Volunteer opportunities in Ottawa

Meet local organizations at the Volunteer Fair

Ottawa Public Library

Drop in to ask Ottawa organizations about current roles. Teens are welcome, but this is an information event, not a volunteer shift; hours are not advertised for attending. Ask each organization about age rules, how to apply, and school-form signing before you volunteer.

Teen-friendly · Drop in · No hours advertised for attending

Animal advocacy workshops

Ottawa Humane Society

Learn about community cats and build insulated shelter boxes during a free, four-hour workshop. The Humane Society marks the hands-on activity as eligible for school hours and requires full attendance. The organizer lists November 23 sessions from 8 AM-noon and 1-5 PM for ages 14-18. Check registration availability on its official page and wait for booking confirmation; ask how many hours will be credited and how to get your school form signed. A four-hour workshop is not a promise of four credited school hours.

Ages 14-18 · Four-hour workshop · Credited hours: ask first

Ask about BGC Ottawa clubhouse roles

BGC Ottawa

BGC Ottawa says high-school students seeking 40 hours may have volunteer opportunities. Don McGahan lists homework help and French or math support among its needs, but a student opening is not confirmed. Check clubhouse hours, then visit and speak with a Senior Youth Worker about a suitable role. Do not use the general online volunteer form: BGC says it is not for high-school students. Ask about age rules, scheduling, supervision, and school-form signing before starting.

High-school students: ask first · East Ottawa · Hours: confirm first

Cleaning the Capital

City of Ottawa

The 2026 fall registration window has closed. Keep this official page for the next spring or fall campaign and the City's student-hours process.

Seasonal · Up to 12 hours · Registration required

City recreation, culture, and museums

City of Ottawa

Explore community centres, camps, museums, gardens, and cultural programs through the City's volunteer portal.

Ages 14+ · City programs · Many roles

Teen volunteer roles at the library

Ottawa Public Library

Ages 14-18 can apply through the Better Impact link on the library page with parent or guardian permission. Screening includes an interview and reference checks; some roles require a police check. An application does not guarantee a placement. Ask the library to confirm your role, schedule, and how completed hours are documented. Individual library events may use a separate registration process.

Ages 14-18 · Library · Teen roles

Food bank youth opportunities

Ottawa Food Bank

Volunteers must be 14+. Under-18s need a signed parent or guardian waiver. The 2026 Youth Food Security cohort is full and registration is closed. Create a Volunteer Hub profile to check eligible community-event roles. Farm roles are seasonal: under-18s need a registered volunteering adult and must contact volunteer@ottawafoodbank.ca for registration help; first-time farm volunteers also need information and training sessions. Creating a profile does not reserve a shift. Pre-register for a specific accepted shift and bring your school form; the Food Bank confirms completed community-involvement hours.

Ages 14+ · Under-18 farm roles: adult required · Parent waiver

Volunteer at Ottawa Farmers' Market

Ottawa Farmers' Market

Complete the official application and select High School / Postsecondary Community Hours if that is your goal. Choose the locations and roles that fit you; some tasks involve heavy lifting. Staff contact applicants only when accepted and a position is open. The 2026 volunteer package says the market tracks and signs completed school hours. Wait for your role and schedule before attending.

High school hours · Multiple locations · Year-round

Festival volunteer portal

Ottawa Festivals

Ottawa Festivals links to Volunteer Ottawa's festival directory. Browse each event's current role, age rules, and application process; this directory is not itself a volunteer application or a promise of hours.

Festivals · Seasonal · Big events

Volunteer on a neighbourhood harvest

Hidden Harvest Ottawa

Register as an individual to receive invitations when fruit harvests open in your chosen wards; dates are not guaranteed. Under-16s need a parent or guardian to attend and sign the waiver. Ages 16-18 may attend without an adult but still need a parent or guardian to sign the waiver. Join a specific harvest only after arranging it with the leader, and ask about actual service time and school-form signing.

Outdoors · Food · Short notice

Unity Through Service

African Canadian Association of Ottawa

ACAO's program supports Black youth in Ottawa-Gatineau through workshops and volunteer placements. Its published commitment is 120 program hours, typically 3-6 hours a week, including learning and placement activities. Complete the youth placement form on the official page and wait for an orientation invitation. Confirm eligibility, the current cohort, which activities count toward school hours, and who signs your form; 120 program hours are not a guaranteed school credit.

Ages 12-30 · Extended commitment · School credit: confirm activities

Warehouse and household support

Helping With Furniture

Use the Join our Team form on the official volunteer page and indicate that you need school hours. Choose your preferred warehouse, sorting, repair, or support roles, then wait for the team to contact you. Under-13s must bring an adult. Ask about an age-appropriate assignment, shift length, supervision, and school-form signing before attending; the page does not promise a fixed number of credited hours.

Warehouse · Placement: confirm first · Hours: ask first