Social & Community Services Organizations in Kingston

The Epilepsy & Seizure Disorder Resource Centre of Southeastern Ontario (also known as Epilepsy Resource Centre) is a non-profit organization that offers epilepsy support services to all of Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington Counties, as well as Leeds & Grenville County. We also work towards spreading epilepsy awareness to the community as this disorder is not well understood by the public. Our organization continues to grow in response to the need to provide comprehensive support to all those affected by epilepsy and seizure disorders.

Extend-A-Family (EAF) was established in 1981 with a goal of providing individuals who have a disability with opportunities to develop friendships and integrate into their communities.

Extend-A-Family Kingston is committed to providing a range of supports and services to individuals with a disability and their families. As a not-for-profit organization, Extend-A-Family Kingston is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. We provide a choice of services and supports for children with developmental disabilities, physical disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorders as well as a range of services and supports for adults with a developmental disability.

Jobwell (previously VOCEC) exists to create meaningful job opportunities for people living with persistent mental illness and is seeking Volunteer Board Members to help support its continued success and growth.

To achieve its mission, Jobwell operates a series of small businesses including cafes, commercial cleaning, and assembly. Together, these ventures employ 100 people living with mental illness. As an award-winning not-for-profit, all earnings are reinvested to create more jobs in Kingston.

We have weathered the pandemic and are on a mission to grow. Volunteering as a Board Member is a meaningful way to contribute to a thriving and vibrant Kingston community.

Board Member Contributions:

- Volunteer 2-3 hours per month
- Provide Operational Guidance
- Suggest and approve ideas for new and existing businesses
- Review Financial Statements and approve allocation of funds
- Provide guidance and input for policy development
- Advocate on behalf of the corporation and its members
- Contribute to planning and strategic exercises to ensure business growth

KIMRI
Who We Are
Foundations: Then and Now

- Then: KIMRI was formed by a young black Muslim and an older white Christian. When their academic backgrounds and experience converged, they had many discussions around racism in Kingston. At this intersection of their lives, they concluded that a more expansive approach would be more effective in resolving long standing social problems, since existing initiatives tended to focus on particular groups and a holistic take would engage the whole community.

- Now: Kingston Institute for Multi-Racial Inclusion (KIMRI) is an incorporated non-profit social enterprise. Through substantive conversation, we address deep seated challenges related to equity, diversity, inclusion and Indigenization (EDII.) A dedicated board of directors collaborates with various laudable initiatives to create meaningful change.

Tetra Society is a non-profit organization of dedicated volunteers who create custom assistive devices for people with disabilities to provide better quality of life and greater independence.

The goal of a community land trust is to acquire property, and provide affordable housing for the community in which they are established. We do that by pooling, grants, donations, and private loans to buy residential buildings at market value and hold them in a trust for the long term benefit of the community.

The long term community benefit is secured through land lease agreements and democratic governance of the Land Trust as a non-profit. Think of it like a co-op for the entire City of Kingston. A co-op that you are entitled to membership in by virtue of being someone who lives, or works in the City of Kingston. Members vote on the election of board members, acquisitions, allocation of funds, and the initiation of community projects.

The community land trust model is flexible meaning that we can mold it to bring the largest benefit to the Kingston community. Whether we want to provide affordable high-quality <a href="https://pnlt.ca/">rentals</a> to the students and low income residents of the City, or open up new avenues to <a href="https://northernclt.ca/">homeownership </a>in the City the community land trust model has been proven to reduce the cost of housing in the areas they operate in.

<strong>We are still in the startup phase</strong>, so if you are interested in helping craft the vision and path of this new not-for-profit reach out! We are looking for:
<ul>
<li>Volunteers</li>
<li>Board Members</li>
<li>Community Organizations</li>
<li>Passionate Students</li>
<li>Experts in the Community</li>
</ul>

Local volunteer led group raising funds for local mental health services and programs, organized through Mood Disorders Canada.

WHO WE ARE

Lasagna Love is a global nonprofit and grassroots movement that aims to positively impact communities by connecting neighbors with neighbors through homemade meal delivery. We also seek to eliminate stigmas associated with asking for help when it is needed most. Our mission is simple: feed families, spread kindness, and strengthen communities.

Our Mission

Lasagna Love was started at the beginning of the pandemic when the founder of Good to Mama was looking for a way to help moms in her community. She and her toddler started making and delivering meals to families in the neighborhood who were struggling, whether that struggle was financial, emotional, or simply a feeling of overwhelm.

Lasagna Love has since grown into an international movement, with thousands of people all cooking and delivering meals to families in their communities. What we do is simple: feed families, spread kindness, and strengthen communities. Our mission is not only to help address the incredible rise in food insecurity among families but also to provide a simple act of love and kindness during a time full of uncertainty and stress.

We are seeking Lasagna Chefs (LC)! What is a Lasagna Chef (LC)?
This is you, our wonderful team of volunteers who answer the call every week to provide meals to people who request. Sign up for a completely flexible volunteer opportunity that is done on your schedule. You can sign up to deliver one time or as often as you'd like!

The Limestone Century is an annual event operated by Cycle Kingston. Cycle Kingston, Inc., is a registered Canadian charitable organization and incorporated non-profit whose mandate is to provide safe cycling education and cycling skills training in Kingston, Ontario, so that citizens will gain competence and confidence, and will become empowered to choose cycling as a personal means of transportation. Cycling offers many benefits: health, well-being, environmental, economic, social, and more.

The Limestone Century Bicycle Tour requires 3 - 4 months of planning, culminating the the ride on the 2nd Sunday of September each year. Funds raised support Cycle Kingston in their community cycling initiatives, and also supports operation of its social enterprises, Gear Up! Recycled Bicycles and Bicycle Valet Kingston. As a wholly volunteer-driven organization, we rely on volunteer service, support and energy.

Our mission is to provide a caring place where people in need can have access to a nutritious meal and find community social support.

Martha’s Table is a community center within the social welfare network of the City of Kingston.

Martha’s Table provides a unique home where respect, compassion, caring and social interaction can occur in an atmosphere of mutual support, with nutritious meals in comfortable dining facility.

Martha’s Table provides opportunities for volunteers to give back, gain skills and make a meaningful contribution to the community.

Serving over 150 meals daily, between the dining room, meal delivery and take out window there are many opportunities for volunteers to help.

https://marthastable.ca/volunteer-sign-up/

Ongwanada supports individuals who have a Developmental Disability and their families through a wide range of services and supports.

We actively pursue community solutions which aim to end homelessness, in partnership with people with lived experience.