Sophia Liu (Left), Mary Pidlaoan (Centre), Riley Bernardino (Right)

High school is a turning point for students and a time to explore big dreams and decide whether to pursue university, college or step directly into the workforce. Unity Health Toronto’s Volunteer Services and co-op placements provide students with the opportunity to discover their place in the community and step behind the scenes of health care.

Unity Health offers high school students the chance to complete co-op placements at St. Michael’s Hospital, St. Joseph’s Health Centre and the Houses of Providence, a long-term care home for residents located on the same site as Providence Healthcare, a leading campus of care for seniors, rehabilitation and long term care.

From September 2024 to June 2025, Unity Health Toronto welcomed 114 co-op students across all three hospital sites. At Providence Healthcare, about one-third of the 150 current volunteers there are youth. The vast majority of youth volunteers and co-op learners at Providence directly support senior residents, assisting with daily activities, helping staff and building meaningful and lasting connections with residents.

“I know one resident who always talks about how blessed he feels to have people like us come to visit,” said Riley Bernardino, a grade 12 student who recently completed his co-op at Providence. “He says, ‘These young kids could be doing anything right now, but they choose to come help us old folks.’ And that’s a blessing for me, personally, to hear.”

Students take part in different programs tailored to their stage of learning and availability. Some volunteer once a week over the course of a year, while others take on a full semester co-op placement in grade 11 or 12, committing to three hour shifts Monday to Friday. For those looking for a shorter but equally rewarding experience, the summer program allows high school and post secondary students to contribute 80 hours of service over one to four months. Each program offers students a chance to explore the healthcare field, gain valuable experiences and connect with dedicated healthcare workers and leaders.

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Bernardino aspires to become an Electrical engineer and plans to attend university to specialize in the field. Co-op and volunteering, he says, has shown him how hospital technology plays a role in helping people. By putting forward a career in engineering, he hopes to choose a path that connects back to that mission, in a way, shaping his pursuit of engineering.

Mary Pidlaoan, a volunteer with dreams of a career in healthcare, finds joy in these moments. “We do activities in the units and sing songs together. I enjoy volunteering for concerts the most,” she said. “I usually would help set up, bring residents to the great room to dance and sing with them. It’s so rewarding to see everyone enjoying themselves.”

Students completing their co-op placements come in every weekday for four months, assisting in daily activities and building connections with residents. Many of these high school students juggle school, volunteering and extra-curricular activities.

“It was hard at first to adjust my time with placement,” said Sophia Liu, a co-op student who hopes to become a pediatrician. “I learned how to plan my days. I would split my afternoons so I could balance studying, co-op and skating. The experience has helped me to be more productive and avoid procrastination. I’ve learned to manage my time both efficiently and effectively.”

Reflecting on his experience with the residents, Bernardino said, “The younger generation is generally more reserved and lacks outreach and initiative. They tend to stay in their own bubbles, making them harder to talk to. Talking with the residents gives the youth an opportunity to break those barriers and open themselves up to many connections.”

Pidlaoan said the perceived gap between generations is often amplified by social media. “After spending time with the residents, I realized we’re much more alike than people think. For example, I discovered we share similar music tastes, which became a great way for us to bond.”

Scott Kinnear, Operations Leader, Volunteer Services, says the youth volunteers and high school co-op learners are “amazing and appreciated.”

“Sharing their time and energy with our patients and residents helps to reduce feelings of loneliness and supports our inter-generational programming,” he says. “My favourite moment at work is when I witness a young volunteer friendly visiting with a senior resident — holding hands, laughing, or smiling together – this shared compassion can transcend an age gap of more than fifty years in some cases, and provides a beautiful and memorable care experience.”

Scott Kinnear, Operations Leader, Volunteer Services (Left), Faye Roberts, Manager Volunteer Services (Right)

After completing their four month co-op placements, Riley, Mary and Sophia continue to volunteer every Sunday for mass at the Houses of Providence. Along the way, they’ve built lasting friendships, not only with the residents but also with each other. 

“We are fortunate to have youth volunteers and a great relationship with the school boards for our co-op students who are committed to giving back to their communities at Unity Health Toronto. Our youth volunteers and high school co-op student learners provide fresh perspectives, spark innovation and consistently show great compassion to our patients and residents,” said Faye Roberts, Manager of Volunteer Services.

After all, they represent the next wave of caregivers, researchers and leaders at Unity Health carrying forward the future our vision of providing best care experiences “built” together.

Liu said: “If I could offer one piece of advice to someone interested in volunteering or a placement, it would be this: don’t be shy. Go up and have a conversation. It doesn’t matter if it’s long or short, what matters most in making that connection.”

By: Jade Vyfhuis

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