Volunteer & Information Kingston

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Canadians say they are having trouble balancing their work and family lives. Their work schedules leave them burned out, with little time left for what they value most - their families, relationships, and other interests. But Canadians are starting to actively seek new ways to balance work and family, creating opportunities for families of all ages to take a fuller part in society.

Family Volunteering is an emerging trend in Canadian volunteerism. It represents a major change from traditional volunteering by introducing both volunteering by group and across age cohorts. Reflecting the changing interests and demographics of the volunteer pool, family volunteering creates opportunities for people to volunteer together.

Benefits

The benefits of family volunteering are many. The 2000 National Survey of Giving, Volunteering and Participating (NSGVP) proved what many know instinctively to be true - that early life exposure to volunteering is a key determinant in choosing to volunteer as an adult. The pressures on families today have been well documented by researchers. Family volunteering provides a positive alternative for families looking to spend quality time together. Family volunteering creates an opportunity to teach children the benefits and values of giving to community.

Click Here to see a list of opportunities suitable for families

More information is available through Family Volunteering: A Discussion Paper.

What is a Family?

There are many definitions of "family" today. Volunteer & Information Kingston's family volunteering program embraces everyone who considers themselves a family - mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, children, grandchildren, grandparents, foster parents, god parents, step-parents, single parents, special family friends, mentors - what you call family, we call family. Everyone can participate.

> Pilot Phase

> For Families

> For Non-Profit Organizations

> Local Stories

Continue to visit this page for up-to-date information on the Family Volunteering Program. If you would like to be involved as a member of the Family Volunteering Working committee or if you have any questions, or comments please call or email us at info@volunteerkingston.ca

"Volunteering is the most effective way to teach values like kindness, courage, self-discipline, respect and tolerance. When you volunteer, do it to help others. But also do it to help your children and strengthen your family." -- Richard Eyre, author of Teaching Your Children Values

Volunteer & Information Kingston gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation, an agency of the Ministry of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation, who provided the funds to launch Volunteer & Information Kingston's Family Volunteering Initiative in 2001.

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