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 – We are looking for volunteers who enjoying engaging with parents and their children aged 0-5 years old at our Brentwood (Tues/Wed/Fri am- 2055 Rosser Ave.) and South House sites (Mon/Tues/Thurs am – 4460 Beresford St.). Duties include set up, snack preparations, story time, and crafts.
Christmas Bureau Movers and Drivers – During the months of November, December and January (for end of season pack-up) we will need some movers to help with unloading and moving donated toys or supplies on an occasional basis. We will need movers who are able to get to the Brentwood area, sometimes on short notice, and able to lift items 15-40 lbs.
Christmas Bureau Auxiliary – During November and December we are looking for some extra volunteers who can occasionally be called upon to help stock, clean, sort, and assisting with greeting. You will need to be available between November 1-December 21 and will be called occasionally to assist with various tasks.
Christmas Elves – During December 1-21 we are looking for Elves to help families select their toys. Volunteers need to commit to 4 or 8 hours shifts. Orientation will be given onsite and a lunch break will be provided for 8 hours shifts. (Please note that unfortunately volunteers can not be recipients of the Christmas Bureau during the current season.).
Community Cafe Assistants – We are looking for community members who like chatting with people, engaging in activities and games, and have a spare Thursday or Friday afternoon to help assist in our new Community Cafe. South House on Thursdays from 12:45-4:15pm or Fridays at the North House 12:45-4:15pm.
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.
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. Times and days are flexible. South food bank: Tuesdays 9:30am-12:30pm and Wednesdays 12pm-3pm.
Youth Mentor – We are looking for adult 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.
CALP – The program serves adult learners in Burnaby seeking support with their reading/writing/numeracy or digital literacy. Learners are paired with a trained volunteer tutor, who they meet once a week, either online or in-person. With the support of their tutor, learners work towards gaining the necessary literacy or life skills in order to prepare them for employment or to be able to fully functional in society. Tutors and program staff play an important role in connecting learners with programs and services at the Neighbourhood House and the community as a whole.
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 South and North offices once a week for 3 hours.
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 at any of our three locations. Mondays 10 am-12 pm (North House), Mondays 12-2 pm (South House), Tuesdays 12-2 pm (North House), Wednesdays 10 am-12 pm (Brentwood), Thursdays 3 – 5pm (South House) and Saturdays 10 am-12 pm (South House).
Literacy Now – If you are passionate or interested in increasing literacy in Burnaby there are two volunteer positions available at this time: 1) Online outreach through social media streams. 2) In-person help with handing out literacy hampers at food hubs.
Special events – Do you want to engage with others and practice your communication skills? Perhaps you enjoy busy environments and want to participate in community events. We are looking for volunteers to assist with upcoming events such as Hats off Day (Barricade attendants), Community BBQs, and summer events. Many of the events take place in the evenings and/or weekends.
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.
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 Foodbank Delivery – Volunteers will help deliver foodbank groceries to low income seniors living in Burnaby who are unable to attend the foodbank. Shifts on Wednesdays between 10am – 12pm. You will need access to a car and physically able to lift groceries around 10lbs.
If you are comfortable with technology and want to teach older adults computer skills, come and join our Senior’s Tech Outreach Support program now. The program will start in September and training will take place this summer.
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.
Senior’s Food Distribution – Do you have concerns about food security or want to help those in need with accessing free or affordable food? Our Seniors Food/Meal Delivery volunteers will deliver groceries and/or prepared meals to isolated seniors living in Burnaby. Wednesdays and Thursdays – time of day flexible. You will need access to a car.
Form Filling and Information & Referrals – We are looking for caring individuals to help seniors with form completion and find information and services they need.
TAPS (Therapeutic Activation Program for Seniors) is a low cost social activity day program for Burnaby seniors. This is a 4 hour day program including lunch. The program will involve socializing, games, lunch, education, and physical activity for seniors 55+.
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 at any of our three locations. Mondays 10 am-12 pm (North House), Mondays 12-2 pm (South House), Tuesdays 12-2 pm (North House), Wednesdays 10 am-12 pm (Brentwood), Thursdays 3-5 pm (South House) and Saturdays 10 am-12 pm (South House).
Senior’s Peer Support – Are you 55+ and interested in helping others? As a senior peer support volunteer, you provide one-on-one support and guidance to a fellow senior through challenging times in their lives. You will receive 50 hours of online training before starting your role (every Wednesday).
If you are a youth in grade 8-12 (or 14-18 years old) you have 4 different options for volunteering:
- Special events
- 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
- 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
- Digital Cafe: 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 at any of our three locations
- Family Place (summer): We are looking for volunteers who enjoying engaging with parents and their children aged 0-5 years old
- Decamps: during summer, we provide employment for approximately 15 to 20 secondary and post secondary students
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 complete the application form on our new volunteer software, Better Impact.
- 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