Youth CivicCorps Volunteer Program – Leadership and Community Impact Opportunity

Calling all civic changemakers!

Are you passionate about making a tangible difference in your community? CivicAction is looking for motivated young people to join Cohort 3 of the Youth CivicCorps, a leadership and volunteer program that brings together emerging leaders from across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.

CivicAction’s Youth CivicCorps Volunteer Program provides young adults (18–30) with the training, coaching, networking and real-world experience needed to step confidently into civic leadership, and build better, more affordable and inclusive cities in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA).

• A program for leaders passionate about issues of housing, affordability and economic inclusion in their communities and cities.
• Designed as a cohort experience, each participant joins a cohort of 60 young leaders aged 18-30 for a flexible 6-month program in the GTHA.
• Volunteers are matched to the organization and project they would like to work on in a team of 4-5 volunteers for a 16-week placement. Throughout the placement, volunteers participate in leadership trainings and workshops. Participants graduate with 120 hours and a Certificate of Recognition from Canada Service Corps!

Benefits

Make a Real Impact: Contribute to community-focused projects that address housing, affordability, economic inclusion, and other issues affecting the GTHA.

Develop Your Skills: Build leadership, communication, collaboration, planning, project coordination, and problem-solving skills.

Networking Opportunities: Connect with peers, community leaders, placement hosts, and subject matter experts.

Gain Experience: Add meaningful project experience to your resume or LinkedIn profile. Participants may request confirmation of volunteer hours and, following successful completion of 120 hours, a reference letter where appropriate.

Be Part of a Team: Join a supportive group of young people working toward a shared community goal.

Coaching & Support: Receive one-to-one support throughout your placement from the Volunteer Engagement Coordinator. Optional professional life coaching may also be available at the end of the program to help you think about what comes next.

Eligibility

To apply, you must:

• Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person with refugee status
• Be between the ages of 18 and 30 at the start of the program
• Live, work, or study in the GTHA
• Be able to participate in required training, placement, and check-in activities

Hours & Time Commitment

Participants complete 120 hours over six months to graduate from the program.

During the placement period, participants typically allocate approximately 7 hours per week. Time commitments may be lower during training and higher during active project periods.

Program dates and timelines will be shared during the application process.

Placements and Projects

We offer a range of in-person, virtual, and hybrid placements.

Participants will have the opportunity to co-create their project at a full-day Co-Creation Symposium.

Teams will be supported with resources and a project budget to help carry out their volunteer work.

Responsibilities

As a Youth CivicCorps volunteer, your responsibilities will include:

Project Planning and Participation: Contribute to the planning, delivery, and completion of a community-focused project related to housing, affordability, economic inclusion, or another local priority. Projects may involve research, communications, outreach, public education, resource development, or event planning.

Team Collaboration: Work with a team of four to five volunteers, contribute to shared tasks, and help create a respectful and inclusive team environment.

Planning and Organization: Work with your placement host and team to understand project goals, develop a clear plan, set timelines, and track progress.

Communication: Participate in regular team communication, meetings with your placement host, and check-ins with Youth CivicCorps staff.

Problem-Solving: Share ideas, raise questions early, and work with your team to address challenges as they arise.

Timeline

Youth CivicCorps Cohort 3 runs from August 2026 to February 2027.

• Virtual Orientation: August 12, 2026
• Pre-Placement Training: August to September 2026
• Placement: September 28, 2026 to January 29, 2027
• Program Wrap-Up: Early February 2027

Screening Process

The selection process is expected to include:

• A short online application form
• A virtual group interview for selected applicants

Virtual group interviews are expected to take place in July and August 2026.

Applications close Sunday, July 12, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

To reduce barriers, applicants may request support completing the application or ask for an alternate interview format by contacting volunteer@civicaction.ca.

Interested in Learning More?

Join us for a virtual Youth CivicCorps Information Session to learn more about the program, what participants can expect, the application process, and how Youth CivicCorps can support your leadership and community goals.

This session is open to anyone considering applying, as well as staff, family members, and community partners who support young people.

Date: Thursday, July 9, 2026
Time: 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. ET
Location/Link: Zoom, https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85100922464?pwd=FguEVuJLH4JCfBaZrkRrKPSGWOTBY…

Meeting ID: 851 0092 2464
Passcode: 480242

The session will include time for questions. You do not need to attend the information session to apply.

Important Note About Compensation and Participation Supports

This is an unpaid volunteer opportunity. Participants do not receive wages or monetary compensation for their involvement.

To help reduce barriers to participation, eligible support may be available for needs related to transportation, meals, childcare, accessibility, technology, translation, and wellness. If you are unsure whether a support may apply to you, please reach out.

About CivicAction

CivicAction is a non-partisan civic leadership organization working to build more livable and inclusive communities across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.

For more than two decades, CivicAction has brought together leaders, organizations, and communities to advance practical solutions and invest in emerging leaders. Through Youth CivicCorps, CivicAction helps young people build skills, networks, confidence, and meaningful community experience.

Our Commitment to Inclusive Recruitment

CivicAction is committed to equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging in our workplace and recruitment processes.

We encourage applications from people of all gender identities and sexual orientations, racial and cultural backgrounds, abilities, faiths, family structures, and life experiences.

Accommodations are available at every stage of the selection process. Requesting an accommodation will not negatively affect your application.

To request an accommodation, application support, or an alternate format, please contact volunteer@civicaction.ca.

AN IMPORTANT NOTE: Research shows that women and racialized candidates may be less likely to apply unless they feel they meet every qualification. If this opportunity interests you but you do not see yourself fully reflected in the posting, we still encourage you to apply or reach out to learn more.