Opportunities
Host
What is a Host / Host Family
A host or host family is an individual or family ideally from the neighbourhood or community who has expressed an interest in getting to know a child or youth with a disability. The Coordinator’s role is to recruit, connect and support the relationship between a host / host family and an individual with a disability and their family. The frequency, in which people get together, depends on everyone involved.
What is the Host/Host Family process
Hosts are often met as the coordinator begins to look around the natural community of the individual with a disability and their family. More recently, hosts are also identified through community or university websites such as the Volunteer Toronto Website or similar volunteer network programs. These sites provide an opportunity to match or bring people together.
PLEASE NOTE: Volunteers over the age of 18 must complete a Vulnerable Sector Check, which will be paid for by Extend-A-Family.
Please click here for a Host / Host Family Application.
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Host Opportunities List
TORONTO EAST
Toronto East is the area east of the Don Valley Parkway/Highway 404
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Looking for a Male Mentor (Markham & Ellesmere)
A young male adult is looking for a male mentor between the ages of 19-25 who can act as both a motivator and a friend. He is looking for someone to go to the gym with, grab a quick bite to eat, and spend time together in the community. He also enjoys bowling, cycling, and going to the movies. This opportunity would be a good fit for someone who can commit to 2-4 hours a month.
If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Marissa Wolicki at [email protected] or call 647.292.5357.
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Mentor/Fitness Enthusiast (Warden & Burnhill)
A kind 16-year-old male is looking for someone with good energy that can act as both a motivator and friend. He enjoys being around people, listening to vibrant conversations, connecting in his neighbourhood, doing fitness and engaging in community events. He is looking for someone who is kind-hearted, gentle, and open to exploring different interests together. Meetings would take place in person around Warden and Burnhill.
If you are interested in this opportunity and can commit long-term, ideally three months or longer, please contact Kristen Carhart at [email protected] or call 647.292.5175.
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Community Connector/Explorer (Ellesmere & Meadowvale)
This friendly 20-year-old female is looking for ways to contribute through volunteering, get to know her community, and meet new people. She loves travelling on the TTC, music, dancing and singing.
She takes her time getting to know people and feels most comfortable starting out in her home with the support of her family. “One step at a time; slow and steady” is her motto. This opportunity would be a good fit for a confidant female who has an interest in people and expanding the diversity and network of her friends. They are flexible, happy to slow down and take notice, and open and curious to new and diverse ways of communicating. They are a team player and collaborator who would be open to consulting with the family as needed.
If you are open to getting to know this young woman and building a friendship, learning lots about each other and exploring the local area, please contact Kim Southern-Paulsen at [email protected] or call 416.757.2780.
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Art Mentor (Victoria Park and Danforth)
This friendly 12-year-old male loves music, retro music, album covers and rock bands. He sings and dances to his favourite band of the month and creates album covers. Do you love art, drawing and music?
If you would like to mentor and befriend this talented and creative 12-year-old, please contact Kim Southern-Paulsen at [email protected] or call 416.757.2780.
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Swimming Mentor (Overlea & Don Mills)
A fun and energetic 10-year-old girl who loves spending time in water is looking for a female mentor with swimming experience to teach her how to swim, preferably in person. The family lives near the Overlea & Don Mills area.
If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Antonia Heer at [email protected] or call 647.292.5144.
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Looking for a Fun and Loving Female Friend (East York)
A 12-year-old is looking for a buddy who enjoys reading and crafts. She would love to meet someone to go to the local library and community centre with on the weekend or after school. This opportunity would be a good fit for a female who is patient, friendly, and compassionate. She is located in East York.
If you would like to get to know this youth, please contact Marlene Solano at [email protected] or call 416.239.7161.
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Looking For a Friend to Play Video Games With (East York)
A 13-year-old youth is looking for someone who loves to play games. He would like to meet someone who also enjoys playing on the Nintendo Switch and visiting local community centres and the library. This opportunity would be a good fit for someone who is calm, encouraging and enjoys having fun.
If you would like to get to know this youth, please contact Marlene Solano at [email protected] or call 416.239.7161.
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Looking For a Friend to Play Sports and Go On Walks With (Morningside)
A 13-year-old youth is looking for someone to go on walks and play sports, such as basketball. He would love to meet someone who also enjoys hanging out and visiting local community centres and libraries. This opportunity would be a good fit for someone who is kind, caring, supportive, and near or able to travel to the Morningside area.
If you would like to get to know this youth, please contact Marlene Solano at [email protected] or call 416.239.7161.
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Mentor/Friendship Buddy
A friendly and hardworking youth is looking for a friend/mentor to explore the community, build connections, and have fun together. He loves puzzles, art, and being with others.
If you are interested in this opportunity and can commit long-term, ideally three months or longer, please contact Kristen Carhart at [email protected] or call 647-292-5175.
