Every graduating student must complete a minimum of 40 community hours, as part of the requirements for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). The purpose of the community involvement requirement is to encourage students to develop awareness and understanding of civic responsibility, and the contributions they can make in supporting and strengthening their community.
The Ministry of Education requires all secondary school students to complete a minimum of 40 hours of community involvement activities a part of the requirements for an OSSD. Students must submit their documentation for 40 hours of community involvement to their Guidance Counsellor so that it can be validated and recorded.
While 40 hours is the required minimum, we recognize that many students choose to go above and beyond this requirement. These additional hours not only reflect a student’s commitment to their community but can also support applications for scholarships/awards, post-secondary opportunities, and job references. To help students keep track of hours completed beyond the 40-hour minimum, they may choose to record them in their Individual Pathways Plan (IPP) Portfolio in their myBlueprint account. This will ensure they have a comprehensive record of their community involvement for future use. myBlueprint provides a sample portfolio and portfolio checklist.
myBlueprint: Portfolio Checklist
myBlueprint: Portfolio Exemplar
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our Student Services team.
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Volunteer opportunities can be found in local museums, art galleries, humane society, food banks, public library, nursing homes, hospitals and more. See specific volunteer opportunities below with more being added throughout the school year.
Process for Beginning and Completing your hours
Prior to beginning any Community Involvement Activity, students must complete the top part of the Community Involvement Activity Form and bring this to their guidance counsellor for pre-approval. All proposed activities MUST BE pre-approved by your counsellor prior to starting your volunteering. Once approved, you may begin your community involvement. When your hours are completed you will fill out the remaining portion of the community involvement activity form and submit to student services.
Please contact our school office directly if you have questions about community services hours and which activities are eligible and accepted. Community Involvement Activity Form
Current Volunteer Opportunities
City of Burlington – Volunteer Program
The City of Burlington has many volunteering opportunities, if interested, click on the link volunteer@burlington.ca and follow the steps to complete the application for some of these.
Volunteer opportunities listed on the City of Burlington site include: Aquatic Volunteers, Canada Day, Community Panel, Camp & Youth Program, Student Theatre Program, Skating Program, Food for Feedback and much more.
If you have any questions about volunteering with the City, please contact them by phone at 905-335-7777, ext. 7978 or by email.
Volunteer Connector (formerly Volunteer Halton)
Volunteer Halton is now a VolunteerConnector partner. Users are required to set up an account, so ensure that you state that that is it not affiliated with HCDSB. Students seeking volunteer opportunities can be directed to VolunteerConnector https://www.volunteerconnector.org/login
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Art Gallery of Burlington
Help create a fun and educational environment for the Art Gallery of Burlington’s PA Day, Winter Break and March Break Children’s Camps. To apply, email your expression of interest to volunteer @agb.life
Art Gallery of Burlington – volunteer
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Volunteer Ambassador
Help promote volunteer opportunities in Halton Region.
For more information on this volunteering opportunity, open attached and scan the barcode.
The Village at Tansley Woods
Looking for students to potentially join their volunteering team at Tansley Woods Retirement home. If interested in this opportunity please contact Sharon Montgomery (Volunteer Coordinator) @ (905) 975-0440 or email Tansley.volunteers@schlegelvillages.com
Brant Hills Community Centre
Darla Stevens is the VP for a not-for-profit organization that runs youth and adult sports programs out of Brant Hills Community Centre. We have a few openings in our youth programs which could help a student complete their volunteer hours. We are also listed on Volunteer Halton. If you have any additional questions, you can call me directly at 905-516-2588.
Burlington Food Bank
We have special events and fundraising opportunities that are frequently held on evenings and weekends. Please let us know about your interest in volunteering at an event by contacting our Volunteer Coordinator by email. You will be sent email notifications when volunteers are required for upcoming events.
For more information, visit their website.
Food for Life
Are you looking for a rewarding and meaningful volunteer experience that is as flexible and interesting as you are?
Food for Life volunteers drive, collect, pack, coordinate, weigh, lift, carry, load, deliver, fundraise, network, direct and help with special events and outreach.
If you have as little as an hour a week to share or if you are looking to take a more engaged or leadership role in helping neighbours struggling with hunger please connect with us.
Halton Food for Thought
If interested in signing up, scroll down to the bottom of the website to volunteer.
Cancer Kids First
Cancer Kids First depends on its many volunteers to fulfill our mission. Without them, we wouldn’t have been able to help all the patients we have helped already! To join our dedicated community of volunteers, click here.
https://www.cancerkidsfirst.org/volunteer
Habitat for Humanity
Volunteer in 30 minutes of less! There are lots of ways that you can volunteer with us. Visit habitathm.ca today. For more information, call 905-637-4446 ext 226
Global Medic
GlobalMedic is a volunteer driven agency. Our volunteers give their time and expertise to ensure that every dollar donated provides as much aid as possible.
https://globalmedic.ca/volunteer/
Burlington Museums
Are you a high school student looking to earn your 40 community service hours? Join the education team at Museums of Burlington to help deliver our children’s programs for kids aged 5-12.
