Volunteers are at the heart and soul of what we do at Gordon Neighbourhood House

100+ Active Volunteers

50+ Volunteer Programs

Your dedication and passion breathe life into our community, creating a welcoming space. Every time you lend a hand, your impact creates ripples. From community lunch programs to organizing engaging events for families, your contributions as a volunteer can spark joy and bring hope to those who need it most.

Complete the volunteer form.

Attend an information session.

Complete a background check.

Start volunteering.

Online Volunteer Application Form

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Gordon Neighbourhood House!

How to Become a Volunteer:
1. Start by filling out our online volunteer application form (or pick up a paper copy at the front desk if you prefer).
2. Once we receive your form, we’ll send you a link to complete a free online criminal record check. After we receive your cleared Notice of Clearance, you’ll be ready to join us as a volunteer!
3. From there, we’ll walk you through an orientation about our organization, values, and policies, and share details about the current volunteer opportunities you can get involved in.

Current Volunteer Roles:
–Community Lunch Volunteers
-Settlement Program / ESL Volunteers (multiple roles)
-Meal Delivery Volunteer
-West End Family Place Volunteers
-Family Program Support Volunteers
–Childminding Support Volunteers

Community Lunch Volunteers (multiple shifts)
Community Lunch Volunteers are an essential ingredient of our community lunch program—we couldn’t host this program without you! Volunteers work alongside our skilled Community Chef and prepare ingredients, cook meals, set-up and take-down our lunchroom, serve meals, and wash and sanitize utensils and dishes.

Key Responsibilities:
-Facilitate the Community Lunch program for up to 30 participants
– Follow Foodsafe and sanitary food handling guidelines at all times
– Ensure a safe, accessible, inclusive, and welcoming environment
– Work as part of a dedicated team of staff and volunteers
– Perform a wide variety of tasks involved with preparing and serving foods and beverages Essentials Duties and Requirements
– Tidy appearance and good personal hygiene – Dependable and punctual – Courteous, personable, and friendly manner – Assist with setting up and taking down our community lunchroom
– Assist with meal preparation and cooking
– Cleaning, washing, and sanitizing program equipment, utensils, and dishes
– Set tables and place settings
– Welcome and interact with participants
– Serve food and refreshments

Preferred Skills and Experience:
– FoodSafe Certificate or equivalent training
– Food service and hospitality experience
– Home kitchen and cooking knowledge and experience

If you are interested in volunteering for as a Community Lunch Volunteer, please complete our online Volunteer Application Form.

Settlement Program for Newcomers
The Settlement Program at Gordon Neighbourhood House supports Temporary Foreign Workers, Refugee Claimants, Provincial Nominees awaiting Permanent Residency, Naturalized Citizens, Post-secondary International Students, and CUAET (Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel) visa holders. The program provides information on government systems (healthcare, education, housing, etc.), workshops, referrals to government and community services, as well as one-on-one and group support.
We are currently looking for ESL Teacher Volunteers for two exciting opportunities within our Settlement Program:

Weekly Conversation Classes – Substitute Teacher
Schedule: Once a week on the same day, preferably Friday evenings from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Please note: We are open to rescheduling the existing group if the substitute teacher’s availability does not align with this time.
Role: The volunteer teacher will organize and plan the class agenda, with flexibility to use materials such as printed handouts, slides, and a projector. The primary focus is on improving speaking skills.
Group Size: 10–15 regular participants, ranging from upper beginner to intermediate levels.
Session Duration: 1.5 hours.

Two Options:
· Temporary Coverage: Cover our regular teacher during the following periods: mid-March to April 17, and May 8 to early July.
· On-Call Substitute Teacher: Available to step in as needed to cover occasional absences.

English Tutor (Mini-Groups)
Schedule: Preferably on the same day each week or on a biweekly basis.
Role: The volunteer tutor will work with one or two students at a time. Students will be paired based on similar English proficiency levels, allowing us to support more newcomers while providing a personalized learning experience.
Group Size: 1–2 students.
Session Duration: 1–1.5 hours.
Qualities and Qualifications
· Enjoys working with people from diverse backgrounds
· Passionate about helping newcomers improve their language skills and make a positive impact in their lives
· Patient and reliable
· Enthusiastic and energetic
· Previous ESL teaching experience is an asset
Additional Requirements
· A Criminal Record Check clearance (free and completed through Gordon Neighbourhood House) is required for all volunteers.
Benefits and Recognition
· Reference letter after consistent volunteering
· Community and network building
· Experience working with newcomers
· Yearly recognition events

If you are interested in applying for these volunteer positions with our settlement team, please email yuliia@gordonhouse.org and kindly include your resume along with a brief summary of your background or skills.

