Social Innovation Project

Summary

The Centre for Community Energy Transformation (CCET) is seeking volunteers to accelerate home energy retrofits in the Peel region. Volunteers will conduct a dwelling archetype analysis to support an ‘energy coach’ service, assisting homeowners in their retrofit journey. Tasks include reviewing existing reports, recommending analysis approaches, identifying necessary data sets, and using GIS software to display results. This project aims to increase the annual retrofit rate from 0.5% to 3% of all buildings. 

Weekly meetings will take place Mondays 2pm-3pm during the fall semester. Winter meetings will be scheduled with the project team.

Helpful Skills:

• Research & Data Analysis
• Problem Solving

• Innovation & Creativity  

Academic Areas:

• Geography and Environment 
• Mathematics and Computer Science  
• Economics  

Organization: Centre for Community Energy Transformation (CCET)

CCET is a not-for-profit, community-based organization operating in the region of Peel with a population of 1.4 million people. CCET will accelerate our community towards a low-carbon future. CCET’s mandate is to convene partners to implement catalytic priorities to accelerate a community transition towards a low-carbon future. CCET’s initial focus will be to collaborate with its municipal partners to decarbonize the building sector through: Advancing Deep Home Retrofits; District Energy Adoption; Spurring Institutional, Commercial and Industry (ICI) Energy Efficiency; Promoting Climate Change Related Outreach and Engagement. 

Challenge

CCET, working with municipal partners, must dramatically accelerate the pace of home energy retrofits. Examination of EnerGuide audit data from Natural Resources Canada for the years 2006 to 2024 reveals that energy retrofits are completed on average for about 0.5% of all dwellings in any given year. To retrofit the entire building stock by 2050 requires that 3% of all buildings are retrofitted for greater energy efficiency on an annual basis. For single detached homes alone, this means going from hundreds of retrofits per year to thousands per year. 

Project

Dwelling archetype analysis is a key resource for an ‘energy coach’ service to assist homeowners in their energy retrofit journey. The dwelling archetype information will also be used to market CCET’s home retrofit program. CCET is seeking a consistent dwelling archetype analysis for all three local municipalities in the region of Peel. 

Deliverables

Summary

Varman’s Smile Foundation is seeking volunteers to enhance peer support networks for mental health within university settings across Canada. Volunteers will research existing peer support models, identify gaps, and propose innovative strategies to improve accessibility and effectiveness. This could look like designing digital platforms, creating peer mentorship programs, or preparing an awareness campaign. The goal is to develop a sustainable, inclusive system that encourages students to connect and support one another.  

Weekly meetings will take place Tuesdays 3pm-4pm during the fall semester. Winter meetings will be scheduled with the project team.

Helpful Skills:

• Communication & Teamwork 
• Compassion 
• Innovation & Creativity
• Critical Thinking
• Problem Solving

Academic Areas:

• Anthropology
• Psychology
• Communications and Technology
• Sociology

Organization: Varman's Smile Foundation

Varman’s Smile Foundation is a nonprofit organization focused on supporting the mental health of young adults and students across Canada. We aim to create safe, open spaces where individuals can discuss mental health issues without fear of judgment. Our services include workshops, community events, and advocacy efforts designed specifically for young people, helping them navigate the challenges of academic life, social pressures, and mental well-being. By promoting awareness, providing resources, and fostering a supportive community, we strive to ensure that young adults and students do not have to face their mental health struggles alone.

Challenge

We want the team of volunteers to focus on enhancing peer support networks for mental health within university settings. While peer support is a proven method for helping students manage stress, anxiety, and other mental health challenges, many students either lack access to these networks or are unaware of how to use them effectively. The challenge is to research existing peer support models, identify gaps or areas where they can be improved, and propose innovative strategies to strengthen these networks, making them more accessible and effective for all students. 

Project

We hope the volunteers will design and propose solutions that can be implemented on campus to improve peer support networks. These solutions could include the development of digital platforms for peer interaction, the creation of peer mentorship programs, or the launch of awareness campaigns to promote the benefits of peer support. The ultimate aim is to create a sustainable, inclusive system that encourages students to connect with and support one another. 

