How you can help

Become a part of the village

It is everyone’s responsibility to help protect our children. There are many ways to help children and families through the Durham Children’s Aid Society.

You can:

• Join us at one of our events
• Become a volunteer driver
• Support the Durham Children’s Aid Foundation (donate, attend an event or volunteer)
• Consider becoming a foster caregiver
• Consider a career in child welfare
• Run for a position on our Board of Directors

Without the community’s support, the door to future possibilities for many of these children remains closed.

Become a Volunteer

PLEASE NOTE: we are are currently recruiting Volunteer Drivers. If this role is of interest to you, please contact Volunteer Services.

The goal of our voluntary services is to assist children, youth and families in the areas of health, well-being, education and stability; and to assist in building support networks for families in their community.

Volunteers leverage the strengths of individuals by serving as role models and imparting new skills to foster trust, boost self-esteem, nurture positive relationships, encourage independence, promote academic achievements, and establish connections within the community.

Who are our volunteers?

Durham CAS volunteers must be minimum aged 18, and residing or working in Durham Region. They are dedicated individuals capable of thriving in a demanding and well-organized setting, working collaboratively within a team. Volunteers are open to receiving guidance while also exhibiting a strong capacity for taking on significant responsibilities and making independent decisions.

The role of a volunteer driver

Volunteer drivers offer secure and dependable transportation services to children and youth, with transportation available both during the day and evening, seven days a week. Volunteers have the flexibility to accept or decline transportation requests based on their availability, and they are eligible for mileage reimbursement.

Volunteer drivers offer transportation services for school commutes, medical appointments, family visits, and similar activities.

The screening process

Volunteers at Durham CAS are afforded a great deal of responsibility and trust.

Volunteers at Durham CAS are afforded a great deal of responsibility and trust. Our responsibility is to guarantee that those who choose to volunteer are individuals who embody respect, responsibility, reliability, compassion, support, and trustworthiness, and who can contribute their strengths to assist the children, youth, and families we support. Therefore, several crucial steps are involved in the application and screening process:

• Applicants must actively support and endorse Durham CAS’ values and mission.
• Applicants must live or work in Durham Region.
• Applicants must be 18 or older.
• Applicants will be invited to attend a mandatory information session.
• An application must be completed.
• Applicants must provide three references.
• Applicants will provide a Criminal Records Check with Vulnerable Sector screening.
• Applicants must consent to a search within the Child Protection Information Network (CPIN). Additionally, applicants will provide a Release of Information to contact other Children’s Aid Societies when there has been involvement or if they have resided outside of the Region for the last ten years.
• Applicants must provide a clear Driver’s Abstract (if applicable to the role)
• Applicants must provide a copy of their current valid driver’s license and vehicle insurance (if applicable to the role)
• Applicants will be interviewed by the Coordinator of Volunteer Services to determine their suitability as a volunteer.
• Applicants must review and sign an oath of confidentiality and other agreements related to our policies and procedures.
• Upon approval, volunteers participate in orientation and training before being matched to a volunteer role and are provided with a copy of current policies and procedures. There is a probationary period of six months.
• All volunteers must make a minimum commitment of one year.

For more information or to receive an application form, please contact  Volunteer Services.nteer your