Make a difference. Grow as a leader. Give back to your community.
Volunteering is more than earning hours—it’s an opportunity to grow as a leader, build lifelong skills, make meaningful connections, and create a positive impact in your community. The experiences you gain today can open doors to future educational and career opportunities while helping others along the way.
Students can volunteer in many ways with CCS SWIS, including:
Supporting school and community events
Becoming a peer leader or mentor for the Newcomer Orientation Week (NOW) Program
Assisting with youth workshops and community projects
Helping facilitate summer programs and activities
Welcoming and guiding newcomer students during events
Assisting with program setup, registration, and event logistics
Helping create social media content, posters, or promotional materials
Volunteering is a meaningful way for newcomer caregivers to become involved in their children’s school and community. It provides opportunities to build confidence, develop new skills, make social connections, and gain valuable Canadian experience. By volunteering, caregivers can strengthen their understanding of the school system, practice English, meet other families, and create a positive impact for students.
Whether you have a few hours to spare or can volunteer regularly, your time and talents make a difference.
There are many ways to get involved, including:
Assisting at SWIS workshops, celebrations, and community events.
Helping set up and clean up before and after programs.
Preparing activity materials and welcome packages.
Supporting arts and crafts, games, and cultural activities.
Sharing your language skills by helping communicate with other newcomer families.
Helping welcome new families and making them feel included.
Assisting with food preparation and distribution during events.
Sharing your cultural traditions, experiences, and talents through presentations or activities.
If you are interested in volunteering with us, please fill out this application. and get in touch with a school settlement worker.
If a retired teacher wants to support newcomer students without committing to a full- or part-time staff role, SWIS programs rely heavily on volunteers for targeted initiatives:
Programs like NOW (Newcomer Orientation Week) or WIN (Welcome Information for Newcomers) often need experienced educators to facilitate workshops, assist with school tours, or guide family orientation sessions.
Retired teachers are uniquely equipped to provide English Language Learning (ELL) literacy support, math tutoring, and academic coaching alongside SWIS staff.
Helping newcomer parents understand report cards, IEPs (Individual Education Plans), parent-teacher interviews, and graduation requirements.
