Volunteer Hamilton - Community News

Trees for Life launches multi-province urban greening campaign to help cool Canadian cities

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Over 40 community planting events will expand the urban tree canopy across seven provinces this year; First of 20 spring plantings kicks off April 19

Government of Canada Improves Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Services

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

This past weekend, the Honourable Senator Dr. Kristopher Wells, on behalf of the Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health, announced an investment of almost $600,000 to support the delivery of inclusive, culturally sensitive SRH services and resources to the communities across the country that need them. The announcement took place at the Positive Light Gala in Edmonton, AB, held in support of building a more inclusive and accepting society for all, including people living with HIV.

Two years after landmark report, renewed action is needed as homelessness continues to rise

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Two years after the release of her landmark report on homeless encampments, the Federal Housing Advocate continues to urge all levels of government to do more to address the human rights crisis of homeless encampments in Canada. The number of people experiencing homelessness in Canada continues to rise. Figures show the number of people living unsheltered has more than doubled in recent years – an increase of 107% between 2020-2022 and 2024. In Ontario alone, a report published in January by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario identified 85,000 people experiencing homelessness in the province in 2025. First Nations, Inuit and Métis people continue to be grossly over-represented in these numbers.

Improving the health of men and boys in Canada

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The Government of Canada is engaging provincial and territorial governments, Indigenous partners and key stakeholders to develop a Men and Boys' Health Strategy. The goal is to create supportive and safe environments, challenge harmful stereotypes, reduce stigma and encourage men of all ages to seek help when they need it. Improving the health of men and boys is a shared effort. The factors that lead to poorer health outcomes for men and boys are complex and interrelated, and don't begin in adulthood. Complete the questionnaire by June 1, 2026.

Shifting Threshold of “Serious Non-Compliance” in Canadian Charity Law

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

In Canadian tax law, being a “registered charity” is a mark of public trust and regulatory approval, granting the ability to issue official donation receipts. As the regulatory landscape evolves in 2026, there is growing concern that “serious non-compliance” is shifting from intentional wrongdoing to a focus on administrative accuracy. This trend prompts the question: must charities now not only pursue their social mission but also maintain impeccable internal controls and reporting?

Red Cap Program Teaches Children Skills to Prevent Bullying

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Across the country, The Salvation Army runs Red Cap, a program for children between the ages of eight and 12 that provides participants with tools to understand and manage their emotions, helping prevent bullying.

Canada Post Community Foundation

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The 2026 application form will be available from Monday, February 9 to Friday, February 27, 2026, at 2 pm ET. The Canada Post Community Foundation is a registered charity distributing grants to Canadian schools, charities and community organizations that provide programming to children and youth (up to age 21). Every dollar raised goes directly to recipients – Canada Post covers all administrative costs.

Breakthrough T1D Canada Mental Health and T1D Community Grants 2026

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The Breakthrough T1D Canada 2026 Mental Health and T1D Community Grants Program is an incubator initiative that provides seed funding to organizations ready to transform innovative ideas into successful projects designed to support the mental health and wellness of people living with T1D and their informal caregivers (including parents or guardians, grandparents, partners, and other support networks).    The maximum amount per grant is $35,000. Grants will be a maximum of 18 months in length, with all project activities expected to be completed in that window.

Highway of Heroes procession honours Hamilton, Ontario soldier killed in Latvia

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Hamilton’s Sebastian Halmagean made his final journey Tuesday as armed forces members, police and those from the community honoured the life of a soldier killed while serving his country in Latvia.

Paralympic Foundation of Canada’s ParaTough Cup surpasses $3 million raised following recent Calgary stop

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Over $114,000 was raised last Thursday at the ParaTough Cup, the signature fundraising event of the Paralympic Foundation of Canada, which supports Para athletes at every stage – from community programs to the podium.

Secretary of State Long announces renewed funding for tax clinics for the 55th anniversary of the CVITP

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Today, the Honourable Wayne Long, Secretary of State for the Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions, announced the renewal of the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) Grant for the next three years. This grant provides eligible community organizations with financial support to help offset the costs of hosting free tax clinics, making it easier for them to continue their important work.

Community Tennis Grants introduces two-year funding…

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

After a year of record growth, the Game. Set. Equity. Community Tennis Grants, presented by National Bank, returns in 2026 with a new two-year grant available for past recipients, as Tennis Canada and National Bank’s investment grows to $125,000.

