volunteering

There are many on-campus opportunities for students to volunteer their time for. Whether you volunteer your time as a tour guide, for the Red Cross, or for the drunk tank, there really are endless opportunities to learn, meet people, and pad the resume. Additionally, it's worth looking to the Kingston community to lend a hand as well. Below are a few that are well worth looking into:

Queen's Food Bank: The Queen's Foodbank is a valuable AMS service that provides food to those students in need. Located in the basement of the Journal house, the Foodbank accepts volunteers year round. They are involved in all aspects of the operation, from shopping to fundraising to marketing. Email foodbank@ams.queensu.ca to get involved.

Martha's Table: One of the most valuable volunteer experiences I had while at Queen's was working for Martha's Table. For $1 the homeless and hungry can have a fabulous meal and be surrounded by people who care. They accept volunteers at certain times throughout the year, and do expect a decent time commitment. However it's all worth it for the lifelong friendships and understanding you will gain. Call: (613) 546 0320 to get involved.

Queen's Students for Literacy: QSL is a division of Frontier College. They are dedicated to improving literacy skills in the community, and do so by tutoring everyone from children to penitentiary inmates. Competition for the jobs is quite rigorous and you are expected to donate at least six months of your time. Visit the QSL website for more information.

H'art Studio: H'art Studio provides innovative educational opportunities for adults with intellectual disabilities. The studio, located in downtown Kingston, provides a great space for these adults create mixed-media art, publish books, and more. It's very easy for students to get involved, simply visit the H'art Studio website to fill out an application.

QPID: The Queen’s Project on International Development focuses on educating Queen’s students on development issues. The club meets weekly, and meetings often feature speakers. QPID has initiated a number of projects locally and internationally with the intent to raise the quality of life of those who live in underdeveloped regions. Members have the opportunity to participate abroad in QPID initiatives, or locally in fundraising events.