A recent press release suggests that along with the new school year has come an increasingly high demand for support from a national anti-bullying organization.

BullyingCanada is searching for volunteers around Canada to ensure that their services be made available on a 24/7 basis, and they need volunteers to fill various positions. 

To meet the high demand for support, BullyingCanada is seeking assistance for administrative and development responsibilities. Aside from data entry and varying administrative roles, BullyingCanada needs volunteers with some experience in grant applications or fundraising.

For those interested in helping but who prefer working directly with youth seeking support, BullyingCanada always has availability for Virtual and Social Media Services (SMS) Buddies. Another alternative would be financial support, via tax-deductible donation. 

BullyingCanada is the only national anti-bullying charity in Canada, and it is dedicated to providing a progressive future for the victims of bullying. Now a 24/7 support service, BullyingCanada began as a youth-run website that brought together bullied youth and provided information on bullying and how to stop it.

BullyingCanada works to protect those who reach out for support. They speak with bullied youth and their parents, bullies and their parents, teachers, coaches, guidance counsellors, principals, school boards⁠—local police, if the child’s life is endangered⁠—and local social services to assure bullied children and youth are safe and have options for support. This process can take anywhere from two weeks to over a year.

BullyingCanada was launched in December 2006, by teenagers Rob Benn-Frenette, and Katie Thompson. Both were victims of extreme bullying through secondary school, but they had no support systems available to help them. They created BullyingCanada to help those suffering, like them. 

“With the start of the new school year, we are seeing an increased number of youths reaching out for assistance. To ensure we’re able to serve them best going forward, BullyingCanada needs several volunteers to help with a variety of tasks. We know that many people find working directly with youth rewarding—and we always have opportunities for that—but we have some less glamorous work that is just as vital to our mission. Many people prefer it to working with youth directly as it tends to be less triggering—the stories we hear from bullied youth can be exceptionally upsetting,” Benn-Fennette said.

Volunteering with BullyingCanada is an opportunity for those looking to give back, or develop some experience in nonprofit development or administration. Adults that are interested in volunteering may apply by visiting <BullyingCanada.ca/Volunteer>. 

Applicants should have a computer with reliable access to high-speed internet, and motivation to engage with the mission. Volunteer applicants are required to undergo a federal, criminal background check, and they should be prepared to commit their time to volunteering regularly.