Voluntary sector organizations focus on activities that support individuals, families, groups and communities. These activities typically include: direct service, information exchange, public awareness, education, support, fund-raising, advocacy, research, public dialogue and policy development.
Voluntary health organizations have explicit knowledge of their communities and areas of expertise that enable them to do outstanding work in helping Canadians maintain and improve their health.
The Office of the Voluntary Sector's objectives facilitate joint action and collaboration across the voluntary sector to address organizational effectiveness and health policy issues of common concern to the sector and the Public Health Agency of Canada and Health Canada. There is also support of knowledge development and knowledge sharing to enhance organizational effectiveness and/or policy capacity within the sector.
OVS has worked with community groups to build effective, sustainable partnerships in community approaches to public health. For example, OVS has supported national voluntary health organizations in better serving their clients, supporting their volunteers and engaging in health policy dialogue across sectors. In 2005-2006, 26 projects were funded:
Here is a sampling of innovative voluntary sector projects funded by OVS in 2005-2006.