. Volunteers may need to transport the child. This position requires the volunteer to spend 2-3 hours weekly with the child/youth.

Volunteer Parent-Assists

Parent Assist Volunteers are partnered with a parent/guardian to provide on-going weekly support and guidance, emotional support and practical skills (i.e. budgeting, cooking, household organization). This position requires the volunteer to spend 2-3 hours weekly with the parent/guardian.

Volunteer Tutors/Homework Assistance

Volunteer Tutors provide children in our care assistance with their homework. Volunteers can provide face-to-face support in the child’s home or they can assist in a virtual capacity. The volunteer is required to spend 1-2 hours weekly with the child/youth.

Benefits of Volunteering

Opportunities to learn new skills
Sense of satisfaction
Feeling of contributing to the lives of children, youth and their families in our community
Opportunities to meet new people
Volunteer opportunities may lead to employment

How to apply

Click here to complete the Volunteer Application Form

Specific Volunteer Opportunities

Holiday Program

Do you enjoy the holidays and want to share it? Do you want to give to others this year, but financially can’t? Are you looking for an opportunity to give back to the community?

Come join us at Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions (SMFC) to volunteer for the Holiday Program. Your contribution is invaluable and provides a vital link between SMFC and the community. We are looking for volunteers for the month of December, during business hours (Mon-Fri; 8:30am-4:30pm). You can help out in one of our Branches for the delivery of donations on Dec 7 & 8. You can help out at our Toy Depot in Barrie to sort toys, create packages/hampers, help deliver items, help shopping, etc.

This will all be done with strict COVID protocols including wearing face coverings, limiting the number of people and space indoors, and thorough sanitation.

Please email us at: Holiday@familyconnexions.ca or call: 705-726-6587 x.2226 or Toll Free: 1-800-481-4236 x.2226

Volunteer Recognition

While we are thankful and celebrate our volunteers all year long, National Volunteer Week is an additional reason to recognize the powerful work from all of our volunteers and those who are making an impact for our organization.

This year, we celebrated our volunteers with a luncheon to recognize their essential contributions to our agency. Games, recognition certificates, lunch and prizes were only a small token of appreciation for everything they do for the children and youth we serve.

Volunteer Testimonies

We would like to thank you for hosting a Volunteer Luncheon for volunteers in honour of National Volunteer Week (April 16-22, 2023). Thank you to the members of the volunteer team, the administrative team, the director and everyone that contributed to the success of this event. We thank you for the certificate of recognition and the prizes awarded that afternoon during which we were invited to share a luncheon in an Hawaiian attire but especially for creating a collaborative well-being atmosphere and making us feel welcome.

— Saveria – Volunteer since 2019

Volunteers Janet, Katie and Vicky spent numerous hours preparing crafts and cut outs for the Family Support Group Access and or parenting time for families. FSW’s have used the prepared crafts for families who would like to do a craft together but aren’t sure how to prepare. One of the FSW’s said it was nice to come to the Barrie office and be able to go to the storage unit and find a craft already prepared.

— Val – SMFC Child Worker

The Muskoka, and sometimes other area drivers, have done a phenomenal job in helping my youth to get to school this year. Their support has meant that the important connections that she has at her home school with the school staff and her friends have been maintained while her foster placement has been in a different town. This has had a significant positive impact on her overall wellbeing. My youth has always spoken positively of her drivers and when a 15 year old tells you they enjoy their early morning, almost an hour drive to school, you know those drivers are special! You help to bring a little sunshine to their days. And as a worker, it is a very reassuring thing to know that a youth is being so well served by folks whose dedication truly shows. Thanks for all you do for our youth!

— Mary – SMFC Child Worker

Emma is my volunteer and has been for a while now. Emma is an awesome person, she has an amazing uplifting personality and very friendly. I literally talk to her about everything when she comes over to help and its very nice to have a conversation with another adult and she never make me feel bad if my place isn’t in the best when she comes. She helps me get my place cleaned and organized. She’s awesome with my son, he loves seeing her when she’s here and likes to be silly and try to make a mess as she’s putting stuff away and I hope that even after she’s no longer coming to help me, that I will still keep in contact with her to see how she’s doing.

