CAB Les Artisans de l'Aide

What Quebec volunteers do

Quebecers participate in volunteer activities of all kinds, to the benefit of individuals, organizations and local collectives. In addition to organizing events, serving on a board of directors or participating in fundraising campaigns, here is a list of the kinds of volunteer activities that have directly benefited others:

Visiting seniors
Accompanying seniors to medical appointments or on errands such as grocery shopping
Babysitting a child/children
Writing letters, solving problems
Helping the ill or elderly

Gardening or maintenance work
Housework and cleaning work
Cooking
Teaching or acting as a volunteer trainer
Managing a business

The beginnings of volunteerism in Quebec

1995

Secrétariat à l’action bénévole IS CREATED

Advising the government on which actions to take regarding volunteer and community action, recognition for the contribution of volunteers in Quebec.

1688

THE bureau des pauvres IS FOUNDED IN QUEBEC CITY

Providing money, food and clothing to the poor.

1848

THE SociETY OF Saint-Vincent de Paul IS FOUNDED

Directing clothing donations, helping individuals find work, home visits.

1851

YMCA (Young Men’s Christian Association) is established Montreal

Improving quality of life for men and women having difficulty, setting up placement offices, training centres, social clubs, summer camps, libraries, etc.

1884

SALVATION ARMY IS FOUNDED

Assistance for single people and alcoholics.

1893

MontrEal council of women is created

Focusing on the issue of infant mortality.

1900

Caisses populaires Desjardins ARE ESTABLISHED

Arranged into areas of intervention, in which volunteers work and serve on committees and boards. Started several agricultural coops.

1909

canadiAn RED CROSS SOCIETY IS FOUNDED

Caring for the sick, working in emergency blood donor clinics and running daycare centres for the children of women working in the military industry.

1937

THE FIRST Centre d'action bénévole - VOLUNTEER ACTION CENTER - IS CREATED IN MontrEal

Supporting and consolidating the volunteer sector by providing volunteer recruitment and training.

1966

Centraide is founded

Bringing togethers volunteer and financial resources, promoting mutual aid, social engagement and ownership, to improve quality of life for the collective and for its most vulnerable members.