April 19–25 is National Volunteer Week, in Canada.
Covenant House Vancouver (CHV) relies heavily on its amazing group of individual and corporate volunteers, who are invaluable in supporting vulnerable youth, as they work towards brighter futures.
Each month, over 60 individuals volunteer at CHV. During our fiscal year 2025:
- 85 corporate, community and/or school groups donated their time
- 25 excursions were led by volunteers
- 15 volunteer tutors supported young people in subjects like math, English, and the sciences
- 6,000+ hours were donated to support young people, at CHV
There are many ways that volunteers contribute to CHV and the youth we serve, but some of the key areas include supporting our Food Services team, tutoring youth, leading excursions, and helping our Gifts-in-Kind team sort donated items and help in the clothing room.
Some volunteers were kind enough to share why they enjoy volunteering at CHV:
Staff are very helpful and supportive, and they offer a variety of work that makes the whole experience enjoyable. • Food Services volunteer
I always leave feeling like I have contributed something, by ensuring that there is a great selection of items in the clothing room. • Gifts-in-Kind volunteer
To be present and see youth in their vulnerability, supported by such a caring organization, is magical. • Excursion leader
As classes go on, I am always so impressed by how hard the youth are working to succeed, even given what’s on their plates — working, dealing with trauma, and current life struggles, both at work and in their daily lives. • Tutor
CHV is a not-for-profit organization that relies heavily on its volunteers. Volunteers support our programs and services, working both behind the scenes and in common spaces with youth, on a regular basis. Staff wanted to share their appreciation, for the amazing work done by the volunteers:
We are happy to have kind, dedicated, and caring volunteers to help serve food to the youth! Food Services
We welcome volunteers, like our family. We share the same love and dedication in helping the youth. Food Services
Volunteers are integral to the work that we do. They tie up loose ends and complete the bigger picture of what CHV stands for. Food Services
When it feels like there just isn’t enough time in the day, having that extra set of hands for a couple hours can be the difference between us getting ahead or drowning in tasks. Gifts in Kind
We would like to sincerely thank all of our volunteers who give from the heart and are truly making a difference in the lives of young people.
Want to get involved?
If your passion is to help young people in your community, check out the latest opportunities at CHV!