Volunteer
Centred Content
Volunteers are valued members of our team! Each day, volunteers give their time to make a difference in the lives of children, youth, and their families.
Volunteers play an important role in the services Huron-Perth Children’s Aid Society provide. Volunteer contributions provide an important link between the agency and the community that we serve.
Why Volunteer with HPCAS?
Volunteers at HPCAS make a difference in the lives of children and youth by:
- helping them to stay connected with their families and additional supports
- supporting learning and the development of important academic and life skills
- providing safety and security when in our care
- building positive experiences and demonstrating the act of caring
Centred Content
Steps to Becoming a Volunteer with HPCAS
If you have questions or are interested in becoming a volunteer with Huron-Perth Children’s Aid Society, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at 519-271-5290 or 1-800-668-5094 ext. 2341 or teamvolunteer@h-pcas.ca
After speaking with our Volunteer Coordinator, the following must be completed:
- HPCAS Volunteer Application Package
- Children Protection Information Network Record Check
- Criminal & Vulnerable Sector’s Police Check
- 3 non-familial Reference checks (at least 2 professional)
- Additional signed agreements of understanding pertaining to the volunteer role
- Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act – online training
All volunteers must be at least 18 years of age, with the exception of drivers who must be a minimum of 21 years old.
Current Opportunities
This position is the thread of our agency. Driver’s help transport children and youth to access visits, school and appointments. This position is very flexible, and mileage is reimbursed.
The Ignite program is a creative learning program designed to Ignite Curiosity, Ignite Creativity and Ignite Confidence. As a Mentor you will be paired with a child to explore fun weekly activities hosted by the Ignite Program at the Stratford site. Engage together in science experiments, baking, creative art and more.
The Ignite Program is a blend of group programming and individual connections between the Mentee and the assigned Ignite Mentor. The Ignite Mentor and Mentee will spend quality time building connection and enjoying similar interests together in the community. The Mentor will serve as a positive role model in the child’s life. At the end of each month, all enrolled Mentor’s and Mentee’s will gather in Clinton for a creative group program hosted by staff. This blend of programming encourages connection, community, and friendships for everyone in the Ignite Program.
In the Garden Mentor role, you will be responsible for transporting children and youth to the Stratford Community Garden to work in the garden together. Each week, your duties will include planting, harvesting, weeding, watering, and general maintenance. All tools and supplies will be provided for you. In this program, we strive for the Garden Mentor to share their knowledge and passion for gardening with a child. It is an opportunity for leaning and to build connections and lifelong skills.
This program strives to create lasting summer memories for children and youth in our communities. As a Summer Club Volunteer, you will be matched with a local child in your area and enjoy weekly one on one summer outings together. Adventure to neighboring towns and enjoy exploring all Huron-Perth has to offer. Activities can include swimming, nature walks, community events, ice cream visits, crafts in the park and more!
Winter Club is a program designed to keep children and youth engaged and active in the winter months! As a Winter Club Volunteer, you will be matched with a local child in your area and enjoy weekly one on one winter outings together. Activities can include winter walks, swimming, out for hot chocolate, library visits, skating and more.
Provides unique support based on a specific need and volunteer skill set.
If you are a B.Ed student wishing to gain Community Leadership Experience, please apply directly to Team Volunteer teamvolunteer@hp-cas.ca to learn more about available volunteer positions that will meet your program requirements.
Let’s Get Social
6 hours ago
This week our team stepped out of the office and headed to the ball diamond for our second annual Staff vs. Management baseball game! ⚾
It was a great chance to connect outside of our day-to-day work, share some laughs and enjoy a bit of friendly competition.
Leadership was up …Read moreby four heading into the bottom of the ninth, but staff rallied back with a game-tying home run to complete the comeback!
Final score? A tie. Looks like the imaginary-but-very-shiny trophy is still up for grabs.
A big thank you to Angela for planning the day and capturing every play and smile along the way.
And to the smoked burgers and fries: you were the real MVPs.
See you next year for the rematch!
