Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer Opportunities for Trinity St. Paul’s Members 2009-2010
Related to the Homeless and Others Seeking Community

This list is prepared to help TSP members and adherents who feel called to volunteer in direct service to the homeless and others seeking community.  When you call an organization to offer service we suggest you identify yourselves as from TSP.

Christian Resource Centre  Regent Park. A community ministry of the United Church of Canada.  Volunteer Coordinator: Simone McLaughlin (SimoneM@tcrc.ca) 416-363-4234 x231.  Volunteers are currently needed for food servers and cleanup at Drop-In Centre 9-1:30 daily.  More information is available at www.tcrc.ca. 

Gathering Spot: held at Walmer Road Baptist Church, 188 Lowther Ave; 416-924-1121. The program, described as “a meal and a listening ear” is held each Tuesday from 4:00 to 9:30 p.m. Contacts are Pamela Fitkin-Schmidt, one of the ministers (pfitkinschmidt@yahoo.com) and Barrie Burhoe (burhoe@idirect.com). A meal is served at 6:30 p.m. for an average of 40 persons; there is a program following (bingo, movies, crafts etc.) and an outing once a month. Volunteers are needed for meal preparation, after meal clean-up and socializing with the guests.

Food Bank: also at Walmer Road Baptist Church, is held on Mondays from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. Contacts are Peter Wilks (pete.wilks@gmail.com) and Monica Schroeder (monicaSchroeder@sympatico.ca) Peter is the evening coordinator (416-708-3486). 2-3 volunteers per week would be ideal, arriving by 5:45 to help clients select their food for a week.

Wychwood Open Door Drop-In held at St. Matthews United, 729 St. Clair Avenue West, 416-652-0857.  The Drop-in is open year-round three days a week: Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The volunteer coordinator is Kathy Biasi. The drop-in is cosponsored by six churches in the area, and last year 13,000 meals were served.  The guests are “people on the edge”.  Anyone with nursing or other health care expertise is especially welcome. Drivers to transport guests to appointments are needed.   Volunteers can also be used for the clothing exchange.

Dixon Hall is at 58 Sumach Street, 416-863-0499. Their Drop-In is five mornings a week from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon. The staff member related to homelessness is David Reycraft (647-439-7957). 

All Saints Church Community Centre is at 315 Dundas Street East (at Sherbourne), 416-368-7768.  The drop-in is open five days a week, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The contact person is Marva Wilson (marva@allsaintstoronto.com) Volunteers are needed to come once a week for four hours. If they have a particular skill to offer, it could be for an hour a week (example, leading a book club.) There is an older women’s group as well as men who drop in. Sitting and talking with these guests is the most valuable service. Other projects include the clothing room.

Out of the Cold programs.  A full list is available from John Bell. Three locations where TSP members have had contact are:

• First Interfaith OOTC at: St. Matthews United: 729 St. Clair Ave. W, (Thursday evening-Friday morning) Nov 5-Mar 25.  Coordinator is Linda Champlain.
• Eastminster United: 310 Danforth Ave. (Friday evening-Saturday morning), Nov. 6- Mar.26.
• Blythwood Baptist: 80 Blythwood Rd. (Saturday evening-Sunday morning), Nov 7 – Mar. 27.

TSP Public Witness Circle
(with special thanks to Gwyn Griffith)
10//09