Inquiries: 204-986-5958 or 204-986-3007
The Community Services Department offers a variety of opportunities for people of all ages to be involved in their neighbourhoods.
Volunteer placements for the Community Services Department are coordinated through the Community Support and Volunteer Services Branch. Branch staff is responsible for promoting volunteerism, recruiting potential volunteers, screening and interviewing applicants.
Volunteer positions are supportive in nature. Volunteers work under the direct supervision of Community Services staff in the following programs.
Recreation services:
Volunteer opportunities vary by season and program demand. In the summer months volunteers assist play group and sports camp leaders in numerous programs around the City.
Throughout the fall and winter, programs include, for example, learn to skate, children’s dance, gymnastics and adult and senior leisure activities.
Some of the tasks assigned to a volunteer are helping to prepare materials and equipment for daily activities and provide individual support to participants as required.
Aquatics services:
Volunteers assist swimming instructors with such tasks as setup and clean up of the pool area, crowd control on the pool deck and class activities as directed by the instructor.Volunteers are placed at various indoor City pools throughout the year and in the summer months at the outdoor pools, including wading pools.
For information on Recreation, Leisure and Aquatics programs, prospective or returning volunteer may consult the Leisure Guide. It is published three times a year and is also available on line at the Official City of Winnipeg Homepage.
Library services:
The City of Winnipeg Libraries offers two programs for volunteer participation.
The Read Aloud Program (RAP) is open to teen volunteers during July and August. Volunteers are paired with a participant between 6-10 years of age to share and encourage the enjoyment of reading.
The Homebound Visitor Program pairs a homebound reader with a volunteer who delivers pre-selected library material to their home on a monthly basis.
Animal services:
Animal Services requires volunteers to walk the dogs and to encourage the animals in shelter to socialize with humans as well as other dogs. The time commitment for all volunteers depends on their schedule and the program requirements.
The Community Support and Volunteer Services Branch require that prospective volunteers minimally meet the following criteria:
- Be 13 years of age, unless volunteering with an adult family member or a group.
- Have landed immigrant status
- Aquatics volunteers must have Aqua Quest Level 10
- Agree to a Criminal Record Check by the Winnipeg Police Service and be approved by the Bureau of Police Records.
In addition to these qualifications the prospective volunteer will be interviewed by a Volunteer Services Staff and their references will be checked.
For an application and more information, please contact the Volunteer Services Branch.
