Whether you’re looking to donate your time and talents to environmental conservation, health care, arts and recreation, animal care, or so much more, Volunteer Peterborough has an opportunity for you.
The not-for-profit organization is making it easy to connect with and learn about local organizations through the inaugural “Meet Your Match” volunteer fair to be held at the Peterborough YMCA from noon to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, May 8th.
Funded by the Peterborough Foundation and sponsored by Harco Enterprises, the free drop-in fair will feature booths from 40 local organizations with representatives sharing details on the work they do and how to get involved.
“There’s just something about that human connection when people look each other in the eye and talk to each other about an organization and a volunteer role,” says Lois Tuffin, herself a long-time volunteer and chair of Volunteer Peterborough’s steering committee. “We know some people prefer this approach.”
The fair complements the work of Volunteer Peterborough’s website at volunteerpeterborough.ca, an online platform described by Tuffin as “a mix between a dating site and a job site.”
Founded in 2023, Volunteer Peterborough’s goal is to overcome barriers to volunteerism by matching a person’s skillset and interests with opportunities available at community organizations. Currently, 1,000 volunteers and 120 organizations use the site to make connections.
“There are all kinds of organizations popping up that we had no idea existed even as longtime volunteers,” says Tuffin. “Now, they get to talk one-on-one with people and explore someone’s interest in the organization. Even if their skills don’t match right now, the organization might be about to start a project that they could use the help on and those conversations really just open up more doors.”
The YMCA, New Canadians Centre, United Way Peterborough and District, YES Shelter for Youth and Families, Peterborough ElderDog, Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre, and Lang Pioneer Village Museum are just a few of the many organizations that will be at the May 8th event and sharing information with prospective volunteers, who can interact with turtles, dogs, games, and more depending on the organization.
The fair, which will also include a speakers’ corner for interested organizations to connect with Volunteer Peterborough, is open to younger volunteers as well.
“We’re busing in two groups of students from Holy Cross and from Crestwood so those students will get a chance to also talk to people one-on-one and learn about what opportunities they have for their community hours and do some cool stuff,” says Tuffin.
Tuffin says volunteerism is more important than ever as many non-profits are in a “dark spot” of rebuilding following pandemic lockdowns, noting that 40 per cent of organizations lost volunteers during the pandemic, and more than half of those volunteers have not returned.
“They’re in a crisis and now their services are even more in demand because of all these things that have happened, and yet fewer bodies are able to make them happen,” she explains.
“At the same time, we know that there are people that have become disconnected throughout the last four years, and they really want community connection again. So we’re really trying to be the conduit between those people who want to share their skills and the people who desperately need them.”
VIDEO: “Meet Your Match” Volunteer Fair
Volunteer Peterborough still has some booths available for organizations interested in getting exposure and connecting with potential volunteers.
“Many agencies are stressed out and under the gun, so we’re really trying to make it as easy as possible for them to come and be part of what we do,” says Tuffin. “The return on investment is so high and we can really help.”
For more information about Volunteer Peterborough and the “Meet Your Match” volunteer fair, email info@volunteerpeterborough.ca or visit volunteerpeterborough.ca.