#HPCAS #TeamHPCAS
This week our team stepped out of the office and headed to the ball diamond for our second annual Staff vs. Management baseball game! ⚾
It was a great chance to connect outside of our day-to-day work, share some laughs and enjoy a bit of friendly competition.
Leadership was up …Read moreby four heading into the bottom of the ninth, but staff rallied back with a game-tying home run to complete the comeback!
Final score? A tie. Looks like the imaginary-but-very-shiny trophy is still up for grabs.
A big thank you to Angela for planning the day and capturing every play and smile along the way.
And to the smoked burgers and fries: you were the real MVPs.
See you next year for the rematch!
#HPCAS #TeamHPCAS
2 days ago
Our Children's Clothing Swap is coming up on Tuesday, October 20!
Bring gently used clothing your child has outgrown and take what you need. It's a great way to connect with other caregivers in the community while making sure children have what they need for the season ahead.
…Read more
📅 Tuesday, October 20, 2026
⏰ 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
📍 Britannia Street Community Room, 200 Britannia St, Stratford
No registration required – just drop in!
#HPCAS #ClothingSwap #Community #Stratford
Our Children's Clothing Swap is coming up on Tuesday, October 20!
Bring gently used clothing your child has outgrown and take what you need. It's a great way to connect with other caregivers in the community while making sure children have what they need for the season ahead.
…Read more
📅 Tuesday, October 20, 2026
⏰ 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
📍 Britannia Street Community Room, 200 Britannia St, Stratford
No registration required – just drop in!
#HPCAS #ClothingSwap #Community #Stratford
3 days ago
This week in community programming! We hope you'll join us.
Here's what's on this week:
🍳 Kinder Cookers – Mitchell – A fun caregiver-and-child cooking program for ages 0-6. Running Friday, October 9 at Mitchell Arena.
🥗 Mighty Meals – St. Marys – A …Read more4-week program for individuals or families to build confidence in the kitchen. Starts Wednesday, October 7 at Stonetown Co-op.
🍴 Kids Kitchen Connections – Stratford – A free after-school cooking program for children and youth. Starts Wednesday, October 7 at The Local Community Food Centre.
📚 Small Wonders – Milverton – A caregiver-and-child program featuring play-and-learn activities and weekly guest speakers. Running Wednesday, October 7 at Perth East Public Library.
🧘 Month of Mindfulness – Sebringville – Mindfulness activities, caregiver tips and a fun sensory craft for children ages 0-6. Starts Tuesday, October 6 at Sebringville Community Centre.
🧘 Month of Mindfulness – Wingham – Running Thursday, October 8 at EarlyON Child & Family Centre.
🤝 Circle of Security – Stratford – An 8-week caregiver program strengthening parent-child relationships. Starts Tuesday, October 6 at YMCA of Three Rivers.
All Community Engagement & Prevention programs are free. Scan the QR code, visit the link below or the link in our bio to register.
📧 CommunityEngagementTeam@h-pcas.ca
📲 519-271-5290
bit.ly/3UkHOGf
#HPCAS #CommunityProgramming #FallProgramming
This week in community programming! We hope you'll join us.
Here's what's on this week:
🍳 Kinder Cookers – Mitchell – A fun caregiver-and-child cooking program for ages 0-6. Running Friday, October 9 at Mitchell Arena.
🥗 Mighty Meals – St. Marys – A …Read more4-week program for individuals or families to build confidence in the kitchen. Starts Wednesday, October 7 at Stonetown Co-op.
🍴 Kids Kitchen Connections – Stratford – A free after-school cooking program for children and youth. Starts Wednesday, October 7 at The Local Community Food Centre.
📚 Small Wonders – Milverton – A caregiver-and-child program featuring play-and-learn activities and weekly guest speakers. Running Wednesday, October 7 at Perth East Public Library.
🧘 Month of Mindfulness – Sebringville – Mindfulness activities, caregiver tips and a fun sensory craft for children ages 0-6. Starts Tuesday, October 6 at Sebringville Community Centre.
🧘 Month of Mindfulness – Wingham – Running Thursday, October 8 at EarlyON Child & Family Centre.
