Community Engaged Learning – Previous Placements

NEW495 – Previous Placements

Below are examples of placement opportunities (currently inactive) from previous years:

Butterfly (Asian and Migrant Sex Workers Support Network) – Butterfly is a grassroots and community-led organization supporting and advocating for the rights of Asian and migrant sex workers. It is founded upon the belief that sex workers are entitled to respect and basic human rights. Butterfly advocates for justice for Asian and migrant sex workers and for their safety and dignity.

Food Chain Workers Alliance (Virtual Placement) – A coalition of worker-based organizations whose members plant, harvest, process, pack, transport, prepare, serve, and sell food, organizing to improve wages and working conditions for all workers along the food chain. The placement opportunity provides support to the popular education and research programs with food workers.

Black Urbanism TO (BUTO) – Black Urbanism TO is a not-for-profit organization engaging with black communities, businesses, and spaces in Toronto. BUTO strives to enhance Black community engagement in local development, fostering cultural, economic, and social progress in cherished neighborhoods. BUTO are seeking a dedicated and skilled individual for the position of Community Research Assistant.

Sundance Commons – an agricultural non-profit that operates at four farm locations in southwestern Ontario. Sundance Commons provide the tools, guidance, and access for new farmers who face barriers to entry in the agricultural sector and land access more broadly. Sundance Commons envisions a regenerative and food-secure world where the equity and agency of farm workers is centered.

Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI) – The umbrella organization for immigrant and refugee-serving agencies in Ontario. OCASI champions equity and human rights for im/migrants and refugees through advocacy, collective action, collaborative planning, research, capacity building, and information and knowledge transfer. This placement is a learning opportunity for a student interested in social justice history in the immigrant and refugee-serving sector using an anti-racism and anti-oppression framework, and advocacy in an umbrella organization.

Partners in Health (PIH) – Partners in Health’s mission is to improve the health of the poor and marginalized, provide a preferential option for the poor in health care, and bring the benefits of modern medical science to those most in need of them, as well as serving as an antidote to despair. PIH aims to do so working in partnership with the people, based on solidarity, rather than charity alone. PIH are seeking a Community Engagement Assistant who will actively participate in initiatives that advocate for the health and well-being of those most at risk, while also nurturing strong connections with the donor community.

Hart House (Hip-Hop Education Program) – Are you a lover of Hip Hop culture and interested in learning more about the role that women have played? Consider this position if you are passionate about Hip Hop culture, gender, art and representation. Click on the link for more information.

Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG) Toronto – An intersectional grassroots volunteer-based group at the University of Toronto, with a mandate for action, education, and research on environmental and social justice issues. We seek to empower and educate students and community members by building bridges and providing opportunities for students to connect with community activism and vice versa. There are several possible positions available with OPIRG Toronto as we have a wide range of needs to be filled within our organization. The most important consideration is that your values align with the collective work we are engaged in toward justice and liberation for all.

Hart House Global Commons (Innovations in Democracy and Citizenship) – An opportunity for a student interested in joining a global team of students and staff from multiple locations, who are working to create spaces for dialogue and action on democracy, public participation, and citizenship.

Trinity Theatre Toronto (Programs Assistant) is seeking a student with strong organization, teamwork, communication, and critical thinking skills to be the Programs Assistant. The Program Assistant will play a prominent role in organizing, facilitating, and managing the Peer to Peer Mentorship and Applied Civics program along with the Co-Directors.

Trinity Theatre Toronto (Organizational Development Assistant) is seeking a student strong organization, teamwork, communication, critical thinking, and writing skills to be the Organizational Development Assistant. The Organizational Development Assistant will be closely working with other staff in applying to grants, strategic planning, research and evaluation work, assisting the Leadership Lab projects, and supporting the continuous growth of Trinity Theatre.

Frontier College – An opportunity for a student with a background in Disability and Equity Studies or interested in the Social Service field and/or Education, to work in a program providing learning opportunities for people with mild intellectual disabilities. Frontier College is a literacy organization helping people to improve their literacy and basic skills. The specific program is the Independent Studies Program.

Toronto & York Region Métis Council – An opportunity for a student who identifies as, or stands in solidarity with Metis, Indigenous or Aboriginal people who is keen to learn more about and contribute to organizational and cultural programming for Metis people and community in Toronto.