Deliverables

Summary

Let’s Get Together is seeking volunteers to create a series of instructional videos and workshops on Linux Ubuntu software for their clients. Volunteers will develop content that demonstrates how to use various Ubuntu programs and accessibility features, making technology more approachable for seniors, newcomers, and others facing barriers. Tasks include scripting, recording, and editing videos, as well as organizing and leading workshops. Volunteers with skills in communication, video editing, and creativity are encouraged to join this impactful initiative.

Weekly meetings will take place Thursdays 2pm-3pm during the fall semester. Winter meetings will be scheduled with the project team.

Helpful Skills:

• Communication & Teamwork 
• Innovation & Creativity 
• Leadership & Initiative 
• Marketing & Design 
• Digital Fluency & Video Editing 

Academic Areas:

• Communications and Technology 
• Mathematics and Computer Science 
• Psychology 
• Sociology 
• Language Studies 

Organization: Let's Get Together

Let's Get Together is a non profit organization that aims to make learning equitable and education accessible. We vision a world where every youth has equal opportunity to pursue higher education with no barriers and purposeful support. We create student-led initiatives that inspire youth connections, skill development and mentorship opportunities while helping parents understand the challenges youth face today so they can learn how best to support their child in building their own bright future.  Recognizing that communities' needs have increased since the pandemic, the impact of our work now extends beyond youth to include seniors, newcomers, job seekers, families and others who face a multitude of barriers in their pursuit for education, employment and well-being. 

Challenge

Our organization provides free computers to equity deserving individuals of all ages and ethnic backgrounds, which are used to help them access health care, education, employment and community resources or stay in touch with family and friends.  We want to help our clients better understand how to use and gain more comfort using the Linux Operating system specially the Ubuntu program, which are loaded on these free computers. 

Project

We are hoping to create a series of information and instructional videos and workshop on various Linux Ubuntu software programs for our clients so they can feel more confident using their computers.  We'd also like to create videos and a workshop that showcases the accessibility features of the computers we distribute to the community specifically to help target audience like seniors and newcomers with language barriers. 

The Centre for Community Energy Transformation (CCET) is seeking volunteers to design a program to engage youth in accelerating home energy retrofits and raising community awareness about their benefits. Volunteers will identify target audiences, research youth engagement approaches from other organizations, and develop an outreach strategy. Tasks include identifying youth engagement opportunities such as Youth Councils, project research, and community engagement activities. The goal is to deliver a Youth Engagement report with recommendations for implementing a youth engagement strategy. 

Weekly meetings will take place Tuesdays 2pm-3pm during the fall semester. Winter meetings will be scheduled with the project team.

Helpful Skills:

• Communication & Teamwork 
• Innovation & Creativity 
• Marketing & Design 

Academic Areas:

• Geography and Environment 
• Management 
• Sociology 

Organization: Centre for Community Energy Transformation (CCET)

CCET is a not-for-profit, community-based organization operating in the region of Peel with a population of 1.4 million people. CCET will accelerate our community towards a low-carbon future. CCET’s mandate is to convene partners to implement catalytic priorities to accelerate a community transition towards a low-carbon future. CCET’s initial focus will be to collaborate with its municipal partners to decarbonize the building sector through: Advancing Deep Home Retrofits; District Energy Adoption; Spurring Institutional, Commercial and Industry (ICI) Energy Efficiency; and Promoting Climate Change Related Outreach and Engagement. 

Challenge

CCET, working with municipal partners, must dramatically accelerate the pace of home energy retrofits. Examination of EnerGuide audit data from Natural Resources Canada for the years 2006 to 2024 reveals that energy retrofits are completed on average for about 0.5% of all dwellings in any given year. To retrofit the entire building stock by 2050 requires that 3% of all buildings are retrofitted for greater energy efficiency on an annual basis. For single detached homes alone, this means going from hundreds of retrofits per year to thousands per year.

Project

Design a program for CCET to engage youth in CCET’s program areas, particularly to accelerate home energy retrofits, and offer volunteer opportunities to raise awareness of the benefits of home energy retrofits in the community. 

Summary

Up4 The Challenge is seeking volunteers to create meaningful learning experiences for underrepresented youth in STEM fields. Volunteers will identify a partner organization to co-design a workshop, ensuring the program meets community needs. Tasks include conducting Design Thinking research through interviews and focus groups and using this research to inform program design. Volunteers will co-facilitate a workshop with youth, aiming to teach STEM and equity-centered design principles for social impact.  