🤝 Circle of Security – Stratford – An 8-week caregiver program strengthening parent-child relationships. Starts Tuesday, October 6 at YMCA of Three Rivers.
All Community Engagement & Prevention programs are free. Scan the QR code, visit the link below or the link in our bio to register.
📧 CommunityEngagementTeam@h-pcas.ca
📲 519-271-5290
bit.ly/3UkHOGf
#HPCAS #CommunityProgramming #FallProgramming
3 days ago
Circle of Security begins tomorrow and there's still time to join!
This 8-week in-person program helps caregivers better understand their child's emotional world, navigate challenging moments and build a stronger connection at home. Childminding is available so you can fully …Read morefocus.
Tuesdays, October 6 – November 24, 2026
9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
YMCA of Three Rivers – Stratford, 204 Downie St.
Scan the QR code or visit the link below to register.
keyon.ca
#HPCAS #CircleOfSecurity #EarlyON #Stratford
Circle of Security begins tomorrow and there's still time to join!
This 8-week in-person program helps caregivers better understand their child's emotional world, navigate challenging moments and build a stronger connection at home. Childminding is available so you can fully …Read morefocus.
Tuesdays, October 6 – November 24, 2026
9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
YMCA of Three Rivers – Stratford, 204 Downie St.
Scan the QR code or visit the link below to register.
keyon.ca
#HPCAS #CircleOfSecurity #EarlyON #Stratford
5 days ago
October is a great month to get outside and make the most of the last of the warm days. Before your next outing, here are a few things worth keeping in mind:
At the playground:
– Give equipment a quick once-over before children start playing – look for broken parts, sharp edges or…Read more anything that looks worn down
– Stay close, especially on climbing structures
– Younger children should stick to equipment built for their age group
– Teach children to take turns – most playground injuries happen when children are rushing or not paying attention to each other
At the park:
– Set clear boundaries so children know where they can explore
– Be mindful near roads, parking lots and water
– Fall surfaces can get slippery – wet leaves are sneaky
If you come across damaged equipment, report it to your municipality and find another spot for the day.
Getting outside is good for everyone. These small habits help make sure it stays that way.
#HPCAS #SafetyAwarenessSeries #PlaygroundSafety #OutdoorSafety
October is a great month to get outside and make the most of the last of the warm days. Before your next outing, here are a few things worth keeping in mind:
At the playground:
– Give equipment a quick once-over before children start playing – look for broken parts, sharp edges or…Read more anything that looks worn down
– Stay close, especially on climbing structures
– Younger children should stick to equipment built for their age group
– Teach children to take turns – most playground injuries happen when children are rushing or not paying attention to each other
At the park:
– Set clear boundaries so children know where they can explore
– Be mindful near roads, parking lots and water
– Fall surfaces can get slippery – wet leaves are sneaky
If you come across damaged equipment, report it to your municipality and find another spot for the day.
Getting outside is good for everyone. These small habits help make sure it stays that way.
#HPCAS #SafetyAwarenessSeries #PlaygroundSafety #OutdoorSafety
6 days ago
What a great afternoon in Goderich! We were grateful to participate in today's Service Fair, connecting with other organizations and learning about other community services and supports available in Huron County.
Events like this are a great reminder of how many resources exist in our…Read more community – and how much stronger we are when we work together. Thank you to The Salvation Army and Trinity Church for coordinating this event and bringing everyone together!
#HPCAS #CommunityPartnership #Goderich #HuronCounty
What a great afternoon in Goderich! We were grateful to participate in today's Service Fair, connecting with other organizations and learning about other community services and supports available in Huron County.
Events like this are a great reminder of how many resources exist in our…Read more community – and how much stronger we are when we work together. Thank you to The Salvation Army and Trinity Church for coordinating this event and bringing everyone together!
#HPCAS #CommunityPartnership #Goderich #HuronCounty
1 weeks ago
We operate on the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe and Attawandaron peoples. As treaty people, that comes with responsibilities we take seriously.