Hart House Community Based Archives Exhibition Assistant – The placement student will engage with information gathering to identify Community Based Archives in Canada, assist in relationship building with Community Based groups, explore multiple archives and collections and seek out other sources to compile multi-media materials for an exhibition that explores the importance of Community Based Archives, the power of story-telling, information and evidence gathering, and the preservation of artifacts specific to protest, social change, and resistance movements.

Hart House Youth and Community Access – An opportunity for a student, passionate about youth engagement and social justice, to contribute to a collaborative project involving Hart House and a variety of campus and community partners, to support initiatives that foster pathways to post-secondary education with a particular focus on groups that may experience access barriers such as indigenous, newcomer, racialized and LGBTQ youth.

Hart House Hip Hop Education – Tracking Indigenous Voice presents a unique opportunity for a student with interests in community arts based practices, Hip Hop Education and Indigenous ways of knowing and being to engage in alternative ways of learning and understanding Indigenous perspectives within a Canadian context.

Hart House Changemakers – An opportunity for a student interested in working on and developing a dialogue series and programming focused on highlighting people and organizations engaged in innovative thinking and action.

Gendering Adolescent AIDS Prevention (GAAP) – This is an opportunity for a student who is interested in youth activism, arts-based and participatory methodologies, community engagement, and research related to youth, sexuality and HIV/AIDS. An academic background in Equity, Sexual Diversity, Women/Gender Studies and/or Sociology of Youth and/or HIV/AIDS would be suitable.

Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research (CANFAR) Community Health Education – This is an opportunity for a student who is passionate about community health and health education, to gain hands-on experience in a national HIV and AIDS awareness campaign.

Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research (CANFAR) Research and Program Evaluation– An opportunity for a student interested in research, community health and public health education, and HIV prevention, to develop skills in social research and HIV awareness program evaluation.

Regent Park Community Food Centre – An opportunity for a student who is passionate about food security and justice, and working with communities, to gain hands-on skills around community gardening, delivering educational programming and undertaking food security/community food-related research and evaluation.

English Testing Canada – An opportunity for a student to work directly with newcomers to Canada, investigating connections between English proficiency testing, newcomer equity issues, and community engagement.

Matthew House (Administrative Support) – An opportunity for a student who is keenly interested in refugee and newcomer issues to learn about organizing in this field while contributing to general administrative and program support in a refugee support organization.

Journalists for Human Rights  – An opportunity for a student interested in international development with an academic background in Middle Eastern Studies, Indigenous Studies, African Studies, Peace and Conflict Studies, Development Studies, Equity Studies, Media Studies or another relevant program.

The Centre for Mindfulness Studies – An opportunity for a student passionate about Mindfulness and mental health promotion to gain experience in the delivery and evaluation of mindfulness programming. (NEW495 OR NEW497)

Another Story Bookstore – This  independent activist bookstore is offering an opportunity for a student to explore the role of books, literature, educational, political and cultural events in engaging and building social justice community. Please follow application procedure in course description page.

L’Arche Toronto-Sol Express – An opportunity for students with an interest, experience and/or an academic background in Disability and Equity Studies who are interested in the creative process, to work in an arts program for people who have a developmental disability.

Social Planning Toronto – an opportunity for a student to work alongside a community planner, supporting community engagement around local issues in Scarborough and to work on some city-wide issues too.

Making Room –  An opportunity for a student with an academic background in Community Development, Art, Buddhist Psychology, Religious Studies, or other fields, interested in connecting with communities and exploring new and creative approaches to community.

Regent Park School of Music  – An opportunity for a student with an interest in education, community development, and the role of the arts in youth development and community building. Experience and/or academic background in working with children, sociology of youth, social work, or similar fields would be useful and as appreciation of music desirable.

The Centre for Urban Health Solutions at St. Michael’s Hospital – An opportunity for a student interested in health promotion, community mobilization, and the complexity of HIV stigma across contexts such as health care, education and the workplace.

Sketch Working Arts – If you are interested in applying for a volunteer position at Sketch, please do so directly through their website: https://www.sketch.ca/support/volunteer/ . On your application, please indicate that you would be in the New College Community Engaged Learning Program for two semesters. Sketch has all the other required information.  Apply as soon as possible for this is a popular program. If you are offered a placement, please get in touch with this program so that we can enroll you.

Success Beyond Limits (SBL) – An opportunity for a student passionate about the role of community organizations and alternative programming in supporting the education of high school youth, specifically the African and Caribbean Diaspora.

Matthew House (Support to Refugee Settlement) – This is an opportunity for a student interested in refugee rights and newcomer resettlement to learn more about the settlement process in Toronto and directly support the Matthew House orientation program.

