Family Volunteering

Family volunteering involves more than one person in a household or extended family. It includes different generations in a family, volunteering together.

Family Volunteer Day celebrates it’s 30th Anniversary on Saturday, November 21, 2020. 

Family Volunteer Day is a global day of service that celebrates the power of families who work together to support their communities and neighborhoods.
This year, the needs are greater than ever before.

And though volunteering may look different, there are still so many ways to give back. Take time out with your family this season to help others and make a positive mark on the world. 

There are many ways to get involved (Points of Light)

Here are some other examples of volunteer activities that family members can participate in together:

• Serving food at a food bank
• Dropping off warm clothes during the holidays
• Reading to senior citizens
• Planting a community garden
• Walking animals at an animal shelter

Tools

We’ve created tools for families and organizations:

• Building Blocks for Family Volunteering: Tools and Resources for Organizations — This resource shows organizations how to start a family volunteering program. It includes helpful tools and draws on research.
• Building Blocks for Family Volunteering: Key Resources for Families — This tool gives families information about family volunteering. It offers volunteering ideas and shows families how to find opportunities.

Research

• Family Volunteering: A Discussion Paper — This paper looks at current trends in family volunteering. It shows organizations how to attract family volunteers.
• Family Volunteering: The Final Report — This report is based on a national survey on family volunteering that found family volunteer opportunities may attract volunteers who would not otherwise get involved.
• Fact Sheet on Building the Bridge to Family Volunteers — This document explains the characteristics of family volunteers. It points out common barriers to engaging family volunteers and offers solutions.
• Volunteer Connections: Family Volunteering – Making it Official — This manual shows organizations how to reach out to families. It teaches them how to engage families in volunteering.
• The Temple and the Tavern: A Case Study of Family Volunteering at Santropol Roulant — This report from Imagine Canada's Knowledge Development Centre explores why family volunteers are attracted to volunteering, what they find most engaging about their experiences, and what organizations can do to make volunteering more accessible and meaningful for them.