Community
The UBC chapter is very active and therefore it is important to know what is happening and when:
- Check the Events page regularly to stay current with the latest events.
- See below for ongoing volunteer opportunities. If you have questions regarding these positions, please feel free to contact our Service Director.
Big Sisters
Contact:Linda Edamura
Big & Little Sister Program
The Big & Little Sister program matches Lower Mainland girls (ages 7-17) with a volunteer Big Sister in a one-to-one mentoring relationship. For a minimum of 1 year, each Big & Little Sister match meets once a week to spend 3-5 hours together. Matches enjoy doing a wide range of activities together including making crafts, playing sports, watching movies, and just hanging out and talking!
Big Sister Qualifications:
You are a female who is 19 years of age or older (no upper age limit!)
* You have been a resident of Canada for at least one year (or you are willing to provide us with an International Criminal Records Check).
* You are able to commit to spending 3-5 hours once a week with your Little Sister for a minimum of one year
* You are mature, stable, reliable, respectful of others, and will be accepting of your Little Sister.
* You are interested in developing a friendship with a young girl between the ages of 7 and 17.
* You are comfortable with Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland's Core Values.
Study Buddy Program
The Study Buddy Program nurtures the self-esteem of girls by matching them with caring volunteers who offer them educational support and academic assistance. This program is for girls, ages 7 to 17, who demonstrate a need for academic support and are from either a single parent family or a dual parent family who cannot access one-to-one tutoring due to financial constraints.
Study Buddies meet for one hour once a week for a minimum of six months and work together to set appropriate educational goals for the Little Sister Study Buddy. With the support of a Study Buddy tutor, Little Sisters are encouraged and equipped to improve their educational performance and meet their academic goals, which contributes to their overall self-esteem. Tutoring sessions take place at a mutually agreeable location after school or on weekends.
Study Buddy Tutor Qualifications:
*You are a female who is 19 years of age or older (no upper age limit!)
*You have been a resident of Canada for at least one year (or you are willing to provide us with an International Criminal Records Check).
* You are able to commit to spending one hour a week with your Little Sisters for a minimum of six months.
* You have a high school diploma.
* You have some experience helping others learn.
* You have some post-secondary education in-progress or completed.
* You are mature, stable, reliable, respectful of others, and will be accepting of your Little Sister Study Buddy.
* You are interested in helping a young girl between the ages of 7 and 17 improve her educational performance and reach her academic goals.
* You are comfortable with Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland's core values.
Go Girls! Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds Program
Go Girls! Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds is a group mentoring program that encourages physical activity, healthy eating and the development of a positive self-image, among girls aged 12 to 14. This program is currently being piloted in selected Coquitlam schools.
Go Girls! Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds runs in schools who have partnered with Big Sisters for eight, two-hour sessions that are held after school, once a week. Each session, led by volunteer female mentors, incorporate fun, educational games and activities to stimulate mentor/participant relationship-building as well as self-reflection and group discussions about healthy living and emotional, social and cultural issues. Each session is structured around the three Go Girls! themes: active living, balanced eating, and feeling good about oneself.
Go Girls! Mentor Qualifications:
* You are a female who is between the ages of 19 and 25.
* You are able to commit to attending the full day Go Girls! mentor training in September.
* You are able to commit to facilitating the Go Girls! sessions in Coquitlam schools; this is a time commitment of 3 hours per week.
* You are available on at least one weekday each week between the hours of 2:30pm and 5:30pm.
* You are enthusiastic, caring and energetic, and passionate about healthy living and physical activity.
* You are mature, stable, reliable, respectful of others, and will be accepting of your Go Girls! participants.
* You are interested in helping young girls between the ages of 12 and 14 learn about active living, healthy eating, and feeling good about themselves.
* You are comfortable with Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland's core values.
Big Brothers
Spend 2-4 hours a week with a boy aged 7-12. Go hiking, biking or just hang out.
In-School Mentor
Spend one hour a week with a boy or girl at a nearby elementary school. Play games and sports, do arts and crafts or just have fun.