We have various opportunities available during P.A. Days, Summer Camp, March Break, Christmas Holiday Camp and running children’s activities at Special Events at both Ireland House Museum and Joseph Brant Museum. Training will be provided.
More information can be found at https://museumsofburlington.ca/support/volunteer/
Burlington Public Library
Summer volunteer opportunities available: Maker Buddies Volunteers, Children Program Assistant volunteers, Summer Reading Club Volunteers. Contact Jodi Cabral (905) 639-3611 ext. 1154 or Email cabralj@bpl.on.ca
Big Brothers Big Sisters Homework Club
While time commitments vary by program type, we typically require a minimum voluntary investment of two hours per week.
We understand that unforeseen life changes happen; however, please consider if you are fully able to commit for the timeframe associated with your desired program. We ask you to consider this as early match closure can be harmful to a young person.
For registration information, please click on the link.
Activity Program Volunteer at Creek Way Village Long Term Care Home
Assist staff and residents with programs (i.e Bingo, Crafts, Bowling). Assist staff to prepare space for program. Assist residents by helping them to and from program, Assist residents with playing the game and/or participating in the program.
Contact for volunteer opportunity
Julie Schwieg, Life Enrichment Supervisor, Creek Way Village; Phone: 905-825-6000 ext 8655; Fax: 905-336-0785; Email: julie.schwieg@halton.ca
Volunteering at Halton Long Term Care Homes
Some examples of volunteering opportunities.
Assist staff and residents with programs (i.e Bingo, Crafts, Bowling). Assist staff to prepare space for program. Assist residents by helping them to and from program, Assist residents with playing the game and/or participating in the program.
Conduct a group of Residents through a colouring project on a weekly basis.
Residents benefit from social interaction and use of fine motor skills.
To provide social, physical, spiritual or intellectual stimulation on a one on one basis to residents. Visit residents as assigned by manager. Meet, talk, interact with residents. Assist residents to interact with others and participate in activities. Go for walks, read and conversations with residents.
To enhance the mealtime experience and encourage residents to increase their food intake. Training provided & staff supervisor on hand at all times.
Volunteering at Halton Long Term Care Homes
Mount Nemo Christian Nursing Home
We are a long-term care facility in North Burlington and are currently seeking high school students for volunteers. If interested please contact Courtney Kemp (Life Enrichment Aid) at 905-335-3636 x 208. Mount Nemo Christian Nursing Home
Smile Carriers
Inspiration
As my 94 year old mother was walking me out of her independent living condo, I was struck by how she checked her mailbox, empty as usual, nothing to open. Many seniors do not do well on the internet, furthering them to anticipate communication by mail. Thanks to the helping hands of this amazing community of mail creators we can brighten someone’s day! It’s a little something, but it’s big.
Yolanda Fitzpatrick
Big Smile Carrier
Our Mission
We focus on making the maximum positive effort for our mail recipients. Our volunteers provide the momentum that helps us affect change. We make a difference to seniors or anyone alone, and hope to improve their mental health.
Our Team
Our mail creators are the team. Without them we wouldn’t be able to send smiles to people alone and isolated. Our amazing team of regulars and part-time volunteers are committed to helping others. We take our convictions and turn them into action. Think you would be a good fit? Get in touch for more information!
Breakfast Corner @ Notre Dame
Breakfast Corner is still looking for students to help out each morning in the cafeteria. This is a great opportunity for students to accumulate volunteer hours. If interested, students can pick up an application form on the library counter.
Kidney Clothes
Kidney Clothes is looking for high school students in Brantford, Kitchener, Guelph, Cambridge, Waterloo, Hamilton, Burlington and the surrounding areas to become Frosty Friends. It’s an easy way to get some of the volunteer hours needed to graduate and help Canadians living with kidney disease!
For more info contact Julie Hunt at julie.hunt@kidneyclothes.ca.
Burlington Green
Join us in making a difference to protect local nature and to create a cleaner, greener more environmentally responsible Burlington.
Our rewarding volunteer offerings include serving as outreach and waste ambassadors at local events and festivals, assistance with habitat stewardship projects, and other impactful activities to support the community and help the planet locally.
Please join our volunteer mailing list by completing our handy sign up form.
And if you’re 14-24 years of age, be sure to get involved with our popular BGYN (BurlingtonGreen Youth Network).
We can’t wait to see you!
Burlington Green Opportunities
Royal City Soccer Club (summer camp)
Royal City Soccer Club, is a non profit organization that has been delivering Canada’s largest grassroots summer soccer day camp program since 1993.
This summer, we’re excited to offer volunteer opportunities for high school students aged 14 and up at our nearby camps. These roles give students a fun, active way to earn community service hours while building leadership, communication, and teamwork skills in a supportive environment.
Volunteer Program Highlights
• Program: Royal City Soccer Club Summer Volunteer Program
• Ages: 14+ (high school students)
• Dates: Weekly camps from June 29 to September 4, 2026
• Roles: Assisting staff, supporting activities and games, mentoring younger campers, and helping create a safe, positive camp experience
• Locations: Click here for location details near you (all across Ontario)
Students can apply online here:
https://royalsoccer.com/employment/ontario/