As a Children's Aid Society, we acknowledge the harm child welfare has caused Indigenous communities – through the …Read moreresidential school system and through legislation and practices that continue today.
Our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation means ongoing action toward better outcomes for First Nations, Inuit and Métis families.
#HPCAS #OrangeShirtDay #EveryChildMatters #TruthAndReconciliation #NDTR
We operate on the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe and Attawandaron peoples. As treaty people, that comes with responsibilities we take seriously.
As a Children's Aid Society, we acknowledge the harm child welfare has caused Indigenous communities – through the …Read moreresidential school system and through legislation and practices that continue today.
Our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation means ongoing action toward better outcomes for First Nations, Inuit and Métis families.
#HPCAS #OrangeShirtDay #EveryChildMatters #TruthAndReconciliation #NDTR
1 weeks ago
Today is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. We wear orange to honour the children who never came home from residential schools, and to stand with the survivors, families and communities who carry that loss.
As a Children's Aid Society, this day asks something specific of …Read moreus. Child welfare has caused deep, generational harm to Indigenous families – through legislation, through practice, through the same logic of removal that residential schools operated on. We acknowledge that directly. That harm didn't end with residential schools, and its effects are still felt today.
Our commitment to reconciliation means working to change that. Reducing the number of Indigenous children in care, strengthening customary care, ensuring Indigenous voices are at our board table, and building real relationships with the communities we serve are commitments we take seriously and work toward every day.
HPCAS operates on the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe and Attawandaron peoples. We recognize Treaty 29 (The Huron Tract) and Treaty 45.5 (The Saugeen Tract) and our responsibilities as treaty people.
This work is long and it requires accountability. We remain committed to it.
h-pcas.ca/reconciliation/
#HPCAS #OrangeShirtDay #EveryChildMatters #TruthAndReconciliation #NDTR
Today is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. We wear orange to honour the children who never came home from residential schools, and to stand with the survivors, families and communities who carry that loss.
As a Children's Aid Society, this day asks something specific of …Read moreus. Child welfare has caused deep, generational harm to Indigenous families – through legislation, through practice, through the same logic of removal that residential schools operated on. We acknowledge that directly. That harm didn't end with residential schools, and its effects are still felt today.
Our commitment to reconciliation means working to change that. Reducing the number of Indigenous children in care, strengthening customary care, ensuring Indigenous voices are at our board table, and building real relationships with the communities we serve are commitments we take seriously and work toward every day.
HPCAS operates on the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe and Attawandaron peoples. We recognize Treaty 29 (The Huron Tract) and Treaty 45.5 (The Saugeen Tract) and our responsibilities as treaty people.
This work is long and it requires accountability. We remain committed to it.
h-pcas.ca/reconciliation/
#HPCAS #OrangeShirtDay #EveryChildMatters #TruthAndReconciliation #NDTR
1 weeks ago
One week until Circle of Security begins! There's still time to register for this 8-week in-person program for caregivers in Stratford.
Join us starting next Tuesday, October 6 at the YMCA of Three Rivers. You'll spend eight weeks learning to better understand your child's …Read moreemotional world, support them through challenging moments, and strengthen your connection at home. Childminding is available so you can fully focus.
Tuesdays, October 6 – November 24, 2026
9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
YMCA of Three Rivers – Stratford, 204 Downie St.
Scan the QR code or visit the link below to register.
keyon.ca
#HPCAS #CircleOfSecurity #EarlyON #Stratford #ParentingSupport
One week until Circle of Security begins! There's still time to register for this 8-week in-person program for caregivers in Stratford.
Join us starting next Tuesday, October 6 at the YMCA of Three Rivers. You'll spend eight weeks learning to better understand your child's …Read moreemotional world, support them through challenging moments, and strengthen your connection at home. Childminding is available so you can fully focus.
Tuesdays, October 6 – November 24, 2026
9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
YMCA of Three Rivers – Stratford, 204 Downie St.
Scan the QR code or visit the link below to register.
keyon.ca
#HPCAS #CircleOfSecurity #EarlyON #Stratford #ParentingSupport