Volunteer to refresh old skills, gain new ones, meet new people, and make a difference in the community. Assist with or lead our programs & events!
Current Volunteer Opportunities
Family Place Assistants – Assist with registration, circle time, set up/clean up and engaging with toddlers (0-5 yrs.) and their parent(s)/guardian(s) through play at South House on Mondays, Tuesdays, or Thursdays from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
Childcare Centers Volunteers – We are seeking volunteers to support one of our Childcare Centers in the School-Aged Childcare (SACC) Program or the Afterschool Program.
Food Bank – Do you have concerns about food security or want to help those in need with accessing free or affordable food? We are looking for individuals who can lift heavy items (at least 20 pounds). Times and days are flexible. South food bank: Tuesdays 9:30 AM-12:30 PM and Wednesdays 12:30 PM-3:30 PM.
Community Dinner Cooks and Entertainers – We host monthly dinners at the South House and quarterly dinners at the North House. We are looking for individuals who love to cook and/or share their culture through food and entertainment.
Community Garden – We are looking for volunteers to work in the garden in late February, depending on the weather. The volunteer work parties will be on weekends, mostly Sundays, with some opportunities for independent tasks during the week (watering).
Community Program Facilitator – If you enjoy bringing people together to learn and connect, the Community Program Facilitator volunteer role is the opportunity you were looking for. The Community Program Facilitator will design, develop, and implement an engaging program where participants will learn and develop skills, connect with each other, and build vibrant communities together. Times and days are flexible. The time commitment will be 2-3 hours per week, to prepare and lead the sessions.
Community English Conversation Program Facilitator – We are looking for volunteers to lead Conversational English Classes once a week for 1.5–2 hours at all houses. Times and days are flexible.
Office Volunteers – Do you want experience working in an office setting? Do you enjoy working with others or chatting with people? Or do you enjoy sorting and organizing information? We are looking for office volunteers to help out at our North/South office once a week.
Digital Volunteers (In-Person) – We are looking for tech savvy, patient and multilingual individuals that are able to work one-on-one or in small groups with adult/senior learners. Volunteers need to be comfortable working in-person. Time: Mondays 10 AM-12 PM (North House).
We are looking for individuals who enjoy working with Seniors (55+) who can lead social and recreational groups (in-person, on the phone, or over Zoom!), walks, or facilitate workshops. Times and days are flexible.
Meals On Wheels:
1) Depot Driver: We are looking for volunteer drivers to help pick up meals from our caterers in Richmond (Bridgeport Area) and in Chinatown (SUCCESS). We need drivers on Wednesday (pickup in Chinatown) and Friday (pickup in Richmond). Shifts will be from 8am – 10am.
2) Delivery Drivers: We are looking for volunteer drivers to help deliver meals from our Brentwood office to community members throughout Burnaby on a regular or casual/on call basis. Shifts will be on Monday, Wednesday, Fridays between 10:30am – 12:30pm.
Senior’s Transportation – Are you interested in helping seniors and driving them to the appointment destinations? Burnaby Community Services is looking for responsible car owners who are willing to pick up senior clients at their residences and drive them to the dental and medical appointments throughout Burnaby, New Westminster, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, and Vancouver. The driver may also help guide the client into the office and, if it is a round trip, wait for the client to drive them home. Note: this is a long-term role (at least 1 year) with mileage reimbursement.
If you are a youth in grade 8-12 (or 14-18 years old) you have 4 different options for volunteering:
- Special events
– Giftwrappers: We are looking for gift wrappers for our annual Gift Wrap fundraiser at Metrotown and Lougheed Mall from December 2 – 24. The Christmas Gift wrappers will be responsible for wrapping gifts. Time commitment: 3/4 shifts during December.
– Christmas Bureau Toy Room Assistant: During November andDecember we are looking for some extra volunteers who can occasionally be called upon to help stock, clean, sort, and assist with greeting. You will need to be available between November 1 – December 21 and will be called occasionally to assist with various tasks. - BNH Programs
– Youth Mentors: We are looking for youth volunteers to mentor young teenagers (ages 12-15) in our new Youth Adventure program. Mentors will help foster supportive social relationships through a variety of activities, helping teens make meaningful connections, develop life skills, and engage in outdoor experiences in and around the community. We ask mentors to commit to weekly gatherings and monthly family dinners. Locations: Forest Grove elementary school, Cedar Place, and South House)
– Food Bank: Do you have concerns about food security or want to help those in need with accessing free or affordable food? We are looking for individuals who can help sort, bag, and organize food for isolated individuals and/or seniors living in Burnaby. Location: South hall (5024 Rumble Street)
– School Aged Childcare/Afterschool Programs or Daycamps: assist weekly at one of our childcare or Afterschool programs doing recreational activities and programs with children aged 5-12 years old.
3. Community Projects (Fall 2023) – Be part of a Youth Committee to decide what community projects you would like to plan for each month (e.g. – food/hygiene drives, community cleans up, fundraisers, etc.)



How to become a volunteer?
Please submit your volunteer application only if you are interested in one of the positions listed above. Be aware that the volunteer intake may take longer than usual as most of our programs are currently full.
Please complete the application form on our volunteer software, Better Impact.
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- If you are an adult 18 and over, click here
- If you are a high school student, click here
- Already have a Better Impact account? Log in at: https://app.betterimpact.com/Login/Login
- You can also install the BetterImpact app on your phone here.
*If you have any questions regarding your BetterImpact account or the application, please contact Carina at volunteer@burnabynh.ca
After submitting your form on BetterImpact, you will be prompted to book a quick informal interview with us by emailing Carina Fu, South Community Engagement Supervisor (Email: volunteer@burnabynh.ca) or Ann Ryu, North Community Engagement Supervisor (Email: annr@burnabynh.ca) your availability between Mondays to Fridays. This is so we get to know a bit more about you, your interests and skills, and help you find the right volunteer opportunity match.
After your volunteer interview, you will be sent either a link or a letter to obtain a free criminal record check.
We will contact your non-family reference (friend, neighbour, classmate, or colleague) listed in your application. If possible, please provide their email as it helps expedite the process.
Online orientations will be conducted online. Once you complete your interview, a sign up link will be sent to you.
Completed at the orientation
Upload your photo onto the Better Impact site when you create your volunteer account.
For Preschool or School Aged Childcare (Proof of Covid Vaccination, Provincial criminal check clearance, and Immunization declaration)
We apologize for the long list of items, but we want applicants to fully understand the volunteer application process in the beginning. We look forward to welcoming you to our Volunteer Team!
If you have questions regarding our volunteer programs, please contact Janice Ho, Manager of Volunteers and Community Programs.
Email: janiceh@burnabynh.ca
If you have questions regarding leading a South Community Program, please contact Carina Fu, Community Engagement Supervisor
Email: volunteer@burnabynh.ca
Phone: 604-431-0400 Ext.130
If you have questions regarding leading a North community Program, please contact Ann Ryu, Community Engagement Supervisor
Email: annr@burnabynh.ca
Phone: 604-294-5444