6 Reasons to Volunteer at Youville Sharing House 

By: Mia Haddad & Léa Pouget

For the past 40 years, Youville Shaing House has opened its doors and welcomed over 10 volunteers every week who are dedicated to helping the community. Without them, our impact wouldn't be as significant. In our food bank, we like to say that just because we're a small organization doesn't mean we don't do things on a grand scale! It's even more so thanks to the work and support of our many volunteers. 

What are their missions? Volunteers primarily assist us in sorting food items, preparing and distributing fruit and vegetable baskets, as well as organizing and selling items in our thrift store. We also welcome volunteers with various skills: communication, graphic design, marketing—talents are diverse. Each individual brings their expertise and helps us enhance the visibility of our organization by contributing their ideas to develop communications.  

Discovering how a food bank operates 

Getting involved and giving back to the community

Feeling useful

What could be more satisfying than feeling that you're doing good around you? Volunteering is indeed an opportunity to give meaning to your actions and give back to the community. You are invited to join us on Tuesday afternoons, Wednesday afternoons, Thursday mornings, and Friday afternoons to help us with various tasks. There's always something to do!  

To give one's time

To connect with colleagues outside of work 

Did you know? Most major companies in Quebec have mandatory volunteer days. Corporate volunteering is not only a way to help others, but also to connect with colleagues in a different way outside the office. For example, since April 2021, we have partnered with the BNP which sends us up to 8 volunteers per week to assist us with our tasks. It's an opportunity for them to engage in team-building and networking while doing a good deed. If you're a company and you'd like to do the same, feel free to contact us! 

To meet new people

Volunteering is also a great way to meet new people who, like you, have decided to dedicate some of their time to help those in need. By coming to our organization, you'll be amazed by the family-like atmosphere you'll find here. We work, but we do it with a smile and always take the time to enjoy a cup of coffee. If you're here on the right days, you might even have the pleasure of tasting the volunteers' pancakes or enjoying a slice of cake from. Mollo or even participate in a yoga session! Who knows, it might even inspire you to bring your loved ones along? Whether you come alone, with your family, your children, or even with your colleagues from work, there is room for everyone! 

To have an experience to add to the CV 

In Quebec, volunteering is always well-regarded and can be a valuable experience to add to your CV. It demonstrates that you have dedicated your time to serving the community and have sought to learn more about a new culture. Adding a volunteer experience will showcase your values such as solidarity, mutual aid, dynamism, and adaptability. It is these actions that could make a difference, for sure!  

To taste Carole's cooking! 

A big thank you to all our exceptional volunteers who are the cornerstone of our mission at La Maison du Partage d'Youville. We are extremely grateful to them and their contribution to making our community a place of sharing, support, and mutual aid. If you wish to get involved, you too can join Youville Sharing House and make a difference for our community!