Every day, thousands of people voluntarily give their time and talent to organizations across Canada. They give their time freely and with no expectation of monetary reward. Their hours of service ensure that many activities are accomplished and many people are helped. They build houses for the homeless, care for the elderly, and provide counseling and support services. They are youth group leaders, program coordinators, coaches and fundraisers. They represent every walk of life – professional, homemaker, student, retiree – as well as every age and cultural group.

The growing ethnic and racial diversity of Canada and its relevance to the voluntary sector has been an issue that has had considerable focus in recent years, especially through various aspects of the Voluntary Sector Initiative. As Canadians of diverse origins increasingly wish to integrate into the mainstream of Canadian life, the voluntary sector has the potential to play a key role in facilitating that integration.

The growing ethnic and racial diversity of Canada and its relevance to the voluntary sector has been an issue that has had considerable focus in recent years, especially through various aspects of the Voluntary Sector Initiative. As Canadians of diverse origins increasingly wish to integrate into the mainstream of Canadian life, the voluntary sector has the potential to play a key role in facilitating that integration.

There are few among us who have not pondered the notion of doing some humanitarian work at some stage in our lives, but fewer still who have acted on the impulse. While many people think of giving something back to society, and many more volunteer locally or give to charity, few have actually embraced a mid-career challenge in a war-zone.