Social Innovation Project

The Canadian Premature Babies Foundation (CPBF) is seeking volunteers to improve how NICU families engage with health research and community projects. Volunteers will design outreach materials and plain-language resources to help parents understand and participate in research through the LivedMatch platform. Tasks include creating digital content, developing a short outreach calendar, and drafting an evaluation template. This project aims to make research participation more inclusive, trauma-informed, and accessible for families with lived NICU experience across Canada.

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

Academic Alignments:

• Psychology
• Sociology
• Communications and Technology
• Anthropology
• Management
• Mathematics and Computer Science
• Biology
• Chemical and Physical Sciences  
• Art and Visual Studies
• English and Drama
• Language Studies

Organization: Canadian Premature Babies Foundation (CPBF) in collaboration with LivedMatch

The Canadian Premature Babies Foundation (CPBF) is a national charity led by parents who have lived experience with premature birth. CPBF provides education, advocacy, and support for families with babies in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) across Canada. Its mission is to ensure that every premature baby and family has equal access to the best standard of care.

LivedMatch is a Canadian Start Up creating an online platform that connects people with lived experience (PWLE) to researchers, charities, and community projects. Starting with perinatal and NICU-related mental health, LivedMatch will make it faster, safer, and more equitable for families and researchers to collaborate through fair matching, short training, and trauma-informed practices.

Together, CPBF and LivedMatch are partnering to improve how NICU parents and caregivers can contribute meaningfully to health research and community initiatives.

Challenge

Families who experience premature birth often want to give back by helping shape research and programs. However, current systems to involve parents with lived experience (PWLE) are slow, confusing, and inequitable. Researchers often rely on personal networks, which limits diversity and leaves many families excluded. Parents who are ready to share their insights may not know how to connect safely or meaningfully.

Project

We propose a student-supported pilot that helps CPBF and LivedMatch improve how families and researchers connect. Students will design outreach and educational resources to recruit diverse families and researchers into the LivedMatch platform, and create plain-language research-related materials and/or trainings. They will also co-develop a strategy for CPBF and LivedMatch to share results with the wider NICU and perinatal community.

Summary

Evergreen Communication Therapy is seeking volunteers to help build a sustainable social media presence that raises awareness about aphasia and communication accessibility. Volunteers will design a 12-month content strategy, create branded Canva templates, and produce biweekly posts featuring client stories, aphasia facts, and program highlights. As part of the project, volunteers will research aphasia and other acquired communication disorders, explore nonprofit engagement best practices, and gain insight into speech and language therapy for adults. Tasks include developing a content calendar and identifying tools to streamline posting. This project aims to amplify Evergreen’s mission, connect with new supporters, and reduce communication barriers for individuals and families affected by communication challenges.

Please Note: Participants in this project will be required to complete the following requirements:

• Participate in one aphasia conversation group session during the fall semester and sign a confidentiality agreement before attending
• Attend the virtual Aphasia Communication Partner training session.

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

Academic Alignments:

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

Organization: Evergreen Communication Therapy

Evergreen Communication Therapy is a collaborative team of professionals dedicated to providing evidence-based, functional therapy for individuals and families affected by aphasia and other acquired communication disorders. We are strong advocates for people living with communication challenges, offering a respectful and supportive environment where clients can build skills and confidence. Our work extends beyond therapy to actively seeking opportunities to reduce communication barriers and promote communication accessibility both in our community and within our practice.

Challenge

Over 165,000 Canadians live with aphasia, yet only 5% of the population are aware of or understand this communication disorder. Accessing specialized services for adult communication disorders is challenging. While we share updates and resources online, Evergreen Communication Therapy’s social media presence currently lacks a consistent content plan. As a small practice, we are eager to raise aphasia awareness year-round, share valuable resources, and highlight our programs and community impact. However, our limited staff capacity makes it difficult to plan, design, and post content consistently, limiting our ability to grow our reach and engage new audiences effectively.

Project

We are hoping to work with a SIP volunteer team to design a 12-month social media content strategy and create a library of branded templates that can be reused across platforms. The project will include research into best practices for nonprofit social media engagement, a content calendar tailored to our programs and awareness goals, and practical tools to streamline ongoing content creation. By developing these resources, we aim to share our story more consistently, connect with new supporters, and raise awareness about aphasia and communication accessibility within our community. This project has strong potential to build a sustainable social media presence that amplifies our mission and strengthens community connections.

