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Current volunteer opportunities

Our list of current volunteer positions changes periodically according to the needs of our programs. In addition to the positions listed below, ocasionally we have group and corporate volunteer opportunities. If you have skills that could benefit one of FST programs, please let us know by e-mailing Mindy Khu, Coordinator, Volunteer Resources at: mindykh@familyservicetoronto.org

If you are a university or community college student looking for practicum please e-mail Liz Holmes-Bose at student-coordinator@familyservicetoronto.org.

Please note: FST is not an Ontario Works partner and does not sign forms for Ontario Works. To find out more about Ontario Works volunteer opportunities, call Volunteer Toronto at 416-961-6888 and/or check Volunteer Toronto's website at www.volunteertoronto.ca.

Youth volunteers opportunity for Ontario Campaign 2000 Witnesses of Poverty Project
Client Support Volunteer
Volunteer LGBTQ Community Counsellor
David Kelley Services Community Advisory Committee
Seniors' Advisory Council Member

Witnesses of Poverty Project Multimedia Volunteer

Program Summary:

Campaign 2000 is a cross-Canada public education movement whose goal is to build Canadian awareness and support for the 1989 all-party House of Commons resolution to end child poverty in Canada by the year 2000.

Position Summary:

We are looking for youth, ages 16-21, who are creative, enthusiastic and interested in raising awareness of issues faced by people living in poverty to create images of poverty in Toronto. Works will be displayed at a Family Service Toronto event at the conclusion of the project in August.

Core responsibilities:

Volunteers will use multimedia tools, such as photographs, sketches, presentations, videos and poetry to capture images of poverty in Toronto.

Experience and Skills:

Interest in learning about issues faced by people living in poverty
Enthusiasm
Creativity
Respect for others
Responsible
Self-motivated

Time commitment:

Volunteers will meet with the supervisor at regular intervals at a mutually convenient time
The project runs until mid-August

Orientation:

An orientation to Campaign 2000, Family Service Toronto and the Witnesses of Poverty Project will be provided.

Benefits:

Recognition for project work, including being cited whenever volunteers’ works are used by Campaign 2000
Social justice experience
An opportunity to educate others about issues around poverty and provide support to a national and provincial campaign that seeks to eliminate child and family poverty
Communications experience

Read flyer

Client Support Volunteer

Program Summary:

Counselling Services offers counselling to individuals, couples and families in a number of Toronto locations. We also offer Parent Education and Support groups and workshops, telephone counselling and e-counselling to help people cope more effectively, feel better, improve relationships and strengthen their family life.

Position Summary:

We are looking for a compassionate individual who has training/education and experience working in the social service field to provide assistance to a client who is coping with social isolation and may need assistance accessing other supports in their local community. The volunteer will provide support and practical assistance.

Core responsibilities:

Visit and accompany clients to facilitate their community experience through walks, visits to local mall, events or festivals, cup of coffee, etc.
Telephone contact and offer supportive listening
Keep written records of contacts and submit documentation
Keep regular contact with supervisor to discuss progress
It is essential that volunteers maintain confidentiality

*Note: This is not a counselling position.

Experience and Skills:

Training/education in social service field e.g. social work, social service work
Experience working with adults who have mental health challenges
Ability to maintain boundaries with clients
Ability to work with marginalized persons
Good listening skills
Non-judgmental
Patient and understanding of diversity
Empathetic and caring
Reliable
Please note: because the Volunteer will be working with a vulnerable individual, a Criminal Record Check/Vulnerable Sector Search is required. Volunteers with MSW/ RSW will be asked to verify qualifications.

Time commitment:

Minimum of one visit/activity per month
Time of day and day of week to be mutually agreed upon by volunteer and client
Volunteer activities to take place weekdays only, no later than 8:00 p.m.
We are looking for a commitment of six months to one year commitment

Training:

Training will be provided by the designated Counselling Services staff supervisor.

Benefits:

Personal satisfaction in building a relationship with a Counselling Service client and making a difference in their life
Opportunity to gain addition experience working in the area of mental health
Opportunity to enhance knowledge of community resources
TTC fare for related travel or mileage/parking reimbursement
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Volunteer LGBTQ Community Counsellor

Program Summary:

David Kelley Services provides culturally appropriate assessment, referral, case coordination, case advocacy and counselling service to clients who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer (LGBTQ).

Position Summary:

To provide culturally appropriate assessment, referral, case coordination, case advocacy and counselling service to clients who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer (LGBTQ).

Volunteer LGBTQ Community Counsellors are involved with and knowledgeable about the les/bi/gay/trans/queer communities in the Toronto area, the network of services available and will represent and promote the interests of clients and the service of FST and David Kelley Services.

