Volunteers make waves: recognizing our CMHA Niagara volunteers 

Every day, across Ontario, volunteers show up for their communities. Not for recognition or reward, but because they care.  

This year’s National Volunteer Week theme “Volunteers Make Waves” is all about celebrating the powerful ripple effects volunteers create in their communities. Whether it’s offering a listening ear, helping at an event or supporting someone through their mental health journey, volunteers create a wave-like momentum that touches lives and strengthens communities. 

In the mental health and addictions space, that impact is even more profound. The work of our volunteers, directly and indirectly, help people feel seen, supported, and less alone. That kind of support can change the course of someone’s life. 

This week, we’re recognizing the many ways our volunteers are making waves in Ontario. Your time, your energy and your compassion matter. Mental health and addiction services in Ontario are stretched, but thanks to volunteers, we’re reaching more people, with more empathy and compassion. 

Why it matters 

• 1 in 4 Canadians aged 15+ reported needing mental health care in the past year but over a third couldn’t get the help they needed. 
• At CMHA branches across Ontario, volunteers help bridge this gap, supporting services that empower people to recover and thrive. 
• Across Canada, over 24 million hours were volunteered to health organizations last year alone. That’s almost 2,800 years of care, withmuch of it right here in Ontario. 

Along with helping with logistics, volunteers offer hope, empathy and connection; the very things that help people recover from mental health challenges or substance use. 

Every volunteer hour counts 

At CMHA Niagara, we’ve seen firsthand the difference volunteers make and their impact is powerful and personal. We thank you all for your dedicated service.

Interested in volunteering? Contact us at [email protected].