From Ripples to Waves: 25 Years of Volunteer Impact Through the Corsage Project

It’s no secret that the Teachers on Call’s tutoring team deeply values volunteerism and community service. We understand firsthand how giving back, at any age, builds character, confidence, and a stronger sense of connection to the local community. From April 27 to May 3, 2025, neighbourhoods across Canada join together to celebrate National Volunteer Week, a time to recognize the countless individuals who dedicate their time, energy, and hearts to making a difference. This year’s theme, “Volunteers Make Waves,” highlights the powerful ripple effect volunteers create through giving back to their communities. While the exact dates vary slightly from year to year—always falling within the third week of April—the message remains consistent: volunteers inspire real change and leave a lasting impact. In this blog, we’re highlighting this year’s national theme, sharing the deep roots of volunteerism at Teachers on Call, and showcasing how students and families from coast to coast can create ripple effects of their own through meaningful service.

Why Volunteering Is More Than a Week—It’s a Movement

At Teachers on Call, volunteerism is at the heart of our story. Our very own founder, Rhona Sallay, co-founded the Corsage Project 25 years ago with a mission to help financially deserving Grade 12 students attend their proms with dignity and confidence. Today, that legacy continues with our President & CEO, Joanne Sallay, who proudly serves as Volunteer Chair. This volunteer program has supported thousands of high school students facing financial or personal obstacles by ensuring they can celebrate their graduation milestones with pride and in style. This year’s Boutique Ball takes place on Saturday, May 3rd, 2025. While the event often falls during National Volunteer Week, at Teachers on Call, we believe volunteerism is a year-round commitment, which is why we often blog about student volunteerism. Read on to learn more about our story with The Corsage Project and explore ideas to help students discover their own volunteer projects and meaningful ways to get involved.

The Story Behind the Corsage Project

The Corsage Project began 25 years ago with a simple yet powerful goal: to ensure that every graduating student, regardless of financial circumstances, could attend prom with pride and confidence. The idea was born from the firsthand experiences of our founder, Rhona Sallay, a special education department head at Danforth Collegiate and Technical Institute (formerly Danforth Technical School and Riverdale Branch Technical School, 800 Greenwood Ave, Toronto, ON M4J 4B7) in the TDSB, and her colleague Carole Atkins, who worked together in a priority school and saw the financial barriers many students faced.

Moved by the realities in their high school, they co-founded The Corsage Project as a volunteer initiative to give students the chance to celebrate their academic achievements in style. A lifelong educator and community builder, Rhona also instilled the value of giving back in her daughter, Joanne Sallay, from a young age—long before volunteering became a high school graduation requirement in Ontario. Much like the business succession planning that took place with Teachers on Call’s online and in-person tutoring service, Rhona mentored Joanne over the years, and today, Joanne Sallay proudly carries on the legacy as Volunteer Chair of the Corsage Project under the umbrella of the Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada.

What The Corsage Project Does—and Teachers on Call’s Role

The Corsage Project provides free formal attire, accessories, and beauty items to financially deserving Grade 12 students through its annual Boutique Ball event in Toronto. More than just a dress drive, the initiative offers dignity, confidence, and celebration to students who have often overcome significant obstacles to graduate high school. In addition to its core mission, the Corsage Project also offers a scholarship program to further support the educational journeys of its participants going on to college or university. This post secondary community award program was founded by Teachers on Call in alignment with our own mission to empower students through education. It reflects our shared belief that every student deserves the opportunity to thrive—both at their graduation and in the next chapter of their academic story.

This year marked an exciting milestone—the Corsage Project’s 25th anniversary—and it made headlines as the Feel Good News Story on 680 News Radio Toronto.

Through a live segment on CP24 Breakfast,  Joanne shares the following message:

“We’re celebrating 25 years—and it truly took a village to get here. We can’t wait to welcome over 300 deserving young women this weekend—to recognize their achievements, honour the obstacles they’ve overcome to graduate high school, and ensure they celebrate in style.”

One especially moving moment this year was hearing from Thurika Kiriharan, a former participant who was matched with Joanne over a decade ago as a personal shopper. Today, Thurika returns each year as a volunteer, embodying the full-circle impact of this work.

Want to learn more about how the Corsage Project helps make prom dreams possible or find a similar program near you? Read our feature: 📚 How to Make Prom Dreams Possible

Raising the Next Generation of Volunteers: How Families Can Get Involved Together

Volunteering can be a powerful family experience—and it often starts with setting the right example. When students see parents and caregivers giving back, it reinforces the value of community service and helps them find their own path. Whether it’s participating in a local food drive, helping at a school event, or volunteering at a larger event like the Corsage Project, these shared experiences can spark meaningful conversations and inspire lasting values. Families can encourage students to reflect on what matters most to them—whether it's education, the environment, the arts, or helping peers—and explore opportunities together that align with those passions. Sometimes, just showing up as a volunteer role model is the best way to help young people discover how they can make waves.

Looking for ways to get involved? Here are a few simple and meaningful ideas for volunteering as a family or helping your child find their own inspiration:

• Support a local clothing or athletic drive – Donate or help collect gently used clothing, formalwear, or sporting equipment for those in need.
• Join a neighbourhood clean-up – Organize or take part in a community litter pick-up or tree-planting day.
• Help at school events – Participate in school councils, book fairs, or fundraising initiatives—great entry points for students and parents alike.
• Peer tutor, teach English to newcomers, or simply mentor others – Older students can support younger peers academically through school-based peer tutoring programs, or get involved in reading buddy or English language learning initiatives offered by local libraries. 
• Fundraise for a cause you care about – Plan a bake sale, participate in a charity walkathon, or digital campaign in support of a chosen organization.

As an education service, we’re especially proud to promote volunteerism among students. In Ontario, completing 40 hours of community service is a secondary school graduation requirement—but the benefits go far beyond a checked box. Volunteering helps students build leadership, empathy, and lifelong skills that boost academic and personal success. These experiences not only help your community but also teach valuable life skills—like professionalism, teamwork, and civic responsibility—that will stay with your child long after their volunteer hours are complete.

For guidance on how students can get started, check out our past blog post: 📚 What Students in Ontario Need to Know About Volunteering

Making Waves, All Year Long

As we celebrate National Volunteer Week 2025, we honour all those who give back in ways big and small. Whether its helping students celebrate the milestone of high school commencement, supporting a local cause, or mentoring others, every act of service creates ripples that extend far beyond the moment.

At Teachers on Call, we believe that volunteerism is not just for one week—it’s a lifelong value. We’re proud to support initiatives like the Corsage Project, and equally proud of the many students, educators, and families in our community who make waves year-round through their dedication and compassion. To learn more about The Corsage Project, including how to volunteer, refer a student in need, or donate, please visit corsageproject.ca.

Wishing everyone a meaningful National Volunteer Week—and may this inspire students and families to discover new ways to give back and create their own ripple effect.

​​