A Guide to Student Placement Opportunities at RWC
Empowering the Next Generation of Professionals
The moment you step into the Rexdale Women’s Centre, you’re greeted by a dynamic atmosphere, where passionate volunteers bring every department to life with their commitment and energy. RWC is more than just a centre—it’s a thriving multicultural community that empowers women and their families in countless ways. For social work students, this is an ideal environment to gain hands-on experience, working with diverse clients in real-world situations. It offers the opportunity to apply key concepts such as an anti-oppressive, client-centered, and strength-based approach while also developing leadership skills and learning to navigate challenging situations. Here, opportunities are never in short supply—our staff actively encourage students to take on new challenges, build confidence, and expand their skill sets in meaningful ways.
One of our placement students, Jittu Johnson, from the Social Service Worker program at Seneca Polytechnic, shared his experience:
“I had my own difficulties at the beginning facilitating an entire group but my supervisor stepped up and gave me great guidance and resources I need to overcome it.”
RWC offers enriching placement opportunities for students looking to grow both personally and professionally.
How to Apply
Click the button below to apply for a volunteer or student placement at RWC.
Why Choose RWC for Your Student Placement?
At RWC, students are given the chance to contribute meaningfully to various programs and initiatives. We work with about 75-100 students each year to help facilitate our programming. Whether you’re studying social work, community services, or administration, our placement opportunities are tailored to help you build essential skills while supporting our mission to foster an inclusive and thriving community.
Here are just a few benefits of completing your placement at RWC:
Hands-On Experience: Gain practical skills by working alongside experienced professionals in programs such as settlement services, employment support, youth mentorship, seniors services and more.
Professional Development: Learn how to manage real-life challenges, communicate effectively with diverse groups, and coordinate impactful community initiatives. Our staff are dedicated to providing our volunteers with meaningful opportunities to develop professional.
Networking Opportunities: Build valuable connections with like-minded peers, mentors, and leaders in the non-profit sector.
A Meaningful Impact: Be part of an organization that helps improve the lives of women, newcomers, and marginalized communities in Toronto.
Areas of Opportunity
The Rexdale Women’s Centre has three locations and multiple departments, offering placement students exciting opportunities to fulfill their volunteer hours.
Settlement and Integration Services
Location: 21 Panorama Ct, Etobicoke
In the Settlement and Integration Department, you will collaborate closely with settlement counsellors to offer personalized support to newcomers, helping them navigate the complexities of settling in Canada by providing one-on-one assistance with tasks such as form completion, housing applications and referral to community resources. Additionally, you will play an active role in facilitating workshops that address key topics of importance to newcomers, including immigration and citizenship, education, housing, and the Canadian legal system. This hands-on experience will deepen your understanding of the challenges faced by newcomers and allow you to contribute meaningfully to their successful integration into Canadian society.
Women Services
Location: 925 Albion Rd, Etobicoke
In our Women’s Services Department, students have the opportunity to shadow experienced counsellors as they provide supportive counseling to clients, offering guidance and emotional support tailored to individual needs. Additionally, students assist in facilitating parenting groups and healthy relationship groups, gaining hands-on experience in group dynamics and therapeutic approaches. This immersive experience allows students to develop essential skills in active listening, crisis intervention, and community resource navigation.
Employment Services
Location: 21 Panorama Ct, Etobicoke
In the Employment Department, you will provide valuable support to clients by assisting with job-search related tasks, including crafting resumes, writing cover letters, and submitting applications. Additionally, you will manage front desk operations, ensuring a welcoming and organized environment, while also helping to facilitate workshops that focus on essential job-search skills, interview preparation, and career development. Through this experience, you will gain firsthand insight into the employment challenges faced by marginlized job seekers and contribute to their efforts in securing meaningful employment.