TCAG gets a boost from Wise Guys Charity Fund

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Kids taking part in programs at the Thorold Community Activities Group (TCAG) will have a nicer place to play outdoors thanks to the Wise Guys Charity Fund. TCAG was awarded a grant of $15,000 from the St. Catharines-based philanthropic group to improve the outdoor play area at the Nick Basciano Centre on Richmond Street.

Lincoln Fire Rescue Service receives grant from Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation of Canada for critical lifesaving equipment

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500

As first responders continue to serve the Town of Lincoln, it’s important that Lincoln Fire Rescue Service remains properly equipped to handle all emergencies. Firehouse Subs Public Safey Foundation of Canada® recognized Lincoln’s need for new lifesaving equipment and recently awarded the service with a $9,893.15 CAD grant to purchase four Draeger Gas Monitors & Accessories.

CICP 2026 Surveying Begins February 4

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Surveying for the 2026 Charity Insights Canada Project (CICP) officially begins on February 4, 2026, marking the start of another year of real-time insight into the experiences of Canada’s charitable and non-profit sector.

Student-led non-profit initiative hosts free thrift event for those in need

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Students from an Edmonton high school kept a non-profit charity initiative alive with a two-day event that provided free clothing and hygiene products to anyone who needs them. Christina Daniel founded Ross Sheppard High School’s Givology in 2024 as a Grade 11 student after learning one of her peers had been facing homelessness.

Four charities stories to watch in 2026, including two happening now

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Goodbye, 2025: when it came to big announcements, 2025 was a relatively underwhelming year for Canada’s charities and non-profits. But what will 2026 hold for the sector? Below, we highlight four developments to keep an eye on in 2026. Already, two of these: the CRA’s move to “axe the fax” and the Lobbying Commissioner’s move to lower the registration threshold for organizations, are well underway.

2026: The Four Digital Strategy Imperatives for Canadian Nonprofits

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500

For Canadian nonprofits, 2026 won’t be defined by a single trend, technology, or threat. It will be defined by how well organizations adapt to an environment where demand continues to rise faster than capacity, fundraising models are shifting, digital transformation is uneven, and donors are more diverse in identity and expectation than ever before. In our work at Salytics, we see these pressures playing out in every engagement, from small social service agencies to large federated institutions and they are reshaping how leaders set strategy.

‘Strike Out Cancer’ goes national as mortgage industry aims to raise $1M in 2026

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The mortgage industry is once again lacing up its bowling shoes and taking another spin in a collective effort to “Strike Out Cancer” in late February.

A Newcomer’s Story of Strength and Courage (WATCH)

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Isaac, a caregiver student originally from Kenya, shares his journey of coming to Canada in search of a better future for his family. Arriving in Canada with only one small bag and little support, Isaac faced intense isolation, cold weather, financial hardship, and emotional distress.

Children's Miracle Network: $1B Health For All Kids Pledge

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Children’s Miracle Network® (CMN), the charity that focuses solely on raising funds to support the health of all kids, launched The Health For All Kids Impact Pledge today to demonstrate its participation in providing the necessary resources to support the country’s pediatric healthcare demands amid unstable funding sources. The $1 billion, two-year fundraising initiative greatly accelerates the heritage of CMN’s contributions-to-date, as the organization has raised nearly $10 billion for its network of 170 children’s hospitals across the United States and Canada since its inception in 1983.

Canadian charity opens relief hub for children in Gaza

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500

As advocates warn the world is turning away from the suffering in Gaza, a Canadian charity is opening a relief hub to give traumatized children in the enclave access to basic mental health supports and education. “The need is so urgent,” said Usama Khan, an adviser to the head of Human Concern International, a Muslim charity based in Ottawa.

January 2026 – Grants for Black-led Nonprofits and Charities

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Welcome to a new year with a new set of Grants Black-led/ B3 Non profits and Charities. Whether you’re launching a new initiative, scaling your impact, or need support for infrastructure and capacity-building, here some current grants to help fund your Black non profit in Canada to check out this month:

CNIB Partners With THE TEN SPOT® To Launch Braille Nails in Support of Braille Literacy

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500

January is Braille Literacy Month in Canada, a time to recognize braille as a cornerstone of literacy, learning, and independence for people who are blind, Deafblind, or have low vision. That’s where your hands can help. Funds raised through Braille Nails will help support CNIB’s braille literacy programs, ensuring they have access to instruction, materials, and tools that allow them to learn to read and write independently. Just as we would never question the importance of print literacy for sighted children, children who are blind deserve the same foundation for success.

