ARW Volunteer Applications are open! Apply by Thursday, February 6, 2025. Preference for project selection will be given to early applications.
Start your journey of community involvement and leadership with Alternative Reading Week (ARW). ARW is a three-day initiative where students join together in teams to tackle projects presented by our community partners.
- Participate in community-led projects that have a positive impact.
- Complete the full program during reading week.
- Get CCR recognition for your time.
- Build connections with community partners & your peers.
- Gain hands on experience with important soft skills like teamwork, public speaking, and problem-solving.
- Delve deeper into a cause that is important to you.
Program Structure
- Complete application and online training modules prior to the experience.
- Volunteer from 10am to 4pm for Tuesday, February 18, 2025, to Thursday, February 20, 2025, during the Winter Reading Week.
- Complete your community-initiated project with your team.
- Complete an online reflection survey after the experience.
| Day 1 - Tuesday, February 18, 2025 | Day 2 - Wednesday, February 19, 2025 | Day 3 - Thursday, February 20, 2025 |
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Project will be offered in three different modalities, on campus, on site and hybrid. All volunteers must be on campus on Day 3, Thursday, February 20, 2025, to prepare for and participate in the Impact Fair.
Participate in ARW
ARW General Volunteers
General Volunteers participate in the 3-day ARW program. You will work with a group of peers guided by your Community Leader(s) to complete one of the projects below. Preference for project selection will be given to early applications.
Deadline to Apply: Thursday February 6, 2025
ARW Community Leaders
Community Leader applications are closed for ARW 2025.
Community Leaders will participate in tailored leadership training in January and February, create project plans and in pairs guide a group of volunteers to complete their project during the 3-day ARW Program.
ARW Community Leaders take part in the Community Leadership Development Program, a program focused on helping students develop skills in team building, facilitation, conflict resolution, leadership awareness and more!
Deadline to Apply: Friday, January 17, 2025
2025 Projects
On Campus
All activities will be complete on campus.
Organization: Sexual Assault Advisory Committee (SAAC) for Caledon Dufferin
Create three 90-second public service announcements to tackle misconceptions and barriers to accessing services after sexual violence with the Sexual Assault Advisory Committee (SAAC) for Caledon Dufferin. SAAC is a coalition of over 10 community organizations, they aim to raise awareness and develop best practices to support those affected by sexual violence.
Project Deliverables
- Animation and sound for three 90 second PSA about sexual violence
Helpful Skills
Innovation & Creativity
Marketing & Design
Communication & Teamwork
Academic Areas
- Art and Visual Studies
- Communications and Technology
- English and Drama
Organization: Little Helpers on the Run
Develop a curriculum for elementary schools to teach children the value of kindness through card-making for Little Helpers on the Run. This program should guide teachers in helping children create cards for hospital patients, nursing home residents, and first responders. Little Helpers on the Run, an international volunteer organization, fosters intergenerational connections and collaboration through compassion projects.
Project Deliverables
- Develop a program that can be implemented in art classes for elementary school-aged children, designed to span 1-3 weeks.
- Outreach Document
Helpful Skills
- Compassion
- Communication & Teamwork
- Innovation & Creativity
- Critical Thinking
- Organization
Academic Areas
- Art and Visual Studies
- Communications and Technology
- Psychology
- Sociology
Organization: Credit Valley Conservation
Develop a sustainable disposal plan for invasive species like buckthorn, focusing on innovative ways to repurpose or recycle the removed material for Credit Valley Conservation. This project aims to reduce environmental impact and promote sustainability through potential uses such as erosion control, habitat restoration, or community art projects. Credit Valley Conservation (CVC), a community-based environmental organization, engages over 2,000 youth annually in various environmental projects to protect and restore the Credit River Watershed.
Project Deliverables
- Propose an alternative use for buckthorn (or other invasive species) instead of leaving it on site. As a team, develop an entrepreneurial solution to the challenges of leaving buckthorn on site. Identify at least one local potential organization to collaborate with to assist with the entrepreneurial solution.
Helpful Skills
- Communication & Teamwork
- Critical Thinking
- Innovation & Creativity
- Leadership & Initiative
- Research & Data Analysis
Academic Areas
- Biology, Chemical and Physical Sciences
- Communications and Technology
- Economics
- Geography and Environment
- Management
Organization: Caledon Dufferin Victim Services
Research how cultural backgrounds influence volunteer recognition preferences to enhance the program at Caledon Dufferin Victim Services (CDVS). This project aims to better reflect the diverse motivations and values of our volunteers, ensuring they feel appreciated and valued. CDVS provides 24/7 confidential support to individuals affected by crime and tragedy, offering emotional support, practical assistance, and information.
Project Deliverables
- Research paper
- Infographic highlighting key types of recognition
- Low-cost examples of how these finding may be incorporated into our volunteer recognition program
Helpful Skills
- Communication & Teamwork
- Critical Thinking
- Innovation & Creativity
- Research & Data Analysis
- Problem Solving
Academic Areas
- Communications and Technology
- Sociology
- Psychology
- Criminal Justice
- Language Studies
Organization: BacharLorai Canada
Draft BacharLorai Canada’s 2024-25 Impact Report for the for 24-25 fiscal year. This project offers a unique opportunity to analyze data, align outcomes with UN Sustainable Development Goals, and create compelling visualizations. BacharLorai is a diaspora-led international social impact agency that empowers Bangladeshis worldwide through community building, policy research, and signature initiatives.