Seniors Services
Location: 21 Panorama Ct, Etobicoke
Our Seniors Department is always bustling with activity, offering a wide range of programs and events designed to enrich the lives of local seniors. With 8 ethnocultural groups for seniors who share a cultural background, as well as computer classes, tailored workshops, summer field trips and fitness activities like yoga, there’s never a shortage of opportunities to get involved. As a student placement volunteer, you will play an integral role in supporting and facilitating these vibrant communities.
Youth Services
Location: 925 Albion Rd, Etobicoke
In the Youth Services Department, you will support a variety of programs aimed at empowering youth. You will assist with life skills workshops, helping youth develop personal and professional skills, and mentor newcomer youth as they adjust to their new environment. Additionally, you will help organize and facilitate programs tailored to youth interests, such as arts and crafts days and homework help hangouts. This experience will provide valuable insight into the challenges youth face while contributing to their personal growth and development.
Violence Prevention and Intervention
Location: 925 Albion Rd, Etobicoke
In the Violence Prevention and Intervention Department, students will assist councellors in facilitating workshops that educate men about various forms of abuse, the impact of violence on children, and how to develop healthier coping and relationship strategies. Additionally, they will contribute to research to further enhance the program offered to clients.
Newcomer Community Connections
Location: 21 Panorama Ct, Etobicoke
The Community Connections Department helps newcomers build meaningful relationships with their new communities in Canada. The program offers a variety of engaging activities, including weekly English Language Circles where newcomers practice their English skills around interesting topics, a monthly Cooking Club Night for sharing recipes, and Movie Nights for watching films in English followed by lively discussions. As a student placement volunteer, you will facilitate these sessions and work directly with newcomers, gaining insight into their challenges in integrating into Canadian society. The program also offers mental health and wellness workshops to support newcomers' overall well-being.
Sharing Reuse and Learning Centre
Location: 2667 Kipling Avenue
Are you passionate about the environment? Volunteer at the Sharing Reuse and Learning Centre and help lead community projects focused on environmental initiatives. You’ll have the opportunity to run workshops like the 3Rs Ambassador training, teaching participants how to manage waste in their buildings and share this knowledge with others. You can also assist with bicycle hub repairs, small appliance repair training, and contribute to the community garden. Additionally, you’ll help run the annual 3Rs summer camp, where children learn environmental awareness through engaging summer activities.
Children Programs
Location: Multiple locations
In our Children’s Programs department, placement students assist Early Childhood Educators with daily programs that support children's language development, early literacy, creativity, and cognitive, sensory, and motor skills. The department includes three programs, that work with children from 6 months to 6 years. Students will also have the opportunity to assist with summer camps.
Events
Location: 21 Panorama Ct, Etobicoke
Our student placements play a key role in hosting exciting events such as Black History Month, Women’s Day, Asian Heritage Month celebrations, Take Back the Night, and more! Volunteers can take on various roles, from presenting and performing to assisting with food preparation, decoration, or event coordination. The opportunities are endless!
Staff addressing Placement Students
A placement student delivering a presentation
Settlement Training for Placement Students
The Perks
Specialized Training
At Rexdale Women’s Centre, we deeply appreciate the tireless efforts and commitment of our placement students and volunteers towards our programs and events. Recognizing their valuable contributions, we are committed to fostering their professional growth. Annually we offer specialized training tailored for our placement students and volunteers. This year, we had Settlement Worker Assistant training and Community Development training. The initial program focuses on settlement training, equipping volunteers with the skills to assist newcomers to Canada. The second session is about community development, which provides training for volunteers to lead initiatives that contribute to the development of their communities.
Volunteer Appreciation Ceremonies
We truly appreciate the dedication and hard work of our Placement Students at RWC. We host a Volunteer Appreciation Celebration every few months to recognize their contributions. This special event includes a complimentary lunch and tokens of our gratitude. It’s a wonderful opportunity for volunteers to relax, connect with fellow students, and share their experiences at RWC.
Are you a student eager to make a difference in your community while gaining valuable real-world experience?
How to Apply
Click the button below to apply for a volunteer or student placement at RWC.