Apr. 15 2025
Volunteering plays a vital role in strengthening nonprofit organizations and supporting communities. Volunteers generously contribute their time, skills, and energy to causes that help create a better future for everyone. Many literacy programs that support people in need simply wouldn’t be possible without them.
Volunteers have a positive impact not only on individuals but also on the entire community. Their work creates a ripple effect, spreading kindness and making lasting changes. By supporting literacy initiatives, volunteers are helping to create a more educated, confident, and empowered society.
This year, National Volunteer Week 2025 celebrates the theme "Volunteers Make Waves," recognizing the lasting and far-reaching effects of people who give their time and know-how to help others.
Whether it’s supporting a student with reading, helping a newcomer with language skills, or building confidence through workplace literacy, volunteers are at the heart of many impactful programs. Volunteering is an investment in the future. Every hour spent helping others creates a ripple of positive change that can reach far beyond what we see today.
At United for Literacy, volunteers help learners of all ages and backgrounds, from young children to adults, by improving skills like reading, writing, numeracy, and more. Volunteers are integral to our literacy programs, offering crucial support that helps individuals succeed in life.
At United for Literacy, volunteer tutors provide learning support to people of all ages in various ways, including:
Supporting learners: volunteers assist with fundamental reading, writing, and numeracy for children, youth, and adults, both online and in-person. Volunteering in literacy programs is essential for helping learners build foundational skills and make lasting progress in their education and lives.
Expanding skill sets: Tutors also help with digital/computer skills, financial literacy, and English or French conversation skills for newcomers. How volunteering helps literacy goes far beyond just reading and writing, it empowers learners to thrive in everyday life, from digital skills to personal confidence.
Building essential workplace skills: Volunteers contribute to programs focused on workplace literacy and essential skills.
United for Literacy volunteers come from a variety of backgrounds. Many are university students who gain valuable skills during their time as tutors and team leaders. Supporting literacy through volunteering allows volunteers to make a significant difference while gaining experience in meaningful areas, including fields like teaching, medicine, law, and social work.
United for Literacy’s National Youth Mobilization Program, supported by the McCall MacBain Foundation, offers on-the-job training, coaching, and mentorship to youth interns. Post-secondary students design, deliver, and manage high-impact literacy programs to make communities stronger.
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Campbell McInnis holding the Kind Charles III Coronation Medal.Youth volunteers and interns also gain significant personal and professional development. One young person making a huge difference in her community is Campbell Mclnnis. Campbell made significant contributions to the Correctional Facility Literacy Initiative by developing digital content for people in federal correctional institutions.
Campbell was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal in recognition of her invaluable work.
However, volunteers also include retirees, parents, former learners and professionals, anyone with a passion for reading and learning. Each volunteer plays a crucial role in making a difference and contributing to a wave of positive change. Become a volunteer today and support literacy programs that help learners of all ages!
Sometimes children face rough patches where they need extra support. United for Literacy volunteers share their time and skills to help young learners find the answers they need to continue learning.
“My biology test went way better than I had thought! Thank you so much for all your help!”
“It has been incredibly rewarding to watch my learners gain confidence in their English language skills. Whether we were practicing conversational English, working through reading exercises, or strengthening their writing abilities, I watched my students become more confident in themselves and their abilities.”
Volunteers also work with adults to improve reading, writing, and math; build workplace and basic skills; engage newcomers in English or French conversation (depending on the community); and more. The compassion and generosity of volunteers spread the ripple of change across Canada.
Volunteering not only benefits the people being served but also has a profound impact on the volunteers themselves.
Why should you volunteer? Here are some great reasons:
Build your resumé and learn valuable job skills,
Complete school or professional development requirements,
Find new direction during retirement,
Share your skills, and
It feels great to connect with others and give back to your community.
Here’s what volunteers from the National Online Adult Learning (NOAL) program, a free, online program that supports adult learners with literacy and essential skills, say about their experience.
“It made me more confident in a leadership or teaching role and allowed me to further my oral communication and explanation skills…. It played a big role in helping me secure my next co-op position which is a similar TA position at my university and helped me develop the educational and people-focused skills for that position.”
“This is the first time I am doing a group class, so engagement of all students seemed challenging, but I have observed Nora and learnt a lot from her. Also, her feedback was really helpful.”
How volunteering enhances leadership skills is evident as our volunteers develop competencies that benefit them personally and professionally. The benefits of volunteering for your resume include hands-on experience, teamwork, and leadership skills that are highly valued by employers.
Volunteers with United for Literacy not only make a difference in the lives of learners but also contribute to the lasting success of our programs. In 2024, 1,604 volunteers contributed 33,900 hours to support literacy programs in communities from coast to coast to coast. These hours represent countless interactions that help individuals of all ages and backgrounds develop the essential skills they need to succeed, whether it’s improving reading, learning new workplace skills, or mastering a second language.
The dedication of our volunteers is evident, with approximately 40% of volunteers returning year after year. This ongoing commitment speaks to the transformative power of literacy and the sense of fulfillment our volunteers gain from being part of this mission.
Our volunteers’ continued involvement ensures that our programs remain sustainable and that learners continue to receive the support they need. Their dedication creates a ripple effect, not only changing lives but also strengthening communities for generations to come.
Become a volunteer today and experience the impact you can have while enhancing your own skills and resume.
United for Literacy has year-round volunteer opportunities, online and in person. Volunteers can support a variety of programs, including:
Tutoring for Children and Youth: Volunteers help younger learners develop a love for reading through tutoring programs and Reading Circles. This helps shape their future by encouraging a passion for books. Older children and youth also receive support from volunteer tutors who assist with learning, homework, and skills like reading, writing, STEM, and financial literacy. Read the Student Success Programs for Children and Youth for more information.
Adult Literacy and Skills Support: Volunteers support adults from diverse backgrounds in improving their reading, writing, math, and essential workplace skills. Many of these adults either didn’t complete high school or graduated without the skills needed to further their education. In some communities, there are also opportunities to work with individuals with developmental disabilities. Learn more in the 2024 Annual Report.
Support for Newcomers: Volunteers help newcomers to Canada improve their language skills and adapt to their new lives. This has been the backbone of our work since the organization began.
Whether you have a few hours a week or more time to give, you can make a difference. See our most urgent volunteer needs or apply to volunteer and help us continue to transform lives through literacy.
Not ready to volunteer? Donate today to support literacy programs across Canada.
As United for Literacy President and CEO Mélanie Valcin says, “You don’t have or sitting on one board, to be involved in a million activities, but … two hours a week … is bringing you so much experience, expertise. You’re learning so much as well.”
Watch Mélanie’s interview with volunteer.ca.
Make an Impact: Your time and effort help improve literacy for children, youth, adults, and newcomers.
Gain Valuable Skills: Volunteering offers professional development in leadership, communication, and teamwork.
Build Connections: Volunteer with a diverse group of people and become part of a passionate community.
Flexible Opportunities: Whether online or in-person, choose volunteer roles that fit your schedule.
For more information and to apply to become a volunteer in your community, click here.
