Edmonton non-profits seeing shortage in volunteers

Just as National Volunteer Week gets underway, non-profits are sounding the alarm over a shortage of helping hands.

Nationally, about 67 per cent of organizations are reporting a shortage of new volunteers, and 42 per cent say volunteers can’t commit long-term.

“Definitely an alarming trend we’re seeing right now,” says Megan Conway, president and CEO of Volunteer Canada. Conway expresses there is something for everyone out there, and hopes National Volunteer Week will encourage people to start volunteering.

The Alberta Aviation Museum says finding volunteers is often a challenge because some positions require highly skilled labour.

“We do find volunteers in the trades, often retired, who are a great fit here, but generally we do have a large influx of volunteers who are interested because it is a unique place to volunteer,” says Erica d’Haene, operations director at the Alberta Aviation Museum.

She says there are many volunteer opportunities which can include cleaning and restoring aircraft, as well as being a tour guide through the museum.

“We get a lot of different applications and I do my best to place people where their interests lie, and where their skills lie.”

The Museum currently has about 80 volunteers, and says they have reached their pre-pandemic volunteer numbers, but are always looking for more hands on deck.

Meanwhile, another non-profit, Dogs With Wings, is working tirelessly to make sure their pups are set up for success. However, resources are strained.

“Our volunteering program is unique in the way that it’s a 24/7 job,” explains Elise Darwish, communications coordinator at Dogs with Wings.

Dog with Wings provides independence for people with disabilities by providing them with service dogs, and volunteers are needed each step of the way.

“You take the dog home, they are essentially a part of the family, and with puppy raising, you have to essentially have them with you 24/7. Your job is to socialize them, and train them, so our volunteers who take on puppies is a very big job, and we need them. They are our backbone and basically start the dogs off on the right foot in our programs,” said Darwish.

“The best part of volunteering is when they do get placed, and you get to see all that hard work you have done, and you get to pass on that dog to someone who truly needs them, and they will change their life, it is super rewarding.”

Volunteer programs at Dogs with Wings include puppy raisers, adult dog raisers, and kennel assistants. While it can be time-consuming, Annaka Cook, who is a volunteer, says it’s worth every second “I find it is so important to give back to the community. It fills your day, it gives you a purpose every day,” she says. “But the big reward is watching them as they are training and learn to be the assistant dogs that they are.”

That’s just a small glimpse of the many volunteer roles waiting to be filled at non-profits. Conway says many organizations are beginning to create micro-volunteering positions to accommodate people’s busy lifestyles.

“Organizations are starting to take you in small snippets of time, whether it’s 15 minutes, half an hour, whatever works for you,” she says.

Conway hopes National Volunteer Week can encourage people to lend a helping hand and says there’s an opportunity out there for everyone. “You just need to have an interest in connecting with one another or with the community.”

The Edmonton Chamber of Voluntary Organizations will be holding a Volunteer Fair on Saturday, where you can explore hundreds of volunteer opportunities, at dozens of non-profits and charities in the city.