Vancouver Coastal Health Community Care
Contact: Jude Henders
Leisure Buddy Volunteer Position Description, Vancouver Community
The leisure buddy plays a vital role in supporting clients in their recovery and/or reintegration into their community through encouraging healthy activities and lifestyles. This program is offered for a minimum period of 6 months and starts while the client is being followed by the Rehab & Resource Team, or the Healthy Living Program in Vancouver Coastal Health.
Sample Activities:
* Assisting clients with day-to-day life skills, such as navigating the bus system
* Assisting client with recreational activities such as: walking, swimming, biking, playing tennis, etc
* Regular check-ins with VCH staff members (Recreational Therapist/ Active Living Coordinator, Coordinator of Volunteer Resources, and supervision replacement (i.e. case manager).
* Informing VCH staff of concerns regarding client or any safety issues.
Time Limits:
Length of Commitment: Min. 6 months
Estimated Total Hours: Flexible (approximately 2 to 4 hours once or twice week)
Training: Mandatory and provided by and/or in partnership with GFS Volunteer Program /Rehab & Resource Team/ Healthy Living Program
Qualifications:
* Good listening and communication skills
* Interest in rehab/recreation therapy an asset
* Patient, understanding and respectful
* Adherence to Volunteer Guidelines and a consent to a Criminal Record Check
Benefits and rewards:
* Orientation and training opportunities
* Meaningful and rewarding experiences
* Increased confidence and new skills
* Reference letter after 6 months
* Recognition
* Reimbursement for transportation if needed
Responsible to: Recreational Therapist / Active Living Coordinator, Coordinator of Volunteer Resources, and supervision replacement. The suitability of a volunteer-client placement is at the discretion of the VCH Staff. Ongoing support of the placement is the responsibility of the Recreational Therapist / Active Living Coordinator during this phase. The Coordinator of Volunteers will facilitate volunteer intake and provide non-professional support.
Wellness Walker
Volunteers support healthy aging by helping people remain physically active.
Sample Activities:
* Volunteers call once or twice a week to arrange day & time for walking.
* Meet client at their home and walk with them around their neighbourhood
* Informs Volunteer Program staff if there are client concerns.
Time Limits:
Length of commitment: Minimum of 4 months.
Estimated total hours: Walks once or twice a week for 20 - 40 minutes.
Qualifications:
* Enjoy being with others.
* Enjoy outdoor activities.
* Can maintain confidentiality about all personal information.
* Criminal Record Search.
* Ability to adhere to VCH Volunteer Guidelines.
Training:
Training provided by Volunteer Program staff and Physiotherapist
Benefits:
* Reimbursement of transportation (if needed).
* Training opportunities.
* Experience working in a health setting and working with seniors.
Rewards:
* Reference letter (after 4 months).
* Recognition events.
Medical Escort
To provide emotional or social support to frail seniors by accompanying them via HandyDart or Taxi to various medical appointments.
Sample Activities:
* Provide support to client to and from appointments.
* Assist senior into or out of a Taxi or HandyDart vehicle.
* Interact and socialize with senior.
* Wait with client at appointment.
Time Limits:
Length of commitment: Minimum of 6 months.
Estimated total hours: Two or three hours weekly.
Qualifications:
* Comfortable with seniors, people with memory loss or disabilities.
* Have good listening and communication skills.
* Patient, respectful, consistent and reliable.
* Criminal Record Search.
* Ability to adhere to VCH Volunteer Guidelines.
Training:
* On the job by Volunteer Resources staff.
Benefits:
* Reimbursement for transportation (if needed).
* Training opportunities.
* Experience working with seniors.
Rewards:
* Reference letter (after 4 months).
* Recognition events.
Friendly Visitor
The Friendly Volunteer Visitor plays a vital role in alleviating the negative effects of social isolation. As a volunteer, you would provide emotional support and social contact with the outside world to a person who has become, or is in danger of becoming, socially isolated. The goal of this program is to improve the client's quality of life, assist them to stay independent and increase their self-confidence. The volunteer provides a connection for the client to the community. Remember, you are neither a homemaker nor a nurse; more like a caring neighbour.