Weekly meetings will take place Mondays 3pm-4pm during the fall semester. Winter meetings will be scheduled with the project team.

Please note a Vulnerable Sector Check will be required to participate in this project.

Helpful Skills:

• Innovation & Creativity 
• Communication & Teamwork 
• Leadership & Initiative 
• Critical Thinking 
• Compassion 

Academic Areas:

• Anthropology 
• Biology 
• Chemical and Physical Sciences 
• Sociology 
• Communications and Technology 
• Art and Visual Studies 
• Geography and Environment 
• Mathematics and Computer Science 
• Psychology 
• English and Drama 
• Women and Gender Studies 

Organization: Up4 The Challenge

Up4 The Challenge is a dynamic, non-profit social enterprise based in the Greater Toronto-Hamilton Area and Ottawa. Our mission is to inspire youth in grades 7-12 to use STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) for social impact. Participants use a hands-on, Design Thinking process to imagine and prototype solutions to real-world issues in their communities. Our program is led by professional women in science and engineering having extensive experience in human-centered design. By focussing on diversity, creativity, and experiential learning with community organizations, we enable youth to design more innovative and sustainable solutions to complex challenges. Our program partners include the Toronto District School Board, Visions of Science, and Evergreen Brick Works. 

Challenge

Our project focuses on creating meaningful learning experiences for youth who are underrepresented in the STEM fields to increase their understanding of the value of pursuing these subjects. In this project, we are more intentionally aiming to reach youth from any of the following equity-deserving communities: Black, Indigenous, racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+, girls and gender non-binary. 

Project

Our volunteer student team, reflecting both the broader community and the populations we serve, will identify a partner organization to co-design a workshop, ensuring our programs meet the community's specific needs. Our Up4 The Challenge team will support the volunteers in collaborating with this partner organization on Design Thinking research (e.g., interviews with community leaders and focus groups with youth). The volunteers will use the participatory research to inform the design of our programming, with the goal of co-facilitating a workshop with youth in collaboration with our community partner in the winter term. Through this process, the post-secondary students will gain an appreciation for inclusive, interdisciplinary Design Thinking leadership practices, while our program participants in grades 7 to 12 will learn to use STEM and equity-centered design principles to create positive social impact. 

Summary

Evergreen Communication Therapy is seeking volunteers to increase aphasia awareness in businesses by developing training days for employees. The community event days will allow people with aphasia to practice communication skills in real-life settings, such as buying groceries or ordering coffee while simultaneously training business employees on aphasia awareness. Volunteers will research local businesses to work with, create an outreach package and develop a plan for the community event days.  

Helpful Skills:

• Communication & Teamwork 
• Compassion 
• Leadership & Initiative 
• Marketing & Design 
• Research & Data Analysis 

Academic Areas:

Weekly meetings will take place Mondays 2pm-3pm during the fall semester. Winter meetings will be scheduled with the project team.

Please note a Vulnerable Sector Check will be required to participate in this project.

Organization: Evergreen Communication Therapy

At Evergreen, we are a collaborative team of professionals with a focus on providing evidence-based, relevant, functional therapy for individuals and their families affected by aphasia and other acquired communication disorders.  Individually and together we:  - Are advocates for people affected by aphasia  - Provide a respectful, supportive environment  - Seek opportunities to reduce communication barriers and increase communication accessibility in our community and our practice. 

Challenge

We believe that communication is a basic human right. Over 165,000 Canadians are living with aphasia, yet only 5% of people know and understand aphasia. Aphasia is an acquired language disorder affecting speaking, reading, writing, and/or understanding language. Living with aphasia makes participation in society difficult as aphasia is incredibly isolating. 

Project

We are hoping to increase aphasia awareness in businesses by providing aphasia training to employees. Volunteers would create a plan for community event days where people with aphasia can go into those community businesses and practice buying groceries, ordering coffee, etc. These community event days would provide additional training and experience to the business employees, as well as give the people with aphasia a chance to practice their communication skills in a real-life setting while feeling supported. 

Deliverables

Summary

Nankind is seeking volunteers to design and implement a new annual fundraising event to support families affected by cancer. Volunteers will brainstorm and create an engaging event, such as a fashion show luncheon or a run, to generate revenue and attract attendees. Tasks include event planning, execution, and post-event evaluation based on funds raised and attendance.  

