CAMH Corporate Volunteer program

Dozens of individual volunteers and an increasing number of companies have joined the growing list of partners in the CAMH Corporate Volunteer Program. The program aims to create partnerships with corporations to build and sustain healthy communities. Corporations and their employee volunteers work with CAMH programs to deliver a wide range of services and activities to clients. Corporate volunteers donate their time to teach art or music, produce special events, engage in beautification projects such as Sabre Holding’s clean up and new plantings in the College Street site atrium, lead yoga groups, provide academic tutoring and offer skills-sharing workshops.

Andy Guiry and Melissa Verge from Montgomery Sisam Architects prepare a Valentine’s Day breakfast for clients in the Resource Room Breakfast Club as part of their contribution to CAMH’s vibrant Corporate Volunteer Program.

“It’s important to get CAMH staff involved so that we can create meaningful volunteer opportunities for corporations and their employees. We want to ensure that we share needs and values that have mutual benefits for CAMH, our clients, staff, and the corporate citizens we partner with,” says Jim Davey, CAMH Corporate Volunteer Program Coordinator.

Clients and volunteers both benefit from the positive interaction. Although most corporate volunteer days are one-off events, it is expected that after such a successful experience many companies and individuals will request a long-term volunteer placement. Already employees from Montgomery Sisam Architects have contributed to the success of the Valentine’s Day breakfast and an art program for clients at the Queen Street site.

James Mallinson and Lyn Northey of Montgomery Sisam, volunteer their time and talents for an art workshop with clients at Queen Street.

Ten volunteers from the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) joined clients and CAMH staff at an International Women’s Day event on March 7. The PCMA included 22 employee volunteers from Fairmont Royal York, Ministry of Tourism, Ontario Nurses Association, Renaissance Toronto Downtown & Airport Hotel, Sheraton Centre, Tourism London, The Westin Harbour Castle, Absolute Conferences & Events, Inc., Hilton Toronto and Peninsula Programs.

In April, six volunteers from TD Canada Trust will help out at CAMH's Suits Me Fine clothing store.

For more information on how to become a corporate partner, please contact Jim Davey, at 416 535-8501, extension 6238.

The PCMA Network was founded in 1990 by the Professional Convention Management Association. Its original purpose was to help reduce hunger by simplifying the process of donating food leftover from conventions. It has evolved into a program promoting volunteerism within the convention and hospitality industry throughout North America. PCMA's program acts as an information clearinghouse to educate industry professionals on how to give back to their communities through meetings.