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Volunteer Markham Rebrands as Volunteer Connect;York Region Expansion into new areas means more opportunities for others

For Immediate Release:
Markham, Ontario –(March 21, 2023) —Volunteer Markham, the local volunteer centre, in York Region has officially changed its name to Volunteer Connect, York Region.

This change represents the organization’s evolution and commitment to inclusion and engagement while we service the York Region South communities.

Volunteer Connect, York Region is dedicated to providing south York Region residents and volunteer organizations with leadership and resources to promote volunteerism and enrich the lives of those in our community. This is done by building meaningful partnerships by matching individuals to opportunities and connecting the private, public and non-profit sectors.

“We are excited to unveil our new name and brand which better reflects our mission and vision”, said

Arthur Chow, Chair, Board of Directors. “ As we continue to grow and expand our service with Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Stouffville as well as Markham, we want our name to be more inclusive of the entire York Region South communities.

Volunteer Connect, York Region, will continue to provide high quality services and support to volunteers and non-profit organizations throughout the southern York Region. We are committed to promoting volunteerism, building community and corporate partnerships and creating positive change for all residents including Youth, New Canadians and Seniors. As we grow in the community, we are fortunate and grateful for the generous support and sponsorships received, including: Telus, MNP, Trillium and 407ETR.

This new name and brand will be reflected in all of our marketing materials; including website, social media channels and communications. If you’re interested in learning more or wish to donate or are seeking sponsorship opportunities, please visit us at www. volunteerconnect.ca.

We are seeking volunteer nominations for our recognition program. You may nominate an individual or team prior to April 30th.

For more information, please contact;
Thanah Sriskantha
Program Manager
Volunteer Connect York Region
289-469-5346 or thanah.sriskantha@volunteerconnect.ca

Juile Bannerjea
Chief Marketing Officer,
Volunteer Connect, York Region
416-527-1804 or Julie.Bannerjea@volunteerconnect.ca

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Newcomer Housing Host Webinar

Community Connector Corrina Santos attended the Costi Housing Host Webinar Oct 19th representing Volunteer Markham and partnering with Volunteer Toronto, Volunteer MBC to inform Ukrainian newcomers about volunteering opportunities available to them and their children. Volunteering can help foster a sense of community togetherness by building relationships and networking opportunities.  

“COSTI has taken on the responsibility of organizing accommodation for Ukrainian newcomers and essential orientation and referral services in the Greater Toronto Area. A team of COSTI Housing Workers and Settlement Counsellors are ready and available to support the families.

All Ukrainian newcomer families are received by the Canadian Red Cross, given a welcome package, and transferred to either a settlement organization or to COSTI. Families are then matched by COSTI with vetted volunteer hosts for accommodation.

Once settled and feeling comfortable in their new home, families will receive short-term support with their immediate needs: help with enrolling their children in school; medical, health and financial needs, information and referral services to help access employment opportunities and the labour market and English as a Second Language classes. Our Settlement Workers also lend their support in helping Ukrainian newcomers become familiar with their new neighbourhood and community supports.”

For more information visit: www.costi.org
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Volunteer Markham receives $49,600 Ontario Trillium Foundation Grant

Markham, ON – On Friday, Markham-Unionville MPP Billy Pang met online with representatives from Volunteer Markham to hear how a $49,600 Resilient Communities Fund grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is making a significant impact on their work in the community. The Resilient Communities Fund grant program was designed by OTF to help non-profit organizations rebuild and recover from the impacts of COVID-19.

“Congratulations to Volunteer Markham for receiving, once again, the Resilient Communities Fund from Ontario Trillium Foundation,” said Billy Pang, MPP for Markham-Unionville. “With this additional grant of $49,600, I look forward to seeing many Markham residents discover their love for volunteerism and engage themselves in helping others in need.”

Since receiving the one-year grant in the spring, Volunteer Markham has been busy providing a matching service designed to help volunteers and community organizations across York Region. Funds from the grant are being used to help with staffing costs for a Volunteer Coordinator to oversee this program. In addition, the grant is helping Volunteer Markham with some administrative costs, purchasing online software licenses and doing more online advertising, website enhancement and buying new technical equipment too.

 “If we hadn’t had the funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to help do these things, we’d be in a very, very different position today,” said George Sheen Fundraising Chair of Volunteer Markham. “The new funding will take us now in in a broader direction to help reconnect better with our charity partners and with our volunteers to do things in a unique and different way that we haven’t done in the past.”

The grant is helping fulfil Volunteer Markham’s mission of building stronger communities through innovative programming that inspire, inform and connect volunteers with the organizations that need them. To learn more about Volunteer Markham’s programs or to become involved, please visit: www.volunteermarkham.ca 

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) mission is to build healthy and vibrant communities across Ontario. As an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations, last year, OTF invested nearly $209M into 2,042 community projects and partnerships, which included funding for the Government of Ontario’s Community Building Fund. Since 2020, OTF has supported Ontario’s economic recovery by helping non-profit organizations rebuild and recover from the impacts of COVID-19. Visit otf.ca to learn more.  

Link to youtube video: VM announcement of Trillium Grant 2 – YouTube

Media Contact:
Thanah Sriskantha, Program Manager
Volunteer Markham
289-469-5346
thanah.sriskantha@volunteermarkham.ca