How Volunteers Help Us
Family and Children Services needs volunteers to help with the following:
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers are an integral part of Family and Children’s Services. Working in support roles for children, adolescents, parents, foster families and staff in a variety of programs, the volunteers commitment to the children and their families is an important aspect of our success. Some of the roles filled or which need to be filled by volunteers are:
DIRECT CLIENT SERVICES
Homework Helpers: The volunteer will meet with the child once per week for one or two hours in the child’s home or a public library to help the child on one or more school subjects. This may include helping them to get their homework organized, working on a school project, preparing them for school tests etc. It may include mentoring a parent so they can assist when the volunteer is no longer present. Volunteer homework helpers usually meet with the child after school or in the evenings. Most assignments span the school year while others may be more short term. Some homework helpers are involved in an organized group tutoring service with specific times and agency locations.
Mentors: Volunteer mentors are matched with a child or adolescent. Mentors meet with the child or adolescent on a regular basis for 2-4 hours per week during evenings or weekends. Mentors act as role models to children/youth and are there to listen and involve them in activities in the community.
Child Access Volunteers: Trained volunteers assist social work staff supervising visits for children in foster care with their parents.
Parent Aide: The volunteer will help to facilitate the client's life skill development. This could include developing time management and organizational skills around housecleaning, shopping, or appointments. Parent Aide Volunteers assist the client with contacts with community service providers. The commitment can be long term or short term.
Volunteer Drivers: Volunteer drivers are responsible for transporting children and youth safely to and from social activities, programs and appointments. We look for individuals who are reliable, punctual, possess a good driving record and enjoy spending time with children.
NON DIRECT CLIENT SERVICES
Life Book Volunteers: The Life Books volunteers assist with gathering historical information about children in care and birth families, and assist with creating a colourful and meaningful photo binder documenting all relevant and important information.
Snowsuit Room, Christmas Toy Campaign, & Other Seasonal Volunteer Helper Positions: Keep donation areas clean and tidy and assist staff in special assignments as required.
Gardeners: Volunteer gardeners assist the Society in maintaining its flower gardens, which are enjoyed by children, families and staff. Volunteers can be creative in making the grounds attractive throughout the year. Even build snowmen with our children in care!
Toy washing: Volunteers wash toys in access visit rooms at our agency or other community access visit sites. Times may vary, but the commitment is for one to two hours per week for at least three months.
If you have a special hobby or skill that you would like to share with our children in care, please contact us.
Stats
In 2005-2006, volunteers donated over 35,000 hours of their time.