The Centre for Community Energy Transformation (CCET) is seeking volunteers to develop a culturally responsive outreach strategy that promotes home energy retrofits across Peel Region. Volunteers will analyze demographic data, engage community partners, and explore cultural perspectives on energy use. Tasks include creating resident-friendly educational materials, identifying effective communication channels, and summarizing insights from focus groups or interviews. This project aims to improve CCET’s engagement with diverse homeowners and support the transition to low-carbon, electrified homes in one of Canada’s most multicultural regions.

Please Note: A vulnerable sector check will be required for this project.

Weekly meetings will take place Fridays 12pm-1pm during the fall semester. Winter meetings will be scheduled with the project team.

Academic Alignments:

• Communications and Technology
• Geography and Environment
• Language Studies
• Psychology
• Sociology

Organization: Centre for Community Energy Transformation

The Centre for Community Energy Transformation (CCET) is a registered not-for-profit corporation. The mission is to accelerate the move towards a low-carbon future in Ontario communities by, among other measures: (a) advancing deep home energy retrofits; (b) encouraging district energy; (c) spurring Industrial, Commercial and Institutional (ICI) energy efficiency; and (d) promoting outreach and engagement on the importance of energy planning among residents, developers and the ICI sector. CCET is focussed in the Region of Peel

Challenge

The Centre for Community Energy Transformation (CCET) is seeking support to address a key challenge: how to effectively engage and educate diverse homeowners across the Peel Region about home energy retrofits and electrification solutions. Peel is one of the most culturally diverse regions in Canada, and communication strategies must reflect the unique languages, nationalities, and cultural perspectives of its residents.

Project

To develop a culturally responsive and demographically informed outreach strategy  that improves CCET’s engagement with homeowners across Peel Region, while educating residents about home energy retrofits and electrification solutions, engaging community partners, and understanding cultural perspectives on energy use.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel York (BBBSPY) is seeking volunteers to help strengthen youth mentoring by improving volunteer recruitment and retention. Volunteers will explore what motivates or discourages young adults (18–25) from becoming Mentors through surveys or focus groups. Based on findings, the team will develop a tailored recruitment strategy and design a Mentor Appreciation & Recruitment event. This project supports BBBSPY’s mission to empower youth through meaningful mentoring relationships that foster well-being, social-emotional growth, and future readiness.

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

Academic Alignments:

• Communications and Technology
• Sociology
• Psychology
• Anthropology
• Mathematics and Computer Science

Organization: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel York 

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel York (BBBSPY) delivers impactful one-to-one and group mentoring programs for children and youth (ages 6–18) across Peel and York Regions. With 16 core programs offered in schools and the community, BBBSPY supports young people from low to moderate income families, many of whom are racialized, and have experienced multiple Adverse Childhood Experiences.

Grounded in an evidence-based mentoring model, all programs follow Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada’s National Standards of Quality Assurance to ensure child safety and program effectiveness. Volunteer Mentors are thoroughly screened and trained, children and youth receive individualized needs assessments, and experienced Caseworkers provide regular match support through ongoing check-ins and problem-solving.

Our programs are designed to foster positive youth development, focusing on three key outcomes: stronger social-emotional skills, improved mental health and well-being, and greater educational engagement and employment readiness.

Challenge

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel York (BBBSPY) depends on volunteer Mentors to support children and youth in our community. In recent years, we’ve faced growing challenges in recruiting and retaining volunteers—particularly young adults (18–25) whose lived experiences allow them to connect deeply with the diverse youth we serve. We aim to better understand what drives or discourages this age group from volunteering and adapt our strategies to more effectively recruit and retain them.

Project

We are hoping to engage a team of UTM students  in developing youth-informed solutions to strengthen our Mentor recruitment and retention strategy. This includes conducting a needs assessment with post-secondary students to identify motivators and barriers, creating a tailored recruitment plan based on those findings, and designing a celebratory Mentor Appreciation & Recruitment event that both recognizes current volunteers and attracts new ones.

