Clean up the city
From the River Valley to all the beautiful parks, Edmonton has plenty of gorgeous green space to protect – get involved with Capital City Clean Up to ensure that the streets, neighbourhoods and parks are free of litter.
311, edmonton.ca/programs_services/graffiti_litter/river-valley-clean-up.aspx
Get a new Little Brother or Sister
Prefer to make a difference one on one? Boys and Girls Clubs Big Brothers Big Sisters may be the perfect fit – you can mentor and make a difference in a youth’s life in a big way.
10135 89 St., 780-424-8181, bgcbigs.ca
Socialize a furry friend
Not quite ready to get your own pet – or, perhaps, just can’t get enough of man’s best friend? The Edmonton Humane Society has 400-600 animals on any given day, and you can be the one to help socialize them.
13620 163 St., 780-471-1774, edmontonhumanesociety.com
Nourish the community
Did you know that there were over 75,000 volunteer hours donated to the Food Bank in 2016? From sorting donated food to packing hampers to participating in special events in the community, there are many ways to support this important resource.
11508 120 St., 780-425-2133, edmontonsfoodbank.com
Give Edmontonians a peek into the past
If you’re a history buff, you can volunteer your time by helping introduce Edmontonians to the city’s past. The John Walter Museum takes on costumed interpreters as well as special-event volunteers.
9180 Walterdale Hill, 311, edmonton.ca
Inspire individuals of all ages to fall in love with the written word
If you want to champion literacy in the city, the Centre for Family Literacy has numerous opportunities. Work one on one with an adult learner as a tutor, assist in the Family Literacy Program, or help out with the Centre’s fundraising or special events.
11642 142 St., 780-421-7323, famlit.ca
Empower youth to change their future
Youth Empowerment & Support Services (YESS) is a big organization with plenty of volunteering spots. Organize clothing in the donation room, help the chefs prepare daily meals or get outside and help with the yard work.
9310 82 Ave., 780-468-7070, yess.org
Show a family some compassion during a tough time
The Ronald McDonald House is a fantastic resource, and you can volunteer your time by becoming a shuttle driver, preparing meals in the Meals That Mend program, or even helping pamper residents in the Rejuvenate program.
7726 107 St., 780-439-5437, rmhcna.org
Learn to become a better volunteer
Looking to make a difference but just not sure how? The Junior League of Edmonton is an organization that trains female volunteers to become more efficient so they can help make the city a better place. Currently, it’s focused on initiatives that address mental-health issues and girls’ self-esteem.
10447 86 Ave., 780-433-9739, jledmonton.com
Help in the kitchen and the art studio
Brighten the downtown core at Boyle Street Community Services, where you can do everything from helping in the kitchen to helping visitors explore the power of creativity through arts activities.
10116 105 Ave., 780-424-4106, boylestreet.org