Weekly meetings will take place Mondays 4pm-5pm during the fall semester. Winter meetings will be scheduled with the project team.

Helpful Skills:

• Communication & Teamwork 
• Innovation & Creativity 
• Organization 

Academic Areas:

• Management 
• Sociology 
• Economics 

Organization: Nankind (Nanny Angle Network)

Nankind is a registered charity that transforms the cancer experience for families through free childcare and support. Throughout a parent's cancer journey, from diagnosis through bereavement, we give children the coping skills to build lifelong emotional resilience. OUr in-home, virtual and meal support programs give parents time to rest, knowing their children we be supported. Nankind programs are delivered by Certified Child Life Specialists and a caring community of volunteer Angels who are rigorously vetted and trained to give children the skills they need to thrive during the most difficult time.  Our volunteer Angels are the heartbeat of Nankind with their passion, empathy and commitment to changing the world one child at a time. 

Challenge

Nankind does not receive government funding.  All our programs are supported by generous individuals, corporations and foundations.  But the bulk of our funding comes from one event we host annually.  We need to find other sources of income to ensure the viability of the organization. We need to create another annual event to support our programs. 

Project

We are hoping to create a secondary annual event to support our fundraising efforts. It could be a fashion show luncheon, a run or a multitude of other events that would generate revenue and people would like to attend.

Summary

Let’s Get Together is seeking volunteers to develop a sustainable, cost-effective online tech support service for equity-deserving communities. Volunteers will create a meeting platform with clear instructions for clients and volunteers, design an intake ticket tracking system, and develop a comprehensive training program for volunteers. Tasks include setting up a meeting platform, an intake ticket tracking system, and a training program for volunteers. This initiative aims to bridge the digital divide and empower youth, seniors, newcomers, job seekers, and families through accessible technology and community support. 

Weekly meetings will take place Fridays 11am-12pm during the fall semester. Winter meetings will be scheduled with the project team.

Helpful Skills:

• Communication & Teamwork
• Innovation & Creativity
• Critical Thinking
• Organization
• Problem Solving

Academic Areas:

• Communications and Technology
• Management
• Language Studies
• Sociology
• Psychology

Organization: Let's Get Together

Let's Get Together is a non profit organization that aims to make learning equitable and education accessible. We vision a world where every youth has equal opportunity to pursue higher education with no barriers and purposeful support. We create student-led initiatives that inspire youth connections, skill development and mentorship opportunities while helping parents understand the challenges youth face today so they can learn how best to support their child in building their own bright future.  Recognizing that communities' needs have increased since the pandemic, the impact of our work now extends beyond youth to include seniors, newcomers, job seekers, families and others who face a multitude of barriers in their pursuit for education, employment and well-being. 

Challenge

Our organization distributes free as well as more affordable computers to organizations and individuals with equity deserving communities.  We want to provide an online tech support service to these individuals. 

Project

We hope to develop a sustainable, cost-effective online tech support service to these individuals to help them set up their computers at home and address any issues they may have. 

Summary

Community on Campus is a collaborative program by Community Living Mississauga and the University of Toronto Mississauga, providing enriching experiences for people with intellectual disabilities. Recently, the program has faced challenges in recruiting student volunteers, crucial for its success. To address this, the newly formed UTM Campus Connections club aims to boost awareness and inclusion. This project will bring together a group of volunteers to help recruit for vacant executive board roles, plan a 6-month calendar of events, and establish partnerships with 10 other student clubs.  

Weekly meetings will take place Tuesdays 4-5pm during the fall semester. Winter meetings will be scheduled with the project team.

Helpful Skills:

• Marketing & Design 
• Organization 
• Social Justice & Advocacy 
• Problem Solving 

Academic Areas:

• Anthropology
• Sociology 
• Psychology 
• Management 

Organization: Community Living Mississauga

Community on Campus is a program offered by Community Living Mississauga in collaboration with University of Toronto Mississauga that provides a university experience for people from the community who have an intellectual disability. Community on Campus participants and UTM student volunteers participate in various social, recreational and educational opportunities on campus. Community Living Mississauga is a non-profit organization that has been providing supports and services to people who have an intellectual disability for over 65 years. 

