A volunteer pouring soup into a cup, and smiling.

Volunteer with Us

We’re more than a shelter - we’re a launchpad for new beginnings.

Discover how your skills, time and compassion can help survivors rebuild with dignity and safety.

You’re the Help Survivors Need

When a survivor is forced to flee violence, they often leave with nothing but the hope that someone will help. You can be that someone.

Ways to Volunteer

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Corporate Teams

Better your team’s connection, while bettering the lives of survivors.

Consider hosting your next team-building event with a day of volunteering at Ernestine’s.

Our team volunteer experience offers your employees the chance to develop new skills and perspectives while connecting with each other and the Ernestine’s community. Visit our corporate partnerships page to learn more.

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Student Placement

Earn your volunteer hours by helping us transform lives beyond violence.

Each year, we welcome promising students to earn their school credits or grow their post-secondary or work opportunities through meaningful volunteer experience. Volunteer opportunities can include:

If you’re interested in learning more about student volunteer opportunities, email engagement@ernestines.ca.

Two volunteers helping put away clothing.

Shelter Volunteer

Join an incredible team while creating real impact for survivors.

The gift of your time, skills, and compassion directly helps survivors give themselves and their children stability, healing, and a path out of violence. To learn more about becoming a shelter volunteer, email engagement@ernestines.ca.

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Committees/Board of Directors

Lend your leadership to our life-saving mission.

Ernestine’s Board of Directors and working committees are made up of passionate community members - just like you - who give their time, expertise and networks to advance our vision of a world free from violence.

We welcome expressions of interest from people with experience in:

  • Governance

  • Finance

  • Legal Advocacy

  • Marketing and communications

  • Gender-based violence prevention

  • Community or lived experience

If you’re ready to lead with purpose and help shape Ernestine’s future, we’d love to hear from you. Please email engagement@ernestines.ca to learn more about how to apply.