Thousands of domestic abuse survivors have gotten a fresh start thanks to this charitable organization

Sat, 03 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Organizations that support victims of domestic abuse say their services are in high demand both before and after the holidays. Shelter Movers is a national charity that offers free relocation and storage to survivors seeking a brand-new start.

Young Donor Teams Up with The Salvation Army to Keep Children Warm

Fri, 02 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500

What started with a single $5 donation has now become an annual tradition for Owen Hewett, a 12-year-old from Napanee, Ont., who is passionate about ensuring less fortunate children have appropriate winter wear each Christmas.

$15K raised so far for local food banks in CBC Hamilton’s Make the Season Kind campaign

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

More than $15,000 has been raised for local food banks in CBC Hamilton’s Make the Season Kind campaign so far this month. As of Wednesday morning, the annual fundraiser, which began Dec. 5, had raised $15,408.37, according to Hamilton Food Share (HFS).

Ontario Public Service Employees Raised $1.75M

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Celebrating an Incredible Year of Giving – Thank You for Making 2025 Unforgettable! As 2025 comes to a close, we’re reflecting on an extraordinary year for Federated Health Charities – and it’s all thanks to YOU, our incredible community of Ontario government employees, volunteers, and donors.

Tax-Deductible Year-End Gifts Make Twice the Impact for People In Need

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Many individuals seeking support have turned to The Salvation Army for food, clothing and practical assistance, with more than three million visits reported last year in Canada and Bermuda. Donors continue to play a crucial role in helping The Salvation Army provide essential services in 400 communities across Canada.

Some of the most interesting people we met in 2025, from a teen inventor to a winning Muay Thai fighter

Thu, 25 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Every December, we remind you of some of the most interesting stories CBC Hamilton shared throughout the year.

The year 2025 was another filled with stories about local people doing remarkable and inspiring things — from a barber rebuilding his life to an artist-turned-fighter to a photographer who was in the right place at the right time earlier this year.

Canadians giving less to charity now than before, study finds

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Charitable giving in Canada is on the decline, according to the Fraser Institute’s latest generosity index, which analyzed tax returns to track private donations across the country. The study shows that fewer Canadians are donating, and the value of donations has also fallen.

Canada advances First Nations-led new path forward on long-term reform of the First Nations Child and Family Services Program

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

The Government of Canada is committed to advancing long-term reform alongside First Nations across the country—so child and family services put children, families, and communities at the centre of care. Today, the Honourable Mandy Gull-Masty, Minister of Indigenous Services Canada, announced that the Government of Canada will be submitting a detailed plan to the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT) to reform the First Nations Child and Family Services (FNCFS) program — one that respects regional approaches while operating within a coherent national framework.

Protecting fresh water: Canada Water Agency invests over $4.5 million in 39 new projects

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Today, the Honorable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Nature and Minister responsible for the Canada Water Agency, announced over $4.5 million in funding for 39 new freshwater projects.

Hamilton cat shelters and rescues are struggling to keep up, here's how you can help

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

According to the Hamilton/Burlington SPCA, the stray cat population was between 30,000 and 45,000

Charitable giving on the decline in Canada

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

There would have been 1.5 million more Canadians who donated to charity in 2023—and $755.5 million more in donations—had Canadians given to the same extent they did 10 years prior

Salvation Army Christmas campaign down nearly 50 per cent as kettles go unstaffed

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Nine days before Christmas, the Salvation Army is launching a desperate appeal for volunteers. The agency reports its seasonal goal is off by nearly 50 per cent, simply because of a lack of people to staff its Christmas kettles.

How culture shapes volunteerism in Canada

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

A recent Statistics Canada report shows differences in volunteerism rates by race and immigration status. About 70 per cent of racialized Canadians volunteered in 2023, compared with 74 per cent of white Canadians. Both groups were significantly more likely to volunteer informally, by directly helping people, than to volunteer formally with an organization.

