Are you looking for a place to volunteer and to be of service to the community? A time to put faith into action? A way to make a commitment? Check out the opportunities listed below. And contribute to the webcurator other opportunities as you discover them.

Dalhousie Amnesty International

A group that works for the protection and promotion of human rights throughout the world. www.amnestyatdal.info

Dalhousie Food Bank

Meeting the needs of the Dalhousie community, the Food Bank is a student-run organization that needs volunteers on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 4:40 to 7:30 and on Saturdays from 12 pm to 2 pm. Visit www.dsu.ca/services/foodbank for details and contact information.

Dalhousie Women’s Centre

The Women’s Centre relies on student volunteers to keep the Centre open as much as possible. In addition to duties in managing the Centre, they require a gardener, cook and servers, etc. Visit womenscentre.dsu.dal.ca/staff for details and contact information.

Habitat for Humanity

Halifax and South Shore chapters of Habitat for Humanity put their faith into action by building affordable, quality houses with families in need to eliminate poverty housing, one family at a time. Dalhousie University has a Dalhousie Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter which can be reached at habitat@dal.ca or visit their website at habitat/dsu.dal.ca. Contact volunteer@habitathrm.com or 464.0274, extension 1 for HRM; the South Shore Chapter can be reached at info@habitatsouthshore.ca or 543.7879. 

Hope Cottage

Mornings or evenings for two or three hours a week you can join a team of three volunteers in providing meals to the local homeless people. The Cottage is located at 2435 Brunswick Street. Visit their website for a history of the Cottage at www.nsnet.org/hopecottage. E-mail burkeng@fox.nstn.ca or call 429.7968 for more information.

Hospital Volunteering

The Halifax hospitals have a number of volunteer opportunities in the areas of palliative care, recreation programming, hospitality, etc. For information, call the Victoria General Hospital at 473.5420 and the Veterans’ Hospital at 473.2457 to arrange an interview with the volunteer coordinator.

International Volunteer Service

Canadian Lutheran World Relief’s International Volunteer Service provides volunteer opportunities in a number of countries of the world. Monica Denk is the contact person. The May 2007 listing of volunteer needs is available by clicking here. Visit their website: www.clwr.org. E-mail Monica at monicad@clwr.mb.ca. Call 1.800.661.2597 for more information.

KAIROS

KAIROS unites churches and religious organizations in a faithful ecumenical response to the call to “do justice, and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). They deliberate on issues of common concern, advocate for social change and join with people of faith and goodwill in action for social transformation. The Justice and Action Student/s are members of the Halifax Local Cluster of KAIROS.
Visit their website: www.kairoscanada.org.

Meal Exchange

A national student-founded, youth-driven chaity to address local hunger issues. Sponsor of the annual Hallowe’en Trick or Eat Campaign. Visit their website: www.mealexchange.com.

Pendleton Place

A cold-weather shelter for the homeless, located at 2263 Brunswick Street, operates from November 1 through April 30. The twenty-bed facility for people sixteen years of age and older is open from 4 pm to 7:45 pm. Contact Melisssa Phillips or Terra Simpkins at 422-2017.

Phoenix Youth Programs

Located near Dalhousie University, at 6035 Coburg Road, is the Phoenix Centre for Youth. Here about forty to fifty homeless youth a day are able to access laundry facilities, showers, healthy snacks, and clothing. For information on their need for volunteers visit www.phoenixyouth.ca, call 422.3105, or e-mail phoenix@phoenixyouth.ca.

Saint Andrew’s United Church Sunday Supper Program for the Homeless

Every Sunday evening at Saint Andrew’s on Robie Street at Spring Garden Road an evening meal is prepared for the homeless in the city. Medical students are also present and attend to the needs of those who gather, particularly in providing footwear. Clothing is also provided. In volunteering to assist, just show up the first time at 3:30 at the church door on Edward Street. Duties involve setting up, serving the meal, cleaning up, etc. Contact Mary Schlech at 425.8377 for information.

Salvation Army

For a range of sevice opportunities, contact Captains Owen and Sandra Budden at 422.3621. They are located at the Salvation Army Halifax Citadel Community Church at 1327 Barrington Street. The e-mail is halifax.citadel@ns.sympatico.ca. The church’s website lists its community care outreach projects at www3.ns.sympatico.ca/halifax.citadel.

Volunteers in Mission

The ELCIC’s Volunteers in Mission program provides a range of volunteer opportunities in a number of countries of the world. Monica Denk will work with a person’s particular interests and skills to look for matches in addition to those that are listed on their list. The May 2007 listing of volunteer needs is available by clicking here. Visit the website for a current listing of the needs in volunteers: www.elcic.ca/mission/world. E-mail Monica Denk at monicad@clwr.mb.ca. Call 1.800.661.2597 for more information.