Project Deliverables
- Draft 2024-25 Impact Report
- Data Visualizations
Helpful Skills
- Marketing & Design
- Research & Data Analysis
- Critical Thinking
- Organization
Academic Areas
- Political Science
- Economics
- Sociology
- Management
On Site
Day 1 & 2 of ARW will be spent onsite with the community organization. Transportation will be arranged to and from UTM. On Day 3 you will be on campus for the Impact Fair.
Organization: Art Gallery of Mississauga
Design a 2-hour community workshop related to the upcoming exhibition "Inside. Outside. Of." at the Art Gallery of Mississauga (AGM). This project involves creating an agenda, materials list, and a promotional poster. The AGM presents engaging exhibitions featuring regional, national, and international artists, and aims to connect Mississauga's diverse communities to contemporary art.
Project Deliverables
- Design a 2-hour workshop that visitors can do and is related to the exhibition
- Create agenda for workshop with materials list
- Design a poster for the workshop
Helpful Skills
- Innovation & Creativity
- Marketing & Design
- Organization
- Communication & Teamwork
- Research & Data Analysis
Academic Areas
- Art and Visual Studies
- English and Drama
- Philosophy
- Anthropology
Hybrid
Day 1 & 2 of ARW will be completed virtually. On Day 3 you will be on campus for the Impact Fair.
Organization: A Greener Future
Develop a marketing plan for the A Greener Future’s Annual Butt Blitz campaign, aiming to collect 1 million cigarette butts in April 2025. A Greener Future, a Canadian nonprofit, engages communities in sustainability initiatives to inspire responsible practices and preserve natural habitats. This project involves creating a detailed activity and budget breakdown, five social media posts with captions, and a press release adaptable for different locations.
Project Deliverables
- A marketing plan with an activity and budget breakdown
- 5 social media posts with captions
- A press release that can be adapted for different locations
Helpful Skills
- Communication & Teamwork
- Innovation & Creativity
- Leadership & Initiative
- Marketing & Design
- Organization
Academic Areas
- Communications and Technology
- Geography and Environment
- Management
Organization: Woodland Cultural Centre
The Woodland Cultural Centre is developing a comprehensive membership program for both basic and corporate memberships. This project involves creating a program outline, materials, and a marketing plan for the program's launch. The Woodland Cultural Centre is a non-profit organization that serves to preserve, promote, and strengthen Indigenous language, culture, art, and history, bringing the story of the Hodinohsho:ni people of the Eastern Woodlands to life through innovative exhibitions and programs.
Project Deliverables
- A program outline
- Marketing materials for prospective members and outreach initiatives (PowerPoint, brochure, pamphlet, etc).
- A marketing plan for the launch of the program
Helpful Skills
- Research & Data Analysis
- Knowledge of Non-profit Sector
- Communication & Teamwork
- Innovation & Creativity
Academic Areas
- Communications and Technology
- Art and Visual Studies
- Management
Organization: Family Services of Peel (FSP)
Prepare promotional materials for the Men's Program, a training for service providers working with men who are victims of childhood sexual abuse. Family Services of Peel (FSP) is a non-profit organization offering a range of support services to strengthen families and individuals in the Peel region.
Project Deliverables
- 3 different flyers on the Men’s Program
- Brochure on the Men’s Program
- Agenda on the Men’s Program
Helpful Skills
- Communication & Teamwork
- Marketing & Design
- Social Justice & Advocacy
- Innovation & Creativity
Academic Areas
- Art and Visual Studies
- Communications and Technology
- Language Studies
- Psychology
- Sociology
Organization: Family Services of Peel
Schedule, plan, and promote a forum for seniors in the Peel region to discuss their social and mental health needs. This project involves setting an agenda, selecting key topics, and creating promotional materials for the event. Family Services of Peel (FSP) provides a range of support services to strengthen families and individuals in the community.
Project Deliverables
- Agenda of the event
- Flyers to promote the event
- 3 complete posts with captions for all the social media platforms of the institutions
- Registration form for the event
Helpful Skills
- Communication & Teamwork
- Compassion
- Leadership & Initiative
- Marketing & Design
- Social Justice & Advocacy
Academic Areas
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Visual Studies
- Institute of Communication, Culture, Information and Technology
- Centre for Urban Environments
- Women and Gender Studies Program
Organization: Moyo Health and Community Services
Develop a one-page Quick Reference Guide for Moyo Health and Community Services to streamline access to their referral services and first contact information. Moyo is an organization that provides a range of social services aimed at assisting individuals within the community by offering access to various resources such as healthcare, counseling, and housing services.This guide will be available in both digital (PDF) and print-ready formats, ensuring clarity and ease of use.
Project Deliverables
- A comprehensive, easy-to-read guide.
- Digital version (PDF) and print-ready format.
- Final feedback report.
Helpful Skills
- Communication & Teamwork
- Marketing & Design
- Project Management, Writing & Content Creation
Academic Areas
- Sociology
- Psychology
- Communications and Technology
Building Partnerships
We are always looking for new partners to present challenges and projects to our students for Alternative Reading Week. We invite schools, parents and families, local community organizations, and UTM community mentors and student groups to explore how we can work together. If you are interested in partnering with the Centre for Student Engagement on Alternative Reading Week Program, please email marlo.young.sponga@utoronto.ca to inquire.
Inquiries
For all questions and feedback regarding Alternative Reading Week, please contact:
Marlo Young-Sponga
Community Engaged Learning and Partnerships Coordinator
- CSE Connect Corner - DV2077 (Find us on a map here!)
- Email: marlo.young.sponga@utoronto.ca