There is a new tool available in the region that will aid non-profit organizations in need of volunteers and people looking to donate their time to a cause.

VolunteerConnection.ca is a website that went live in April and is just being publicly promoted now that its been up and running for a few months.

The website is a bulletin board type service where social agencies and groups can post volunteer opportunities. Individuals wanting to volunteer can in turn view the site.

"This is a really useful site for people wanting to do something in the community and for agencies that need help," Joy Martin, an outreach worker for United Way, said.

The website is possible thanks to an Ontario Trillium Foundation grant.

The site is overseen by a community partnership, comprised of Community Connection - the free online and telephone information referral service in the area, the United Way of South Georgian Bay, Huron United Way, United Way of Bruce-Grey and United Way of Perth County.

The Bruce-Grey-Huron-Perth-Georgian Triangle Training Board is also a partner. The provincially funded board works with community partners to advocate for and pursue local solutions to overcome training and employment barriers in order to ensure a skilled labour force.

The website, Martin said, is the result of a study that several agencies conducted in 2004, to determine how communication between volunteers and the organizations that needed them could be improved.

In addition to listing volunteer opportunities, Martin said the site provides information on training opportunities for volunteers, as well as for managers of volunteers.

In an interview Friday, she noted the site also contains a virtual library with information about volunteering, including best practice and policy information.

"That section of the site will only continue to expand," she said.

As well, the site contains a section for student volunteers.

Martin said she can see the site gaining in popularity as word about it spreads.

"Right now it's not terribly well known but that will change," she said, adding that volunteering is a key component in terms of making many social agencies and programs successful.

To date, Martin said the site has 73 postings from organizations looking for volunteers.

"And most of them need more than one volunteer," she said.

To view the website, click the link provided. 

The United Way of South Georgian Bay is making presentations of the site to groups. To arrange for a presentation, or for more information about the site, call 444-1141.

Information is also available from Alice Grottoli at Community Connection by calling 444-0040, ext. 222.