Activities
* Visit client in their home and strive to build a supportive relationship
* Assist the client with social and recreational activities
* Assist client with correspondence or other writing tasks
* Assist client with short local walks
* Assist client to link up with existing community resources
* Contact the Volunteer Program with any health or other concerns about the client
* Attend trainings or workshops to increase your knowledge and help familiarize yourself with other services
Qualifications
* You enjoy the company of seniors
* You have good listening and communication skills
* You are patient, respectful and understanding
* You will maintain confidentiality about all personal information
* You will be consistent and reliable with your visits
* You are able to handle an emergency such as your client falling
* You are able to operate a wheelchair (training provided if necessary)
* Criminal Record check
Commitment
A visit for two hours once a week is the usual, but if both client and volunteer agree, it can be more or less often. We ask for a minimum six-month commitment (post training) but are willing to make exceptions if a situation arises that would work for both the client and volunteer.
Flu Clinic Assistant
To assist the Community Health nurse with Flu Clinics.
Sample Activities:
* Assist clients in order of arrival.
* Ask name and check off on appointment list.
* Hand each client a registration form to be completed.
* Hand each client a date stamped slip showing that they have had the flu shot.
* Direct client to waiting area and advise that they will be called from there.
Time Limits:
Length of commitment: Minimum of 3 months.
Estimated total hours: Fall season, weekdays for approximately three hours per clinic.
Qualifications:
* Enjoy working with people, primarily seniors.
* Be able to speak, read and write English well.
* A second language would be an asset.
* Ability to take directions well.
* Ability to adhere to VCH Volunteer Guidelines.
Training:
* At the clinic by Volunteer Resources staff or the Community Health Nurse.
Benefits:
* Reimbursement for transportation if needed.
* Training opportunities.
* Experience working in a health setting and working with seniors.
Rewards:
* Reference letter.
* Recognition Events.
FOOD-2-U Volunteer (Driver or Passenger)
To pick-up food from the Food Bank and deliver it to identified people in need who cannot stand in food line-ups and cannot afford to purchase food through other programs.
Sample activities:
* Pick-up volunteer partner and client list and go to food bank to get pre-packaged bags. Add perishable items to each bag.
* Deliver food bags to approximately 10 clients in Downtown Eastside, Strathcona and Grandview-Woodland neighbourhoods.
Times:
Friday mornings. Hours per week: 3 hrs.
Qualifications:
* If Driver: Have a vehicle and a good driving record for past 5 years.
* Able to carry approx. 20 lbs. of groceries up stairs to people's apartments.
* Enjoy meeting new people and situations.
* Work well within a team.
* Consent to a Criminal Record Check.
Training:
* Orientation given by Vancouver Coastal Health
* 2nd training given at Food Bank on first assignment
Benefits and rewards
* Reference Letter after 3 months
* Invitation to various workshops in personal development
* Mileage at .39 /km reimbursed to drivers upon request
* Busfare reimbursed to volunteers upon request
* Invitation to volunteer recognition events
* Personal satisfaction knowing you are making a difference
Food Bank
Contact: Martice
Depots:
Our food is distributed via 15 depots located throughout the city. Volunteer responsibilities include unloading our trucks, distributing food to recipients, and clean up.
* Minimum age requirement: 18 years old
* Hours: Approximately five hours, one morning per week
* Commitment: long-term (at least three months)
* Additional Info: a brief interview is required
* Renfrew St at 3rd Ave, Friday mornings
UBC Learning Exchange Trek Program
Contact: Emma Hale
Why Join the Trek Program?
* Learn about real world issues through community service in inner city settings
* Stretch your idea of who you are and where you are in the world
* Explore career options
* Meet other UBC students
* Develop self-awareness and leadership skills
What is the Time Commitment?
* Minimum 2 hours per week
* Minimum 4-6 months
Who Can Join the Trek Program?
* Undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in any UBC faculty or school
Where Will I Work?
* Schools or non-profit organizations in the Downtown Eastside and other Vancouver inner-city neighbourhoods
When Can I Sign Up?
* There are 2 intake times: September and January
* The next registration opens on August 24th (for September intake)
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