Meals Delivery Volunteer
As a Meals Delivery Volunteer, you will be delivering high-quality, frozen meals to the homes of
seniors who face intersecting health, mobility, and financial barriers to food access.

Key Responsibilities:
Pick up meals in insulated bag and make food deliveries according to a route listing specific meal recipients (west end).
Follow Foodsafe and sanitary food handling guidelines and any instructions provided by
staff on making food deliveries.
Be polite, compassionate and kind older adults receiving meals and report any
feedback from meal program participants or concerns to staff promptly.
Return insulated bag GNH staff after completing route of meal deliveries.

Requirements:
Able to follow a specified delivery route and to complete it in a timely manner.
Able to physically stand, walk, kneel, bend, and move and lift 25 pounds to make meal deliveries.
Able to assist with meal packaging.
Able to maintain a tidy appearance and good personal hygiene.
Must be dependable and punctual, courteous, personable, and friendly.
Complete volunteer application form and Criminal Record Check.

If you are interested learning more about this volunteer position with our seniors team, please email us at welcome@gordonhouse.org.

West End Family Place Volunteers
This role includes supporting toddler playtimes (parent participation) with set-up/clean-up, interacting with kids and families, leading a circle time (optional). No experience working with children necessary.
Program schedule: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 9:30 am – 11:30 am (volunteers start at 9 am)

Family Program Support Volunteers
This role includes supporting special initiatives and programs that vary each month with set-up/clean-up, minimal food prep (examples: Single Mothers’ Connection Dinner, Family Breakfast, Art Workshops, etc.).
No experience working with children necessary.
Days and times vary.

Childminding Support Volunteers
This role includes supporting staff childminder with minding children ages 2+ while parents participate in programs in another room. Experience working with children preferred, but not required.
Days and times vary.

If you are interested in applying for volunteer positions in our family programs or childminding, please email us at familyplace@gordonhouse.org.

Our Volunteer Roles

Community Lunch Volunteers

Everyone is invited to a community lunch at Gordon Neighbourhood House on Mondays at 12pm. Community Lunches are an opportunity for community members to enjoy a meal together, meet new people, and catch up with friends in a casual environment. We are always looking for volunteers who can help cook meals, serve participants, and clean on Mondays and occasionally for special events.

Seniors’ Program Volunteers

We are looking for committed volunteers to assist with a wide variety of activities that are provided and delivered within our impactful seniors’ programming. This includes volunteers for lunches for seniors on Tuesdays and Thursdays, social programs that support seniors, workshops targeted for seniors and out trips and various recreational activities for seniors (Qi Gong, Karaoke, Gardening, Fitness, Technology Tips, Crafty Neighbours, Matinee Movies, Book Club, Gen Yoga, Travel Tales, etc).

Family Place Volunteers

Whether you’ve worked with kids, studied early child development, or want to gain more experience, your unique skills are welcome! You can support our Family Place program with general assistance, family drop-ins, childminding, special skills, and events. We’re always looking for volunteers for our parent-participation toddler drop-ins, held most mornings. Previous ECE experience or current studies are preferred but not required for all roles.

Community Garden Volunteers

Gordon Neighbourhood House has over several garden plots spread across the West End. Volunteers learn gardening skills and take on the responsibility of stewarding our garden spaces.

Community Clean Up Volunteers

Participants and volunteers are always welcome to join our Community Cleanups as we keep the West End clean and vibrant. Community cleanups last for about two hours and commences and ends at Gordon Neighbourhood House and generally occur
on Saturdays between April and September, and at various times throughout the year for organized groups.

We believe that everyone has a skill to share! We are open to having volunteers who can share their skills with the community through facilitating in-person classes, groups, or workshops.

Community Advisory Board Volunteers

Our community advisory board offers valuable neighbourhood insights and guidance, ensuring that our organizational activities align with the needs and priorities of the community. This role is for those who are interested in developing a strategic plan for Gordon Neighbourhood House, work with GNH to provide leadership in the local community and ensuring that the direction of GNH is in keeping with current and future needs in Vancouver’s West End. Please reach out to a member of our leadership team should you wish to volunteer in this capacity.

Have Any Questions?

If you require additional information, please call our front desk at (604) 683-2554, or email Jim at jim@gordonhouse.org