National Volunteer Week is April 27 to May 3 and the City is celebrating the contributions volunteers make in our community. This year's theme is "Volunteers Make Waves.” The City of St. John’s has 500 registered volunteers who make a positive impact in our city, many who volunteer within the organization to enhance our programs and services.

City Volunteers

There are many volunteers who sit on our various committees and provide expertise and guidance to inform decision-making to City Council. We also have volunteers in our program areas including children, youth, adult and seniors, inclusive services, aquatics, tourism and Canada Games. The City also hosts the annual Applause Awards in which we award Volunteer of the Year and Volunteer Organization of the Year to deserving volunteers in the community.

Junior Lifeguard Club

Volunteering in our aquatics programs allows aspiring lifeguards the opportunity to observe lifeguards at work and provides them with insight into the day-to-day responsibilities of the role while developing essential workplace skills. In addition to learning job-specific skills, volunteering allows individuals to connect with new people, further contributing to their personal and professional development.

Ambassador Program

The City’s Ambassador Program has operated for more than twenty years. Ambassador volunteers are the first to welcome cruise passengers from all over the world while sharing tourism information on all that our City has to offer.

Canada Games

The excitement is building for the 2025 Canada Games. In a few short months, thousands of athletes, coaches, and managers from across the country will arrive for two weeks of fierce competition. It will be one of the largest and most exciting events ever hosted in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Thank you to everyone who has already stepped up to be part of this journey as a volunteer. But we’re not done yet—we need 5,000 volunteers to help bring the Games to life! Whether your passion lies in sport, logistics, hospitality, or community engagement—there’s a role for you.

Learn more at the Canada Games website.

Thank you to all residents of the City of St. John’s who volunteer their time in any capacity. You make St. John’s a better place to live by your commitment and dedication to worthy causes.

Join the team!

The City is always looking for individuals to join our volunteer team. To apply, complete the volunteer application which includes a waiver to apply for a RNC Code of Conduct and Vulnerable Sector Check. If you have any questions completing this process, please email volunteer@stjohns.ca. Visit our volunteer webpage for more information on our volunteer program.