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Community Connector (Don Mills & Sheppard)
A kind and imaginative 16-year-old who enjoys humour is looking for someone who shares an interest in evidence-based policies, computer gaming, and learning new languages. He is looking for someone who is calm-natured and enjoys being with others. This opportunity would be someone that can act as a connector by spending time exploring the community around Don Mills and Sheppard. Meeting would be hybrid, both in person and virtual.
If you are interested in this opportunity and can commit long term, ideally three months or longer, please contact Kristen Carhart at [email protected] or call 647.292.5175.
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TORONTO CENTRAL
Toronto Central is the area between Dufferin Street and the Don Valley Parkway/Highway 404​​
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Friendship/Mentor (Overlea & Don Mills)
An 18-year-old male is looking for someone to build a friendship with. He enjoys listening to music, playing virtual games and hanging out in the Overlea & Don Mills area.
If you are interested in building a friendship, please contact Anne Murray at [email protected] or call 647-292-5328.
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Female Buddy (Bathurst & Finch)
A 6-year-old girl is looking for a female buddy who enjoys arts and crafts and being outdoors. She would love to spend time at the park and in fun arts and crafts activities. She also enjoys swimming, dancing, and singing karaoke. This opportunity would be a good fit for a female who is caring, gentle, and loves spending time with kids.
If you reside near or are willing to travel to the Bathurst/Finch area, please contact Marlene Solano at [email protected] or call 416.239.7161.
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Looking for a Music and Stories Friend (Lawrence & Bathurst)
A 20-year-old youth who communicates through body and facial expressions is looking for someone to hang out with and share his love of music and reading. He would love to spend some quality time with someone in his home and occasionally in the community. This opportunity would be a good fit for someone who is compassionate, empathetic, patient and enjoys playing instruments, singing, or reading. He is located in the North York community by Lawrence and Bathurst.
If you would like to get to know this youth, please contact Marlene Solano at [email protected] or call 416.239.7161.
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Try New Things and Discovery Mentor (DVP & York Mills)
A 14-year-old youth in the North York community is looking for a mentor. He is interested in cooking, staying active, and trying new things. He would love to meet someone to hang out with and explore new interests together. This opportunity would be a good fit for someone who has a good sense of humour, is easy-going and creative.
If you would like to get to know this youth, please contact Marlene Solano at [email protected] or call 416.239.7161.
TORONTO WEST
Toronto West is the area west of Dufferin Street
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Peer Mentor (Rathburn & 427)
A 17-year-old living is looking for a peer mentor. The mentor would act as both a motivator and friend. This young person likes to play the piano, bake, spend time with family and mentoring younger kids. If you can commit to 2-4 hours a month then please apply!
If you’re interested in applying, please contact Marissa Wolicki at [email protected] or call 647.292.5357.
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Fun and Creative Friend (Bathurst & Finch Ave W)
A fun and creative 11-year-old girl is looking for someone to hang out with twice a month after school for a couple of hours. She has many interests, including dance, swimming, music, make-up, exploring community centres and libraries, and being social. This opportunity would be a good fit for someone who is patient, fun, energetic and kind.
If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Jessica Janes at [email protected] or call 647.220.9412.
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Looking for Male Mentor (Rogers Road & Dufferin)
An energetic and funny 13-year-old male is looking for a male mentor with positive and calm energy. The mentor would act as both a motivator and friend. Most visits would happen in the family home. This young person likes to play video games, play board games and watch YouTube. This opportunity would be a good fit for someone who can commit to 2-4 hours a month.
If you’re interested in this opportunity, please contact Marissa Wolicki at [email protected] or call 647.292.5357.
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Active and Fun Friend (Kingsway & Islington)
An energetic and joyful 8-year-old boy looking for a new friend to play with at the park! This opportunity would be a good fit for someone who loves being outdoors, playing games and having a good time. Being patient, positive & kind is also a must.
If you would like to get to know this boy and can commit to hanging out a couple of times a month for one year, please contact Jessica Janes at [email protected] or call 647.220.9412.
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Keep Learning Alongside This Youth (Lakeshore Blvd W & Royal York Rd)
A 16-year-old Ukrainian high school student is looking for a mentor he can connect with and build a friendship. He enjoys exploring new things and is eager to learn more about his community. He is interested in playing sports, history, cooking and cards. This opportunity would be a good fit for someone who is patient, enthusiastic, kind, confident, and interested in supporting an ESL learner.
If you are interested in being a friend, please contact Jessica Janes at [email protected] or call 647.220.9412.
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Looking For Mentor/Buddy (Islington and Dixon)
A 15-year-old male is looking for a mentor to stay active with. This young person enjoys soccer, skating, swimming and squash. This opportunity would be a good fit for someone who is available for 2-4 hours a month. It would be a bonus if the mentor speaks, or would like to learn, either French or Arabic.
If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Marissa Wolicki at [email protected]​ or call 647.292.5357.