Matthew House (Social Media & Events) – For a student who is keenly interested in refugee and newcomer support, to contribute strong social media skills to the activities of a refugee support organization.

Matthew House (Credibility Researcher) – This is an opportunity for a student interested in refugee rights and newcomer resettlement to learn more about the public policies and procedures that impact refugee claimants in Canada. In addition, this research project will provide you with deep insights into the criteria for determining credibility in a refugee claim. The activity also entails supporting the creation of tools and education materials that will be shared with the refugee claimant population through the Matthew House Refugee Hearing Program.

A Different Booklist – An opportunity for a student passionate about the role of culture in building community, specifically the African and Caribbean Diaspora, to gain skills and experience in cultural programming.

Health Environment Agriculture Labor Food Alliance (HEAL) – HEAL is a national multi-sector, multi-racial coalition of 60 organizations led by members who represent over 2 million rural and urban farmers, ranchers, fishers, farm and food chain workers, indigenous groups, scientists, public health advocates, policy experts, community organizers, and activists. HEAL is seeking a placement student to provide communications support work.

Romero House – A charitable organization and community of welcome and accompaniment for newly arrived refugee claimants in Toronto. This position provides settlement support for newly arrived refugee claimants through Romero House’s intake program.

The Black Food Sovereignty Alliance (BFSA) is dedicated to strengthening Black communities’ understanding and leadership in Black Food Sovereignty through dialogue, policy advocacy, and community-driven solutions. Rooted in Toronto’s Black Food Sovereignty movement, BFSA works to ensure Black communities have access to healthy, culturally appropriate food produced sustainably, with a goal to ending chronic food insecurity and mobilize community partnerships. Student volunteers will have the opportunity to support BFSA’s efforts by helping coordinate community events, contributing to digital storytelling initiatives, and participating in data collection activities that highlight community needs and impact.

Chinese Canadian National Council (CCNCTO) – an organization of Chinese Canadians in the City of Toronto that promotes equity, social justice, inclusive civic participation, and respect for diversity. Current priorities are outreaching to the marginalized Chinese Canadian community, building up community capacity, creating intergenerational spaces, and continuing advocacy work on anti-racism. 

Rise In STEM is seeking an energetic, youth-focused Volunteer Coach to support our second iteration of the STEM Athletics Program. This program is a weekly initiative combining physical activity, mentorship, and exposure to science, technology, engineering, and math for middle school students. The initiative also supports high school students with monthly workshops focused on career exploration and academic development. This placement is ideal for students interested in youth development, community engagement, and integrating sport with educational outcomes.

The Caribbean Solidarity Network (CSN) – a Toronto based community organization that focuses on community based political education, committed to the principles of Caribbean Liberation and Unity across the region as well as throughout the Diaspora. We are currently looking for a community research and outreach assistant to help deliver our programming and broaden our reach. This placement offers candidates the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world experience in community-based research, community outreach and event logistics.

Groundswell Community Justice Trust Fund – a community trust formed in 2011, Groundswell Community Justice Trust Fund began as a way to talk about funding social movements, while building a capital base to benefit social justice organizing over the long term. Our hope is to create a practice of consistently and dependably funding social movements by getting people to look at their finances and contribute what they can on a monthly or yearly basis. We are seeking a motivated and passionate upper year university student for a placement to support our grant making, outreach and operations teams.

Injured Workers Action for Justice – A diverse group of injured workers who have been fighting for fair compensation and respect from the WSIB (Workplace & Safety Insurance Board) for all workers in Ontario since 2010. The student will work with the Community Organizer at IAVGO Community Legal Clinic and the IWA4J group members to develop and promote membership-driven initiatives that advance the rights of injured workers.

Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) Toronto – is a local chapter of a national network committed to mobilizing white people to work for racial justice as part of a multiracial majority. We organize, educate, and act in solidarity with BIPOC-led movements to undermine white supremacy and build systems rooted in equity and collective liberation. An ideal candidate for this placement is a student deeply committed to racial justice, with an openness to learning and unlearning about whiteness, privilege, and anti-racism.

Community Music Schools of Toronto – Community Music Schools of Toronto (CMST) has a mission to help Toronto youth, facing financial and other barriers, to thrive through high-quality music education. This position involves supporting the work of the Philanthropy Team at CMST. You will work closely with team members to research prospects for funding, develop social media strategies and campaigns, support the activation of fundraising campaigns, help with community partnership mapping, support planning with events, and other projects across the organization. This is an opportunity for a student with an interest in fundraising and marketing, youth development and the role of the arts in community building.