— SMFC Client

Aunt says that the child really enjoys and looks forward to his time with Chris (tutor) every week. The child stays focused and is very engaged for the entire hour. She has noticed an improvement in his spelling and reading since tutoring began.

— SMFC Client

I just wanted to share an expression of Gratitude for volunteer Emma who worked with one of my kinship providers in 2022. When my client was feeling overwhelmed following several challenging months, Emma was eager and willing to help in any way she could. Emma did a wonderful job helping my client organize and clean the home which was a big challenge for my client who had been trying to keep up with the children in the home. My client expressed gratitude for Emma’s assistance and was thankful for having an opportunity to work with her. Emma had a positive relationship with my client and they were able to tackle an overwhelming task putting my client in a better situation to manage. Because of Emma’s assistance, we were able to assist an overwhelmed provider and sustain a placement for a child for several more months. I wanted to express appreciation for her help! Thank you

— Catherine – Child Worker

Charlotte and Henry are great drivers. I always have a great time with them they drive very safely and they’re very respectful and they always make sure if I’m hungry or uncomfortable.

— SMFC Client

I would like to give a shout out of appreciation to volunteer driver Mike T. Mike has been a consistent and reliable driver on a very complex case, always having a smile on his face. Mike goes above and beyond to make sure the child is happy and does not rush good-byes with parents. Mike is a valued member of this team and I will miss our weekly interactions when I go off on maternity leave. Thank you for all that you do Mike!

— Alex – SMFC Child Worker

What I like most about volunteering with SMFC is that I feel that my work is truly valued throughout the agency. I feel supported by the people I work with and I feel welcomed by everyone I interact with. I value how everyone works well with each other. I feel like my own needs are taken into account as well and this helps me a great deal with being the best I can be for the families I help.

— Chris – Volunteer Tutor

I must say it has been a blessing to be a volunteer driver for the SMFC. It has opened my eyes and my heart much wider and has made me appreciate all that I have. It has been a great experience. I have had so many awesome kids come into my life and so thankful for that.

— Linda – Volunteer Driver

I love being a volunteer! After retiring from my career working with children, I’ve really enjoyed sharing my wisdom and experience, it’s very rewarding to help people and I get to play with babies! It always adds excitement to my week.

— Cheryl – Volunteer Parent Assist

I have volunteered with Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions for several years as a driver. I like the flexibility and I feel good that I am helping families in my community.

The feeling of helping and being involved is a good feeling.

— Katie – Volunteer Driver

I very much enjoy helping the children get to where the need to be. Having the time during the drive to be a good listener and offering a little kindness and support is very rewarding.

— Eugene – Volunteer Driver

I look forward to the moments I spend with the kids. They brighten my day with their smiles and stories. My hope, is that I can do the same for them.

— Sabrina – Volunteer Driver

I am thankful to my daughter Tamara for introducing me to this volunteer position driving for Family Connexions. It gives me a sense of fulfilment by being part of helping families in need to connect. I enjoy doing my best to make the children feel safe and comfortable by talking and making the drive as entertaining as possible.

— Mike – Volunteer Driver

I love being a part of such a wonderful community at SMFC. Giving out a helping hand fills my heart with joy and I’m grateful to be doing this. Thank you SMFC!

— Natalia – Volunteer Parent Assist

Current Opportunities

Volunteer Drivers

If you are interested in applying, contact JOANNE OBLIN, Coordinator of Volunteer and Family Contact Services – Family Support Team at Joanne.Oblin@familyconnexions.ca or contact our general line at (705)726-6587

Volunteer Mentors

Volunteer Parent-Assists

Volunteer Tutors/Homework Assistance