Core Responsibilities:

Assess the psycho-social needs of potential clients, formulate and implement a service plan based on this assessment
Provide individual, couple and family, and possibly group work to LGBTQ identified clients and their families including persons living with or affected by HIV/AIDS
Ensure the effective co-ordination of services to clients
Provide referrals and advocate on behalf of clients as required
Maintain client records in accordance with FST and program policy and procedures
Collect statistics as required
Maintain current knowledge of community resources and services
Maintain a working knowledge of FST's policies and procedures and carry out responsibilities in accordance
Required to observe professional ethics and conflict of interest guidelines at all times as outlined in agency policies, as outlined in the policies and practices of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.
Must work within their area of practice and experience and declare any restrictions.
Seek out and participate in regular supervision and consultation with staff, manager and peers
Become familiar with and maintain the values and purposes of the Agency and David Kelley Services in the delivery of social work and volunteer services
Bring appropriate concerns or conflicts to the attention of the Manager

Volunteers may also be involved in:

Contributing to program planning and development of services in response to client needs
Providing education within FST and/or the community
Participating in and/or informing education and social action initiatives in the interests of LGBTQ individuals and their communities
Participating in the selection and training of volunteers

Experience and Skills:

Relevant post-secondary education & experience such as MSW or equivalent combination of education and experience
Demonstrated counselling experience with diverse communities particularly with the lesbian/gay/bi/trans/queer communities and to persons living with and affected by HIV/AIDS
Demonstrated experience working with a variety of counselling interventions including brief counselling / psychotherapy approaches
Demonstrated involvement in and established credibility in the LGBTQ communities, such as demonstrated ability for public leadership.
Knowledge and understanding of the culture and history of lesbians and gay men, bisexuals, transgender and queer identified individuals and of the issues affecting them and their communities. Comfortable being identified with these communities.
Proven knowledge and understanding of the bio/psycho/social impact of HIV/AIDS on individuals and the gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans communities
Demonstrated commitment to anti-racist and anti-oppression practice
Demonstrated ability to work in a team and independently

Please note: because volunteers will be working with vulnerable individuals, a Criminal Record Check/Vulnerable Sector Search is required and volunteers with MSW RSW will undergo qualification verification.

Time commitment:

Minimum of once a week for three hours; Monday or Wednesday evenings
1 year commitment (renewal of commitment on a yearly basis)

Training:

Regular staff/peer/volunteer consultation and professional development provided.

Benefits:

Increased counselling capacity
Increased group work capacity
Increased experience working with individuals of diverse ethno/racial backgrounds
Contribution to building community capacity within the LGBTQ & HIV/AIDS communities

David Kelley Services Community Advisory Committee

If you are a member of Toronto's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer or HIV communities and are interested in becoming involved in the David Kelley Services Community Advisory Committee (CAC), we are interested in meeting with you.

Position summary:

The CAC assists in the recruitment and selection of staff and volunteers, develops and organizes community forums, assists with fund development for the programs and provides community input with respect to program issues related to the community.

Skills:

Knowledge of the communities serviced by David Kelley Services
Experience with event planning
Fund development
Understanding of social services and program delivery

Involvement in Committee work also offers the potential for involvement in other committee work within the agency. We believe that this is a perfect opportunity for those who may not yet be actively involved to contribute not only to the HIV/AIDS communities, but also to the LGBTQ communities in general

Time commitment:

On average, three hours per month

Training:

Volunteers will be provided with orientation

Please note: We welcome applications for this position, however they may not be processed for several months. Applications are reviewed by Community Advisory Council members and there are no meetings currently scheduled to do this review.

Seniors' Advisory Council Member

The Seniors Advisory Council (SAC) assists the Seniors and Caregivers Support Service Unit (SCSS) to improve the quality of life for seniors and those who care for seniors. SAC is actively involved in activities designed to educate the public and/or government on issues that affect seniors and caregivers, and provides feedback about the work of the SCSS Unit.

In 2004 , SAC received a grant to discover and share positive and negative aspects of aging from a senior's perspective. Some of the issues highlighted were life, emotional and family changes, discrimination, government services, accessibility issues, resources for seniors, cultural differences and public portrayal of seniors. Upon request SAC delivers interactive presentations to educate seniors and those who work with seniors about issues that matter most to them.

Position Summary:

We are looking for individuals who are seniors (age 55+) to join the SAC to share their expertise and life experience to enrich the work SAC does. (Please note that SAC is not a support group).

Core Responsibilities:

Attend monthly and ad hoc meetings to become familiar with and provide input on issues addressed by SAC
Advise on the work of the SCSS Unit
Review of promotional materials
Participate in public meetings on issues related to seniors and caregivers
Participate in marketing and recruitment of SAC members
Be an ambassador for Family Service Toronto
SAC conducts educational presentations throughout the year. Volunteers are encouraged to assist.

Experience and Skills:

Life experience dealing with issues of concern to seniors and/or their caregivers

Any of the additional talents would be an asset to SAC:
Computer skills
Public speaking skills
Previous committee work
Technical skills to assist with set-up of presentation materials (e.g. PowerPoint projector) qualification
Second language

Time Commitment:

Monthly meetings take place on the third Tuesday of each month from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 355 Church St. (Church and Gerrard)
Ad hoc meetings may take place throughout the year
SAC members are asked to make a one year commitment

Benefits:

An opportunity to network with individuals who share concerns about issues that affect seniors and their caregivers
Enhanced knowledge about issues that affect seniors and their caregivers
An opportunity to use life experience, skills and knowledge to improve the quality of life of seniors and their caregivers

Please note: Membership on the Council is restricted to individuals. Organizations interested in the work SAC does are encouraged to ask their members to join, but these people will participate and vote as individual members, independent of their affiliation with any other organization.

FST is wheelchair accessible

Other resources we would recommend:

The Volunteer Centre of Toronto: www.volunteertoronto.ca

FST encourages applications from candidates whose backgrounds are diverse in terms of culture, race, language, religion, class, gender/sexual orientation and ability.

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