Cheers to Volunteers: National Volunteer Week April 19-25

National Volunteer Week 2026 in Ontario and across Canada is April 19–25, 2026. This year it celebrates the theme ‘Ignite Volunteerism’ to highlight the power of civic participation.

This year aligns with the UN’s International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development, aiming to rebuild, strengthen, and celebrate volunteer efforts nationwide.

Volunteers are part of Home Suite Hope’s daily routine - whether it’s through donations, lending a hand at our fundraising events, digging into our community garden Blueberry Fields or answering our call for special requests.

HSH is also fortunate to have a volunteer Industry Council, a group of senior executives from a variety of fields with decision-making authority who support the professional advancement of participants in our programs. They are representatives from organizations including private sector businesses, non-profit and public sector employers, community champions and representatives from employment services at the local college, municipality or community services organizations.

From helping our college graduates prepare their resumes, elevator pitches and interview techniques to providing feedback and networking connections, these volunteers assist our single parents prepare for and enter the workforce.

HSH is also fortunate to have another group of dedicated volunteers who serve on its Board of Directors. From steering the fundraising, governance, finance and human resources governance of HSH, these generous volunteers give of their time and talent.

HSH’s current Board as of April 2026 includes: Emma Jarratt (Chair); Nazeera Khan (Vice Chair); Kevin Farrell (Treasurer); Blake Hampton-Davies (Finance); Julianna Varpalotei-Xavier (Finance); Robyn Pangman (Finance); Rose Sharifi (Governance); Amanpreet Dhillon (Fundraising); Lindsay Anderson (Fundaising); and, Shalu Bains (Fundraising). Judi Hesp (Governance) just finished her term and Patricia Lizarralde (Governance/Human Resources).

The Industry Council members currently include: Hugo Breton; Bea Kwak; Cheryl Pitt; Mark McLaughlin; Audrey Bailey; Laura Edge; Melissa Bryant; Heather Charlton; and, Sheel Webber.

For more information on volunteering with HSH or getting involved with our Board of Directors and Industry Council, please visit HomeSuiteHope.org.

Thank you to all our wonderful volunteers. We are so grateful for their time, talent and generosity.