Volunteer

We welcome you to volunteer at The Working Centre

Join over 400 others who are contributing their time and skills, and helping to shape the community of The Working Centre. The word “volunteering” doesn’t quite capture the work we do together – we are building on the idea of Common Work: the work of sustaining and supporting a creative community committed to the common good.

With over 30 projects, there are many ways to contribute and engage in community! Check out our many projects welcoming volunteers below.

Volunteering Projects

St. John's Kitchen

St. John’s Kitchen is shared space offering daily meals, coffee, and support for anyone who needs it, serving 400 people each weekday.

Volunteers help with meal prep, serving, dishes, and creating a warm, respectful atmosphere. Learn more about St. John’s Kitchen.

Volunteers are welcome Monday-Friday from 9am-4:30pm.

Interested? Email [email protected].

This commissary kitchen creates over 700 hearty meals a day for St. John’s Kitchen, Erbs Road Shelter, and King Street Shelter.

Volunteers join in with chopping, cooking, packaging meals, and cleaning up together. Learn more about Maurita’s Kitchen.

Volunteers are welcome Monday-Friday from 9am-4pm.

Interested? Email [email protected].

Fresh Grounds is a community café serving affordable food and drinks. It’s also a gathering place for art, conversation, and connection.

Volunteers help in the kitchen and with dishes, or support community events. Learn more about Fresh Ground.

Volunteers are welcome Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm.

Interested? Email [email protected].

Queen Street Commons is a community café offering a wide range of affordable, vegetarian home-style meals, snacks, desserts, and fresh-roasted coffee. 

Volunteers help with food service, with cleaning and dishes, engaging with community, and supporting community events. Learn more about QSC.

Volunteers are welcome Monday-Wednesday 8:30am-6:30pm; Thursday-Friday 8:30am-8:30pm; Saturday 10am-4:30pm.

Interested? Email [email protected].

Worth a Second Look Furniture & Housewares is a used-items retail outlet whose goal is to provide the community with low-cost furniture and houseware items. Volunteers help sort and display donated goods, support customers, and help create a welcoming and affordable shopping experience. Learn more about WASL.

Volunteers are welcome Tuesday-Friday from 9am-5pm; Saturdays from 9am-4pm.

Interested? Email [email protected].

Recycle Cycles is community bike shop where volunteers refurbish bikes to sell at affordable prices and help guide people in their own bike repairs. Learn more about Recycle Cycles.

Depending on your familiarity and comfort level, volunteers first learn on Tuesdays 10am-3pm before being able to volunteer independently Tuesday-Saturdays.

Interested? Email [email protected].

The Resource Centre is a welcoming space where job seekers receive support finding work and accessing employment resources.

Volunteers greet community members at reception, support them in their job search and provide language translation. Learn more about the Resource Centre.

Volunteers are welcome Monday–Friday from 9am-4pm.

Interested? Email [email protected].

MoneyMatters is a drop‑in service offering support with financial problem‑solving, income‑tax completion and benefit navigation.

During the yearly Income Tax Clinic in March/April and year round, volunteers assist with preparing and filing tax documents and applying for benefits. Learn more about MoneyMatters.

Volunteers are welcome Monday–Friday from 9am-4pm.

Interested? Email [email protected].

If you are not sure where you would like to volunteer, have any questions, or have a special skill or gift you would like to offer, send us an email to [email protected].

Group & Corporate Volunteer Opportunities

We are always happy to welcome groups to volunteer together at one of our projects. Whether you are a church, corporation, group of students, or just want to volunteer with your family and friends, join us!

Our St. John’s Kitchen, located at 97 Victoria St. N., can comfortably accommodate larger groups up to 6 people per session.

Groups are welcome Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 11am-1pm and 1-3pm.

Volunteering with St John’s Kitchen may look like:
  • Prepping sandwiches and snack bags, plating desserts and meals, brewing coffee
  • Preparing single-serving takeaway containers for our daily meal-service
  • Setting up tables, serving food, and coffee; engaging with community members

Donations are always appreciated but not expected.

To learn more about the projects and find a day that works for you, please reach out to us at [email protected].

If you would like to learn more about The Working Centre prior to your volunteering experience, we also offer a variety of group tours.