Volunteer Shifts, Toronto, ON
Details
- Location: Church Street, Toronto (Wellesley Street to Alexander Street)
- Duration: 5 days, opportunities to renew
- Commitment: Part-time, time slots available
- Compensation: This is a volunteer, unpaid position.
- Start Date:Friday, 7 August 2026 (Virtual mandatory training).
How To Apply
Interested volunteers should Sign Up here to indicate their availability.
If you require more information, send us an email at volunteer@880cities.org with the subject line “Public Life Study, Church Street”
If selected, we’ll share a link to the training and provide additional details.
About 8 80 Cities
We are guided by the simple but powerful idea that if everything we do in our cities is great for an 8 year old and an 80 year old, then it will be better for all people. We envision healthy, happy, and sustainable cities for people to grow up and grow old in; where all people have the right to safe and active mobility, welcoming and accessible public spaces, and inclusive city-building processes.
About The Position
8 80 Cities is one of the partners on Experience the Village / Church Street Pedestrian Pilot. From June 19 to August 21, 2026, a stretch of Church Street from Wellesley Street to Alexander Street closes to through traffic and opens to people (a map of the closure is linked here for reference). Expect street furniture, planters, live events, local markets, and the kind of spontaneous, joyful street life that has always defined the Village — amplified. The pilot is a partnership between the local Councillor’s office and the Church Wellesley Village BIA, and is being measured by the City of Toronto.
Our role includes conducting a Public Life Study (PLS) to gather data about what the street looks like before and after the pilot is implemented. We completed the baseline study in June and would love support from volunteers as we complete the next stage of evaluation!
A Public Life Study (PLS) is a form of real-time data collection that includes simple counting, mapping, and surveying tools to measure how people use, pass through, and engage with public spaces.
As a volunteer, you can expect a short 1-hour shift in which you will map movement and activity using templated data-collection tools and survey community members about their experiences on Church Street.
Responsibilities Include:
- There will be a mandatory virtual PLS Training on Friday, August 7th from 12:30-1:30pm.
- Public Life Studies will take place on Saturday, August 8th and Monday, August 10th. Backup dates are scheduled for Sunday, August 9th and Tuesday, August 11th.
- There are 5 time slots for each day:
– 7:30 – 8:30 AM
– 10:00 – 11:00 AM
– 2:00 – 3:00 PM
– 6:30 -7:30 PM
– 10:30 – 11:30 PM
Skills and Experience
Volunteers should be familiar with or interested in developing skills in placemaking, urban planning, spatial design, data analysis, and community engagement. Individuals from the 2SLGBTQIA+ community are encouraged to apply.
Apply For This Role
Interested volunteers should Sign Up here to indicate their availability.
If you require more information, send us an email at volunteer@880cities.org with the subject line “Public Life Study, Church Street”
If selected, we’ll share a link to the training and provide additional details.
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