Challenge

The Community on Campus program offered by Community Living Mississauga has been operating in partnership with University of Toronto Mississauga for over 25 years. Recently, the program has experienced challenges with recruiting student volunteers, who are at the core of the program's success. We would like to increase awareness of the program among the student body, attracting new volunteers. 

Project

Recently, one of our valued student volunteers took the initiative to form an officially recognized student club, UTM Campus Connections that intends to raise awareness of Community on Campus among the student population and promote inclusion help us fulfill our mission.  We hope to engage SIP student participants to support UTM Campus Connections get off the ground with assistance in recruiting club members, planning and organizing club events, developing collaborations with other clubs, and more. We also hope to improve the reach of our own social media presence, increasing the number of students who sign up to volunteer with us. 

Summary

Peel Institute of Research and Training is a collaborative initiative by Family Services of Peel, dedicated to preventing all forms of violence through an anti-oppression, anti-racism framework. They are looking for a group of students to develop a marketing and advocacy campaign targeting Hispanic, Caribbean, Chinese, and Filipino seniors in Peel. The project involves creating five short videos showcasing seniors’ experiences in social tables, promoting health and wellbeing, and breaking isolation. Deliverables include increased senior participation, enhanced social media presence, and impactful storytelling. 

Weekly meetings will take place Thursdays 1pm-2pm during the fall semester. Winter meetings will be scheduled with the project team.

Please note a Vulnerable Sector Check will be required to participate in this project.

Helpful Skills:

• Compassion 
• Communication & Teamwork 
• Innovation & Creativity 
• Marketing & Design 
• Social Justice & Advocacy 

Academic Areas:

• Anthropology
• Art and Visual Studies 
• Communications and Technology 
• History 
• Language Studies 
• Political Science 
• Psychology 
• Sociology 

Organization: Peel Institute of Research and Training

The Peel Institute of Research and Training (formerly the Peel Institute on Violence Prevention) is the research arm of Family Services of Peel was established as a collaborative initiative focusing on the prevention of all forms of violence in Peel. Grounded in an anti-oppression, anti-racism framework, the Institute operates from a data-driven, evidence-informed, impact evaluation model. It includes the combined perspectives of the diverse population of Peel, clients, survivors, service providers, community agencies, and academia. We work with the diverse community of Peel 

Challenge

We would like the students to develop a marketing and advocacy campaign to reach out to seniors in four communities in Peel: Hispanic, Caribbean, Chinese and Phiphino in Peel. 

Project

we have hoping to create a series of short videos with seniors from the four diverse communities  to promote the work happening in the seniors social tables. They videos will be used to promote the participation of older adults in the seniors tables. We would like to highlight the improvement of health and wellbeing of them as they brake isolation and improve social relations and activities 

Summary

Caledon Dufferin Victim Services (CDVS) is seeking volunteers to update their Crisis Responder Religion & Bereavement Reference Manual. This project involves reviewing and enhancing the manual with the latest information on different religious practices, death and dying rituals, and emotional expressions after loss. Volunteers will research reliable sources and incorporate new online and local resources to create a comprehensive, print-ready booklet.

Weekly meetings will take place Wednesdays 4pm-5pm during the fall semester. Winter meetings will be scheduled with the project team.

Helpful Skills:

• Communication & Teamwork 
• Marketing & Design 
• Organization 
• Research & Data Analysis 

Academic Areas:

• Anthropology
• Psychology 
• Sociology 
• English and Drama 
• Art and Visual Studies 

Organization: Caledon Dufferin Victim Services

Caledon Dufferin Victim Services (CDVS) provides immediate emotional support, information and referrals to victims of crime and tragic circumstances, their families and witnesses. Services are delivered free of charge, one on one, confidentially either in person or over the phone 

Challenge

Our organization supports victims of crime or tragedy; some clients come from different religious backgrounds than the staff/crisis responders who are supporting them. Staff and Crisis Responders require information and training about different religions including death and dying rituals, emotion expression after loss and the range of resources available to support these individuals, in order to enhance our programs.   Back in 2015 a group of UTM students created a Crisis Responder Religion & Bereavement Reference Manual to assist our staff and crisis responders.  We would like to have this resource reviewed, updated and further enhanced with new online and local resources. 

Project

We are hoping to have our Bereavement in different cultures manual updated to include the most recent information from reliable sources.