Volunteering and playing an active role in your community is a source of great joy for many people, and it’s especially wonderful for seniors. It allows you to connect with others, make new friends, and have the satisfaction of knowing you’re making a positive difference in your community. Volunteering also improves self esteem and helps you feel a sense of purpose.

Here in the Yukon, there’s always something fun or meaningful to help out with. Try these six community projects and volunteer opportunities in the Yukon.

1. Be a Tutor

Yukon Learn has opportunities available to tutor adult learners. If you have at least one spare hour per week, you can help others learn how to read, write, and speak conversational English, improve their math skills, or master new computer skills. 

2. Join the Yukon Amateur Radio Association

Are you interested in helping with essential communication when regular sources of communication are down? Consider joining the Yukon Amateur Radio Association (YARA). As a member of YARA, you can use ham radios to pass on vital communications during emergencies, when other forms of communication don’t work. YARA also provides support at events like the Canada Winter Games and Klondike International Road Relay, trains new operators, and builds and operates radio receivers for emergency communications.

3. Volunteer at the Canada Games Centre

The Canada Games Centre always has a variety of volunteer opportunities available. If you love working with the public, try volunteering in customer service. Alternatively, if you enjoy helping children, volunteer with the Centre’s preschool or after school programs and camps. Prefer special events instead? Help is always needed for events like Remembrance Day, Halloween Spooktacular, and Seniors Tea!

4. Make Hospital Stays a Little Brighter

No one enjoys staying in the hospital, but you can help brighten things up as a volunteer. Sign up to help visitors and patients find their way through the hospital, or bring patients their morning coffee and have a little chat. Alternatively, volunteer in the evenings with the Books on Wheels program to bring books and magazines to patients to help make their stay more enjoyable. 

5. Help the Whitehorse Food Bank

Here at Normandy Living, our residents enjoy three delicious meals and unlimited snacks every day, but not everyone in Whitehorse is so lucky. You can help feed members of the community by volunteering with the Whitehorse Food Bank. There are lots of opportunities available, from helping grow food in the garden to raising public awareness and packing hampers. 

6. Be Part of the Rendezvous

Each year, the Yukon Rendezvous is the highlight of the winter, drawing both locals and visitors for the festivities. However, planning and running such a big festival is a lot of work! That’s why volunteers are welcome all year long! From planning and decorating to selling tickets, there’s always something to do. 

Volunteering is a great way to be active in your community, help others in need, and make meaningful connections. Plus, it feels great, too! So give some of these volunteer opportunities and community projects a try, or reach out to your favorite charities to see if they need volunteers. 

Want to learn a new skill to help you communicate as you volunteer? Join our American Sign Language (ASL) classes! Check the Activities Schedule for current times.