Heart Comonos is seeking volunteers to help expand its reach and sustainability in Cooksville, Mississauga. Volunteers will design a strategic outreach and engagement plan to raise awareness of free wellness programs like yoga, dance, and art. Tasks include creating a digital marketing campaign using workshop photos and testimonials, developing social media content, and identifying local fundraising opportunities. This project aims to boost community participation, attract new donors and partners, and ensure Heart Comonos continues to uplift residents through accessible, community-driven wellness initiatives.

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

Academic Alignments:

• Communications and Technology
• Management
• Sociology

Organization: Heart Comonos

Heart Comonos is a non-profit based in Cooksville, Mississauga, offering free wellness and health programs—such as fitness, yoga, dance, art, and more- for the community. Comonos comes from the Latin word meaning “Together as One,” reflecting our mission to connect and uplift people through shared experiences.

Challenge

Heart Comonos provides accessible wellness and health-related workshops- such as Fitness, dance, yoga, art and wellness workshops- to promote community connection and well-being in Cooksville, Mississauga. However, our growth is limited due to limited amounts of consistent funding (grants and donations) and limited outreach capacity, which restricts our ability to attract more participants, partners, and donors. We need support to raise awareness and create sustainable funding pathways to continue serving the community.

Project

We are hoping for a strategic outreach and engagement project that helps Heart Comonos to boost community awareness, strengthen online presence, and improve fundraising. This could include designing a targeted digital campaign, developing compelling storytelling content (such as testimonials of our current workshop attendees), and creating outreach materials to connect with potential funders, community members, and partners

Let’s Get Together (LGT) is seeking volunteers to help expand brand awareness through mission-driven merchandise. Volunteers will develop 1–2 product lines aligned with LGT’s educational goals, create a strategic marketing plan with template designs, and pilot a business activity to fund initial production. Proceeds from True North Friends sales will support tech equity by refurbishing and donating computers to individuals in need. This project blends creativity, strategy, and social impact to empower diverse communities.

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

Academic Alignments:

• Communications and Technology
• English and Drama
• Management
• Psychology
• Economics
• Art and Visual Studies

Organization: Let's Get Together

Let’s Get Together (LGT) is a women-led Canadian nonprofit organization based in the Greater Toronto Area with a growing national reach. We are dedicated to creating equitable, inclusive, and tech-enabled learning opportunities by removing systemic barriers to education.

Through community partnerships, repurposed technology, and youth-led skill-building programs, we empower job seekers, students, seniors and families to gain the tools, knowledge, and support they need to thrive in today’s growing digital world. Our mission is to ensure that every individual, regardless of background, has access to meaningful education, real-world learning experiences, and the opportunity to reach their full potential with no barriers. 

Challenge

Following the publication of our growth mindset chapter book for middle school students, our organization faces the challenge of expanding brand awareness with limited resources and knowledge of the target audience. They would like to develop 3–5 affordable merchandise product lines that resonate with students, parents, and educators so that they can use them at home, in school and with friends. The ultimate goal is to create meaningful, mission-aligned products that strengthen engagement and support our broader educational impact.

Project

Develop a line of mission-driven merchandise that appeals to students, parents, and educators, supported by a strategic marketing with template designs, a business plan to fund the creation of future product lines, and a pilot of one of the activities outlined in the buisness plan to cover initial production costs of one of the product lines.  Proceeds from True North Friends sales will go towards LGT Goal #1: achieving tech equity through refurbishing computers to be donated, free of charge, to individuals in need in the community.

Up4 The Challenge is seeking volunteers to help develop an equity-centered STEM learning module for youth in grades 7–12. Volunteers will research and prototype a case study that teaches Design Thinking through real-world community issues. Tasks include conducting interviews, testing activities with youth, and creating workshop-ready materials like videos and interactive prompts. This project supports underrepresented youth in STEM and offers volunteers hands-on experience in inclusive design and social impact education.

Please Note: Participants in this project will need to complete Up4 The Challenge's Volunteer Agreement.

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

Academic Alignments:

• Art and Visual Studies
• Communications and Technology
• Mathematics and Computer Science
• Biology
• Chemical and Physical Sciences
• Anthropology
• Sociology

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 co-design with youth in grades 7 to 12 a learning module that presents an innovative design case study for use in our educational workshops. The module will teach workshop participants the design process and mindsets, using a relatable community example to show how STEM and equity-centered design can create positive social impact. Our Up4 The Challenge team will support the UTM volunteers in Design Thinking research and testing (e.g., interviews with community leaders and focus groups with youth). Through this process, the post-secondary students will gain an appreciation for inclusive, interdisciplinary Design Thinking leadership practices.

