VOLUNTEER REPORT
Speaking Up on Volunteerism A Q&A with Ontario Volunteer Centres
PIN - The People and Information Network Kim Cusimano, Executive Director
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ecovery can mean many things, but for volunteerism across Canada, it means investing in people. Volunteerism is a hallmark of our nation — we have one of the highest rates of volunteerism in the world. It’s a deliberate choice we make to uplift our society with a strong volunteer force. Yet COVID-19 has disrupted volunteerism in every way possible. The role of volunteer centres and an understanding of the system we are actively rehabilitating must be better understood — by the public, non-profits, funders, and governments. As a start, four members of the Ontario Volunteer Centre Network are responding to pressing questions on the state of volunteerism for Foundation Magazine:
Catch us up—how have volunteers supported the community during the pandemic? Kim Cusimano: A record number of individuals invested their time, talent and human spirit to meet essential needs in food security, health care, seniors’ services, vaccination clinics, taxation support and continue to support the delivery of social 18
FOUNDATION Magazine
September/October 2021
Volunteer Mississauga Brampton Caledon Carine Strong, Executive Director
Volunteer Halton Heather Johnson, Director
Volunteer Toronto Joanne McKiernan
foundationmag.ca
