Formerly Volunteer Markham

About Volunteer Connect York Region

WHO WE ARE

Land Acknowledgement

Volunteer Connect York Region acknowledges that the land on which we operate is the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples, and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. We also acknowledge that Markham, Richmond Hill, and Vaughan are covered by Treaty 13 with the Mississaugas of the Credit and the Williams Treaties signed with multiple Mississaugas and Chippewa bands.

About Us

At Volunteer Connect, we strive to connect our community members with programs, services and opportunities that helps them to contribute and make meaningful connections that foster inclusion and a sense of belonging. We embrace and reflect the rich and diverse composition of the York region community.

Our Mission

We provide south York Region residents and volunteer organizations with leadership and resources to promote volunteerism and enrich the lives of those in our community.

Volunteer Connect’s Registered Charitable Number: 118968338 RR0001

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Our Vision

An engaged and caring York Region where our youth become volunteers for life and residents are engaged in the community.

Operational Excellence
Design and implement optimized solutions that maintain compliance and drive Volunteer Connect's operational needs.
Service Leadership
Continuing to develop and deliver innovative services to meet the long-term needs of citizen volunteers and organizations.
Client Centricity
Build strong relationships with residents and organizations to better understand, retain, and grow their volunteering needs.
Financial Health
Ensure a financially healthy Volunteer Connect that is best positioned to deliver new and robust programs and services to clients.
Fundraising
Grow revenue to fund initiatives to deliver on volunteering needs.

50 Years of VCYR

1974

Information Markham and Volunteer Centre (IMVC) Incorporated

1974

1976

Info Markham became a Registered Charity with CRA

1976

2008

Change the World Ontario Youth Challenge was funded by the Ministry in partnership with Ontario Volunteer Centre Network (OVCN) –goal was to have youth volunteer for 3 hours in a 6 week timeframe around Volunteer Recognition Week in April

2008

2017

Final Year (10 years) of CTW funding and formal Provincial Program. CTW Markham grew to include over 2000 youth volunteering over 10,000 hours in a six week time period. NOTE: Most of this growth was seen in the final 3 years going from having 6 events to over 40 opportunities for youth to engage in.

2017

2018

CTW Markham continued on independently as a youth lead/run initiative

2018

2019

Info Markham rebranded to Volunteer Markham

2019

2020

VM moved to a virtual environment and focused only on Volunteerism (no longer an information referral service)

2020

2023

Volunteer Markham rebranded to Volunteer Connect: York Region

2023
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What We Do

We help to connect York Region residents with volunteer opportunities.

We provide local community service organizations with a platform to promote their volunteer roles.

We share information about community service organizations.

We support youth volunteerism and leadership.

We promote local community events.

Volunteer Connect York Region is proud to have adopted the Canadian Code for Volunteer Involvement.

What We Do

We help to connect South York Region residents with volunteer opportunities.

We provide local community service organizations with a platform to promote their volunteer roles.

We share information about community service organizations.

We support youth volunteerism and leadership.

We promote local community events.

Volunteer Connect York Region is proud to have adopted the Canadian Code for Volunteer Involvement.

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Our Values

These are the 5 core values at Volunteer Connect that drive our work and help us to deliver on our mission.

Collaboration

Working together to support volunteerism.

Respect​

Recognizing diverse views and experiences.

Caring​

Fostering an empathetic culture that builds trust and produces exceptional results​.

Excellence​

Striving to go above and beyond to provide the best possible volunteer experience.

Inclusion​

Creating a welcoming atmosphere for every citizen for a better, more connected York Region.

Professional Affiliations

Land Acknowledgement