Lorem Ipsum News

Sun, 30 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Lorem Ipsum News

Oshawa calling on volunteers for next downtown clean-up

Wed, 15 Sep 2021 00:00:00 -0400

Oshawa residents, businesses and local organizations are encouraged to pitch in September 18 for the second of three scheduled clean-ups of the city’s downtown. The first clean-up on August 14 was successful and city officials are hoping they can get an even bigger turnout this Saturday.

Habitat for Humanity building new townhomes in Oshawa

Fri, 20 Aug 2021 00:00:00 -0400

Affordable housing is a challenge for any city. Now the city of Oshawa is trying to tackle the issue, partnering with Habitat for Humanity GTA to build new 50 new townhouse units in the South end.

City looking to honour local volunteers

Wed, 10 Feb 2021 00:00:00 -0500

The City of Oshawa is looking to recognize local volunteers who contribute to community-based organizations. Individuals must be nominated for recognition by their volunteer organization. Each organization can nominate two individuals annually.

City of Oshawa looking for volunteers to help with diversity, equity and inclusion

Sat, 09 Jan 2021 00:00:00 -0500

The City of Oshawa is looking for people to join their newest consultative committee – the Community Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. The committee’s goal is to develop a community-driven model for supporting the implementation of the Diversity and Inclusion Plan.

Oshawa firefighters distribute food boxes to 100 local families

Mon, 27 Jul 2020 00:00:00 -0400

Partnering with Global Medic, Oshawa firefighters dropped of food boxes to 100 families in need. Tiffany Wallace, a dispatcher with Oshawa Fire Services who helped organize the project, explains the food came from Toronto through a partnership with GlobalMedic and Hand Up Toronto.

Meet the volunteers sewing masks for hospitals and nursing homes

Wed, 01 Apr 2020 00:00:00 -0400

Teresa Shaver used to sew about once a week. Now she does it every day to help fight the spread of COVID-19. The Oshawa, Ont., woman is one of the founding members and co-ordinators of Canada Sews, a volunteer organization that's making homemade masks for Canadian health-care facilities and communities.

A good time was had by over 6,500 at Whitby's Hometown Hockey

Tue, 31 Dec 2019 00:00:00 -0500

They came by the thousands over this past weekend to celebrate hockey in Whitby. Rogers Hometown Hockey, the travelling celebration of Canadian hockey that hits a town every weekend during the NHL hockey season, drew more than 6,500 residents, minor hockey players and members of the community to events at the Iroquois Park Sports Centre.

Oshawa, Ont. business helps brighten the holidays for youth at The Refuge

Mon, 23 Dec 2019 00:00:00 -0500

Christmas is only sleeps away, and while the anticipation is building for many youth, it isn’t for all. A couple of businesses decided to brighten the holidays for some of the children who need it most, as they prepared a meal and gave away hygiene items at The Refuge in Oshawa Monday.

New organization focused on tree planting, promoting sustainability

Fri, 20 Dec 2019 00:00:00 -0500

A newly created organization in Oshawa is looking to motivate residents to get involved in environmentally-friendly and sustainable activities. Durham Trees For Life is the first Ontario-based chapter of The Global Foundation For Social Harmony and Sustainable Development (GFoundation).

‘We’re meant to connect’: Oshawa, Ont. man counters holiday depression through volunteering

Fri, 20 Dec 2019 00:00:00 -0500

It may feel like the most wonderful time of the year for some, but for others, the holidays can be filled with loneliness and depression. But one Oshawa man has found a way to thwart those blues. “Just another day,” said Kevin Owens, a volunteer at St. Vincent’s Kitchen.

Whitby, Ont., volunteer pays it forward during Salvation Army Kettle Campaign

Tue, 17 Dec 2019 00:00:00 -0500

After receiving support from the Salvation Army Kettle Campaign to get back on her feet, a Whitby woman is now paying it forward. This marks the first year Lori MacNeil will be collecting donations for the campaign.

Holidays are the purrrfect time to adopt a pet

Wed, 11 Dec 2019 00:00:00 -0500

With the holidays just around the corner, the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society is asking the public to add one more special someone to their holiday list. The organizations have launched iAdopt for the Holidays, a national adoption campaign to find homes for as many animals as possible during a time of year when families are together and can help their new pet settle in.