There is an urgent need for career information products targeted at new immigrants and refugees. The potential pay-offs from these products are very high. Recent immigrants and refugees who receive helpful career information achieve labour market integration much faster and more successfully. Volunteer Canada has conducted a needs assessment to determine if the current career information products are adequate and meet the needs of new immigrants and refugees. It also determine if the current tools are adequate for use in volunteer centres and other organizations that are placing new immigrants and refugees into volunteer placements.
Recent research indicates that seniors who volunteer reap health benefits from volunteer work.
As the Canadian population ages, the importance of meaningfully involving seniors in volunteering is increasing. One of the most recent trends in volunteerism is family volunteering. Research has shown that children from families who become involved in their community are more likely to continue volunteering throughout their lifetimes. They are also more likely to encourage volunteerism in their own children. Volunteer Canada will work with Volunteer Centre of Calgary and the Points of Light Foundation to explore the feasibility of introducing a national family volunteering program in Canada.