Children's Aid Society

"I started volunteering with CASLM in 2018 as a Friendly Visitor. My first match was with a child going into grade 6, and we quickly bonded over our shared interests. Through our bi-weekly meetings, my goal was to offer mentorship, encourage academic achievement, and be a consistent source of support. My match was an exceptional student with a passion for reading, math, and science, and I worked to provide him with enriching opportunities and help him reach his potential. Together we got him a library card, participated in mathematics competitions, and completed science projects that were awarded medals at the local science fair… while also having fun! Since our partnership, he has shown academic success and leadership in his school. 4.5 years later, we continue to stay in touch and are working on our fourth science fair project together. Volunteering with CASLM has been a deeply rewarding experience. Every child I’ve been matched with has taught me something new. Volunteering has allowed me to develop my interpersonal skills and gain a deeper appreciation of inclusion and equity. I have connected with many individuals and formed relationships with youth, families, case workers, and fellow volunteers. I have learned more about myself, what inspires and excites me, and what it means to give back to the community in such a meaningful way. I feel very connected to the vibrant community at CASLM as a volunteer."

“Volunteering for CAS made me feel very valued and appreciated by the volunteer team. I felt like I really was able to make an impact in a child’s life. The different volunteer opportunities allowed me to use my current skills and also build upon new skills. I was able to take part in extra educational sessions which allowed me to learn new skills and further my understanding of children and families involved with CAS.”

“Volunteering for CAS as a homework helper was a great experience. Over time, I could see the improvements that the child was making and I felt like I was making a difference in my own city which was really satisfying”

“I liked that I was able to make a difference and had the ability to choose who I was matched with and how we spent our time/what worked best for both our schedules”

“I have volunteered with CAS London and Middlesex as a Child Minder, Special Events Volunteer, and, recently, a Friendly Visitor. I love working with the agency and the experience I have gained in this role. The agency offers many educational and training opportunities for volunteers as well as various ways to get involved. As a Friendly Visitor, I was able to work with the volunteer coordinator to choose a child match that I felt was best suited for my interests and experience. Then, I connected with the child, their caseworker, and their family to plan biweekly visits in the community. I had such a wonderful time building a connection with a child and experiencing different activities throughout London. I felt like I was making a difference and, as an aspiring social worker, I learned more about the profession I am looking to enter. I would recommend volunteering with Children’s Aid Society of London and Middlesex to anyone who is looking to have an impact and grow as a person!”

“I enjoyed the many relationships that I made during my time with CASLM, specifically with the children I connected with. It has been such a reward to be able to see how much they have grown during my time with them.”

“Volunteering with Children’s Aid has been one of the most rewarding gifts of my life. Knowing that I played even just a small role in making a child smile, is truly a wonderful gift. We don’t always realize how much children/youth are able to teach us! I feel grateful to have had the chance to connect with a resilient, kind, hard-working child. I have nothing but great things to say about this volunteer program. Thank you for everything!”

“I really liked the different opportunities available and being able to take part in the training. I took part in a webinar I really enjoyed. I liked the opportunity to learn more while volunteering.”