Volunteer - Geneva Centre for Autism

Volunteer Services Volunteers are essential team members in the successful delivery of services at Geneva Centre for Autism. We encourage you to review our site to familiarize yourself with our program.

You will find this section most helpful if you start by reading Volunteer Opportunities and then Questions and Answers.

These are the steps to becoming a volunteer:

Submit your cover letter and current resume to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Our Volunteer Coordinator will review your application and if a match seems possible between your skills and availability - and our openings - we will call you for an interview to determine your suitability for a placement.
If we say "yes" to each other, then a police check, medical form and reference checks are completed. Most openings commence in September or June of each year.

Are there any specific skills you are looking for?

Each placement involves certain skills. Placement involving children requires prior exposure to children in a structured setting, such as schools, hospitals, teams or summer camps. If you do not have this experience, you might be eligible to volunteer to support adult, parent or Centre services.

What is the minimum length of placement?

Placements in our clinical programs are weekly, usually for 3 hours; duration is typically 3-6 months, depending on the program. Short term placements may also be available, provided that significant contact time is attained. Not all programs are available at all times. Non-clinical placements vary in length, duration and frequency.

I know nothing about autism; is this a problem?

Volunteers are not expected to have much exposure to autism. Our main focus is on qualities such as reliability, regularity, and a love for learning. Our orientation and training will help you learn more about the disorder.

If I am accepted, when will I start?

After the interview, we will review your skills in light of our needs. Once we offer you a placement, we move on to your reference, medical form and police check. Your first day will usually be two to three weeks after our meeting.

Do you accept placements for school co-op, fieldwork or practicum requirements?

Yes. The availability of practicum placements is dependent upon the availability of Geneva Centre for Autism personnel to provide supervision time. Two months lead time is usually required. Please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

I am really looking for a paid position; will volunteering help?

Volunteering at Geneva Centre for Autism can be an advantage in finding a paid contract position. Volunteers compete for and often successfully fill our part-time or full time positions. As you develop and demonstrate your skills while volunteering this may prepare you, when positions open, to be considered for a paid position. Please do not offer to volunteer if you are actively job searching. A new job might conflict with your volunteering schedule; so contact us after you have secured employment.

If I am under 16 years of age can I volunteer?

As in most social service agencies, volunteers at our Centre must be 16 years of age or older. Experience, judgment and availability are all important qualities in volunteers. When you turn 16, we welcome you to apply for the volunteen program.

I live outside Toronto; can I volunteer near my home?

Our volunteer program only serves the Greater Toronto area. If you foresee problems with long travel in poor weather, we will suggest alternative volunteer programs closer to your home.

My hours are very unpredictable. Should I apply?

When you can devote at least a three-hour weekly commitment slot for at least 3 months, contact us. Persons with autism depend on regular, reliable personal contact, and our programming requires this.

Can I observe a placement before committing?

Persons with autism find it awkward to deal with changes in their routine, so we permit observation by arrangement with the family and staff. When you start, you will be on probation so you can get a feel for what you will be doing.

I would like a reference for my files. Is this possible?

We are happy to provide references. We usually give verbal references, unless a written letter is required for academic applications.

Volunteer Opportunities Volunteers supporting our Agency programs may be involved in assisting our clinical services, special events, fundraising or Agency administration, to name a few. Our services are offered at a number of locations across Toronto. We welcome applicants sixteen years of age or over; placements are determined by your skills and times offered through our application form.

Clinical Placements

We aim to have volunteers in contact with our child and adult clients for an extended period of time – this will build a spectrum of skills, relationships and enable you to see the results of your support. Typically this works out to 3-4 hours a week over 3-6 months - depending on the program; in our summer camp you can complete these hours in a more compressed form: full days, daily for two weeks, or three times a week for a month. Many of our clinical positions fill quickly and not all programs operate in the summer. Good English language skills and previous experience working with groups of children or adults will be an advantage in securing a clinical placement. A sample of activities is listed below.

Project/Events Placements

We also welcome persons with limited time to volunteer, or who would like to help on a specific event, such as our annual Butterfly Classic golf tournament, Family Holiday Party, or our Annual Family Picnic.

Student Placements

Geneva Centre for Autism is committed to offering a broad work exposure to students considering a career choice in the field of autism. This consists of a mixture of clerical, clinical and training opportunities. Students may be considered for our limited number of openings provided they apply at least two months in advance to the HR department. For information contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Social Skill building Groups

Curriculum based instruction of 5 same-aged children [ 5-13 yrs of age] through group circle games, sharing, sensory activities, crafts. You help leaders: set up, clean up, model behaviours, prompt clients, assist with implementing an activity, data collection and group planning. Three hours once a week for six months.

Respite Groups

Develop communication, social and life skills in a weekend group setting for youths and adults through sensory play, arts and crafts, gross motor activities and community recreational activities [trips, swimming, outings]. You also assist staff in creating and implementing program planning, transition activities, and behaviour observation and assessment. Saturdays or Sundays, 10-4pm for six months. Weekday after-school respite provides similar recreational activities [play, games, music, exercise, crafts, transitions] to children between 3-6pm or 6-9pm once a week for six month at different sites across Toronto.

Language Acquisition Groups [ABA/IBI]

Either a lunch-time or instructional position. Assist non-verbal 3-7 yr olds with feeding/socializing, gross motor activities, self-help routines, outdoor play, transitions, dressing, program material preparation, co-teaching. Three hours once a week for six month, or more intense as a student placement.

Sports or Summer Camps

Energetic interaction on- and off-site, in Agency or City-run camp-style programs, for clients 7-14yrs of age. Typical camp activities, including swimming. In Summer Camp, every weekday for two weeks 9-4pm or three times a week for a month. Sportball camp may be year-round, teaching social skills through non-competitive ball sports: three hours once a week for six months. Support of Camp staff by volunteers similar to Respite programming.

Adult groups

Help with the development of life, leisure, self-management, social and community skills in youth and adults three hours once a week for six months, daytime or evening. You will assist the facilitator to: model, prompt, and practice with clients, and create visuals, documentation, debrief and plan.

Agency Projects

Support our daily operations such as A/V or library management, greeting, data entry, filing, creating visual prompts, facility upkeep/beautification, or special events like our annual family picnic/party, golf fundraising tournament. Times flexible, as arranged.