Mining Injustice Solidarity Network (MISN) – a grassroots activist group that organizes to draw attention to and resist the negligent practices of Canadian mining companies, in solidarity with impacted communities around the world. This is an opportunity for a student interested in supporting climate justice, Indigenous solidarity, and anti-extractivism to gain skills and experience in grassroots activism and community organizing.

Science for Peace – a charitable organization dedicated to popular education and research on the intersections of demilitarization, decarbonization and social justice. Science for Peace synthesizes scientific knowledge to inform and change public policy. As a Policy Research & Communications Student, you will support Science for Peace’s mission by assisting in research, policy analysis, and communication efforts.

Up4 The Challenge – a non-profit social enterprise that empowers youth in grades 7–12 to use STEM for social impact through hands-on, equity-centered design programs. Based in the Greater Toronto-Hamilton Area and Ottawa, we focus on engaging underrepresented youth through partnerships with schools and community organizations. The role includes supporting workshop facilitation, developing educational materials, and collaborating with community partners to address real-world social issues.

NEW497 Placements

Below are examples of placement opportunities from previous years:

• Hart House Youth Access and Community Engagement – An opportunity for a student, passionate about youth engagement and social justice, to contribute to a collaborative project involving Hart House and a variety of campus and community partners, to support initiatives that foster pathways to post-secondary education with a particular focus on groups that may experience access barriers such as Indigenous, newcomer, racialized and LGBTQ youth

• Hart House Community Engagement Research Assistant – For a student interested in youth/student programming, an opportunity to gain experience in research and program evaluation, specifically the assessment of the impact of socially-engaged and wellness-based programming for university students.

• Hart House Youth Engagement through Recreation Participatory Research – For a student interested in sport and youth development (kinesiology, youth studies, community development), an opportunity to develop qualitative research skills and contribute to a community-based participatory research project based at Hart House and involving local community partners that work with marginalized youth.

• Hart House Global Commons – An opportunity for a student interested in global social justice issues, who is keen to develop skills in engaged research. The position involves developing the research and knowledge base of Hart House’s Global Commons project, including reviewing scholarly literature on international dialogue on reconciliation.

• The 519  – An opportunity for a student, passionate about pursuing justice for 2SLGBTQ communities and interested in media, to use and develop research skills in an anti-violence advocacy project.

• The Leap – caring for the earth and one another – An opportunity for an activist student, passionate about environmental and social justice, to take on a range of research and knowledge presentation tasks to support campaigns and initiatives around the caring economy.

• Matthew House – An opportunity for a student with an interest in refugee law and advocacy, to contribute to research in support of the Refugee Hearing Program.

• Journalists for Human Rights – An opportunity for a student interested in international development, specifically, human rights and media development, with an academic background in Middle Eastern, Indigenous, African, Peace and Conflict, Development, Equity or Media Studies.

• The Centre for Mindfulness Studies – This placement is for a student passionate about Mindfulness to gain experience in the delivery and evaluation of mindfulness programming.

• Mindfulness Without Borders – This is an opportunity for students who are passionate about and advocates for mindfulness to deepen their knowledge about the value of mindfulness-based methodologies within the education and health-care sectors, while gaining practical experience in program outreach, partnership building and project management. (Could also be for NEW495).

• Social Planning Toronto – A research-focused placement for students interested in developing social research skills and deepening their understanding of community engagement and participatory development in Toronto.

• Livelihood Project – An opportunity for a student interested in refugee settlement, community-engaged research and education, to develop appropriate skills-training  for refugees.

• Crossroads International – This is an opportunity for a student interested in international development and women’s rights to learn more about international non-governmental organizations and forms of collaboration with partner organizations, as well as initiatives supporting women’s rights and empowerment, while gaining crucial fund-raising skills in the international NGO sector.

• Realize – This is an opportunity for a student who is interested in Health Studies (policy, public education, advocacy) and with a particular focus on HIV/AIDS.

• The Centre for Urban Health Solutions at St. Michael’s Hospital – An opportunity for a student interested in health promotion, community mobilization, and the complexity of HIV stigma across contexts such as health care, education and the workplace.

• Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research (CANFAR) – An opportunity for a student interested in research, community health and public health education, and HIV prevention, to develop skills in social research and HIV awareness program evaluation.