BacharLorai is seeking volunteers to evaluate and scale its Global Impact Fellowship (GIF), a program empowering young leaders. Volunteers will assess last year’s cohort through surveys, interviews, and data analysis, and benchmark global fellowship models to inform GIF’s growth. Tasks include designing an impact assessment tool, mapping stakeholders, and developing evidence-based strategies for sustainability. This project supports BacharLorai’s mission to build global community power through research, innovation, and culturally rooted leadership.

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

Academic Alignments:

• Sociology
• Management
• Psychology
• Mathematics and Computer Science
• Economics
• Political Science

Organization: BacharLorai

BacharLorai is an award-winning non-profit social impact agency founded in April 2023, with a mission to empower Bangladeshis globally through community building, policy research, and signature initiatives, including humanitarian aid, youth fellowships, and cultural products.

Challenge

BacharLorai’s Global Impact Fellowship (GIF) aims to strengthen its impact and scalability. The challenge is to measure GIF’s influence on last year’s cohort through robust evaluation, while also identifying actionable strategies to expand the program’s reach and sustainability in the current and future cycles.

Project

We propose to engage SIP volunteers in evaluating the outcomes of the GIF program through interviews, surveys, and data analysis, and in researching proven models from similar global fellowship and mentorship initiatives. Insights from this process will inform a practical, evidence-based strategy to enhance GIF’s effectiveness and scalability.

Family Services of Peel – Peel Institute of Research and Training (PIRT) is seeking volunteers to help bridge the gap between community and research. Volunteers will develop a comprehensive marketing and communications package to promote PIRT’s impactful social research. Tasks include creating a video overview, designing outreach materials, and crafting a long-term strategy to share research outcomes across platforms. This project aims to make PIRT’s work more accessible and engaging for Peel residents.

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

Academic Alignments:

• Art and Visual Studies
• Communications and Technology
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Sociology

Organization: Family Services of Peel-Peel Institute of Research and Training

Family Services of Peel- Institute for Research and training has been services the most vulnerable population of Peel since 1971. The organization provides social services and programs in areas such as violence, employment, and parenting. The services focus on women, people with disabilities and seniors. The Peel Institute of Research and Training collect, analysis and report social data using a participatory action methodology. 

Challenge

Oftentimes the disconnect and limited engagement between community and research is overlooked. Community research outcomes are treated as esoteric—few community partners are able to access this knowledge and use it. We are aiming to develop a comprehensive marketing package that can effectively and consistently communicate Peel Institute of Research and Training's beneficial research excellence to the residents of Peel.

Project

Through this Social Innovation Project, we are hoping to create a comprehensive marketing package and communication strategy that can help us share our community development research outcomes with the residents of Peel.

Caledon\Dufferin Victim Services (CDVS) is seeking volunteers to help strengthen its data collection practices to better support victims of crime, abuse, and tragedy. Volunteers will assess current data forms, identify key metrics commonly used in grant applications, and recommend improvements to align with strategic planning needs. Deliverables include a list of impactful data points, a grant application template, and revised data collection tools. This project will enhance CDVS’s ability to secure funding and plan effectively.

Please Note: A vulnerable sector check will be required for this project.

Weekly meetings will take place Tuesdays 12pm-1pm during the fall semester. Winter meetings will be scheduled with the project team.

Academic Alignments:

•  Management
• Mathematics and Computational Science
• Psychology
• Political Science

Organization: Caledon\Dufferin Victim Services 

CDVS exists so that:

Residents and others who encounter crisis in Caledon\Dufferin can cope with their current circumstances necessitating the continuing investment of public and charitable resources.

Caledon\Dufferin Victim Services supports victims of crime, abuse, and tragedy – enabling the continuum of recovery through rapid response, informed referrals and community partnerships.

Challenge

Our organization serves victims of crime as a charitable not-for-profit. We would like to be situated to apply to grants using data we collect and also use the data to inform our strategic annual plans. We collect data based on our main funder's needs which may not translate to our best collection practices.

Project

We are hoping to have students identify what data we should capture during our processes to inform our strategic plans and also to use to apply for further funding and grants.