Volunteer Calgary

Volunteering
and New Canadians

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Calgary welcomes an average of 7,520 new immigrants each year. Choosing Calgary as a new home is exciting as well as challenging. Volunteering can help make it easier for you to settle into your new community and learn more about the language, social structure and local job market.

Volunteering can help you providing an opportunity to:
  • Come out of your house, network with people, avoid the feeling of being isolated
  • Feel welcomed, respected and valued
  • Understand local culture and society
  • Practice English
  • Help build a strong and supportive democratic society
  • Use your skills and talents to support a cause in which you believe
  • Realize your goals, know more about the Canadian job market and hiring practices
  • Earn a professional reference which is key to entering the Canadian job market
  • Gain Canadian work experience
  • Learn more about Canadian workplace culture to find and keep a job
  • Learn what kind of professional work is best suited to you
Key facts about volunteering:
  • It is an unpaid contribution of your time, skill and effort for the betterment of the community.
  • 71% of Calgarians volunteer each year.
  • Volunteer experience is often regarded as job experience in Canada.
  • Is highly organized, well managed, and very respected in Canada.
  • Volunteer positions can have different time frames: some of them want a commitment of a couple months while some others are shorter in length with flexible timing. You should choose a position that suits your schedule, interest, and experience.
  • You may or may not find volunteer opportunities in the specific field of your expertise. However, there are always opportunities to volunteer in the areas of your interests and hobbies.
  • There are wide ranges of areas in which you can volunteer. Click here to find current volunteer opportunities
  • When you are volunteering, be punctual, reliable, committed, professional, willing to learn more, and respectful of differences.
  • You will find the best opportunities to volunteer with recognized non-profit organizations.
  • A good organization will provide you with appropriate orientation and training, depending on your volunteer position.
  • You should give and receive feedback on a regular basis. It's the way you and the organization will grow together.
  • Volunteer Calgary`s website (click here to find a volunteer opportunity) and the websites of many other non profit organizations can help you find the opportunities you are interested in.
  • Volunteer Calgary can help you find the right place for you to volunteer, answer your questions, and support you. Contact us using the information in this website.

Some Useful Links for the Newcomers to Calgary