Volunteer

Students who have a positive experience in school are more likely to complete high school and pursue post-secondary studies. You could be the positive influence that has a lasting impact on a child.

At the Ottawa Network for Education, we want to get acquainted with our volunteers and understand their motivation for volunteering. This helps us design a volunteer placement that matches each volunteer’s interests, and meets the needs of local students. There are many ways to get involved with ONFE.

Why Volunteer with ONFE?

Help students succeed in school

Our Ottawa Volunteers in Education Program brings caring adults into classrooms to help students acquire skills, understand new concepts, close learning gaps, and gain self-confidence. Volunteers in our OttawaReads program read aloud to young students in a one-to-one setting to support the acquisition of early literacy skills, and the progression of essential reading and language skills.

Ensure kids are nourished for the day

Our School Breakfast Program provides 13,500 students in 189 schools with a healthy breakfast each and every school day. School Breakfast volunteers assist with a variety of essential tasks, like food preparation, breakfast service, and more. In time, they become trusted, important adults in the lives of many students – and in return, benefit from witnessing the positive impact their volunteerism has on student health, well-being, and learning.

Help youth prepare for the future

JA Ottawa brings volunteers from the community and business sectors into grade 5 to 12 classrooms to teach financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurial skills. These volunteers guide students through real-world tasks like creating a budget, managing finances, exploring interests and career pathways, and working with a team to start a small business. Many volunteers tell us that the time they spent in school interacting with kids was the best part of their week.

Volunteer Story

Harry and Ty have been volunteering with JA Ottawa for three years through Carleton University’s Sprott School of Business. Volunteering with JA Ottawa has allowed them to apply their knowledge in a concrete manner while teaching young and eager minds: “It is really important and fulfilling for us to help make sure that students are prepared for the realities and challenges of post-secondary education.”

Read the full story

A child is waiting for a volunteer with your skills.

Do you have a knack for connecting with children or youth? We recruit, screen and train hundreds of individuals each year. Join us today!

Volunteer opportunities:

See all opportunities