To provide a provincial network and voice to strengthen the individual and collective ability of Volunteer Centres in Ontario, to promote, support and enhance volunteerism.
Ontario volunteers contribute $2.07 billion to Canada’s GDP
Volunteers play a critical role in delivering services to our most vulnerable residents (food security, mental health programs, seniors support services, hospital support, hospice care), and support community initiatives that enhance the lives of all citizens (sport, arts and culture, education, etc.).
Significant social and economic implications of not building back:
Numerous sector-wide surveys indicate that organizations are challenged to find volunteers (ONN, Imagine Canada)
The pandemic has placed significant operational strain on the voluntary sector causing 1 in 2 organizations to lay-off or permanently re-deploy volunteer management professionals. This trend has significantly disrupted volunteer engagement across Ontario as volunteer demand outstrips the supply of available positions.
Meeting critical needs is paramount as social system (health care) is under critical duress. Volunteers can support further erosion through preventative support.