Thank you for your interest in volunteering Behind The Shield! Volunteers have been called “the army behind the Army” for their invaluable service to our community. In 2023, our volunteers generously gave over 1730 hours of service to our programs!
If you are interested in volunteering regularly, we have year-round volunteer shifts available! We are always on the look-out for community meals servers. Volunteers come during meal times to the scoop and serve food, wipe tables and greet community guests from all walks of life. Community Meals volunteers have flexible shifts with weekday/weekend availability so you can pick the shifts that suit your schedule best. Shifts are Monday-Friday 10:45am-12:00pm, and Sat 3:45-5pm. Please note that we require a minimum commitment of twice a month for a duration of 6 months or a minimum total of 15 hours (each shift is 1.25 hrs) within 6 months. Please kindly ensure you are able to commit to these arrangements before you fill out the application as a regular volunteer. If you would like to volunteer less frequently, we have one-time opportunities throughout the year, mostly in the holiday season. You can fill out our holiday application to get on the list and we will email you when shifts open up.
See below in how you can get involved!
How to be a Regular Volunteer:
1. Create a volunteer account and register for an upcoming orientation session.
2. Start the criminal record review process and complete our online boundaries training– instructions will be sent to you closer to orientation date.
3. Attend orientation – you’ll get to know us, learn about our policies and procedures, and meet our Community Engagement Coordinator. An email will be sent out after the orientation with volunteer onboarding paperwork.
4. Wait for your clearance letter, when we have all we need from you we’ll send you a confirmation email and you can sign up for shifts!
For information about group volunteering, click here.
It takes an average of 6 weeks to go through our regular volunteer intake process. Our clients and their safety are always our priority, so we require that every volunteer completes our screening process, including a criminal record check. You must attend orientation, an online boundaries training and receive CRRP clearance before volunteering.
Basic requirements for individual volunteers:
Age: 19+
Clean Time: 1-2 years
We are gradually developing more diverse volunteer opportunities in our programs to give community members chances to serve our clients in multiple ways. To see different volunteer opportunities that are available, please click here. Volunteers who are interested in skill-based volunteerism or other roles are encouraged to look at available roles under “view volunteer opportunities”, and write down your area of interest when you are completing your online application and email us directly with your full name, brief area of interest, any other information you would like to send us. Title your email “Interested in Skill-Based Volunteer Opportunities”. When we receive your email, we will go into your application and contact you if you are good fit. We will invite volunteers for an interview for most roles outside of community meals. References may be requested depending on the role.
Watch Ricki’s inspirational story and see how you can make an impact on our clients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I volunteer just once?
Yes, we welcome one-time volunteers at some of our holidays and special events, including Christmas and Easter community meals but not in our regular volunteer shifts. Watch this page, our social media channels for more information or apply to be a holiday volunteer to get notified by email when shifts opens.
Can I just show up to volunteer?
No, we do not take drop ins. To ensure the smooth operation of our programs and services, and the safety of the vulnerable populations we serve, we require volunteers to go through an orientation and screening process before volunteering.
Why does it take so long to be screened as a volunteer?
The safety and wellbeing of our residents and guests is critically important, so we need to know more about you before you join our community. Please be patient – we want to make sure that you are the right fit for our opportunities and that we are the right fit for you!
Why do you use the Criminal Record Review Program? Can’t I go to my local police for a criminal record check?
We participate in the CRRP because it’s free for volunteers, and it offers a comprehensive risk assessment process with consistent standards. You can learn more about the program on their website.
What is the minimum time commitment per month?
We require a minimum commitment of twice a month for a duration of 6 months or a minimum total of 15 hours (each shift is 1.25 hrs) within 6 months. Skill-based position descriptions will always outline the time commitment required. Our community meals offer the most flexible scheduling, so if you work rotating shifts or have an unpredictable schedule, they are a great fit!
I still have questions!
That’s okay – let’s talk! Please reach out to our Community Engagement Coordinator.
IMPORTANT DATES 2025
- National Volunteer Week – April 27-May 3
- Easter Community Meal – TBD
- Thanksgiving Registration opens – TD
- Harbour Light’s Anniversary – October 1st
- Thanksgiving Meal – TBD
- Christmas Registration opens – TBD
- International Volunteer Day – December 5th
- Christmas Day Meal – December 25th
