Volunteer Interpreter for Youth Programs

Location:  Remote (Zoom) or in-person at BGC Durham (433 Eulalie Avenue in Oshawa)

Overview:  We are seeking compassionate and dedicated volunteers to join our roster of interpreters for various youth programs.  These programs are designed to support and empower youth, and your interpretation services will ensure that language barriers do not hinder effective communication and participation.

Responsibilities: 

• Provide interpretation services during youth program activities, ensuring clear and accurate communication between all parties.
• Be available to be contacted and scheduled on an as needed basis- advance notice will be provided and we will work around your personal schedule.
• Maintain confidentiality and uphold the principles and values of the organization.

Requirements:

• Fluency in English and at least obe other language.
• Excelent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to remain impartial and unbiased.
• Reliable and punctual with a commitment to attending scheduled sessions.
• Prior experience in interpretation or translation in beneficial but not required.
• Must be 18 years or older.

How to apply:

If you are interested in adding your name to our roster of volunteer interpreters, please click HERE to fill out the application and upload a resume.  We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds and language proficiencies.

Contact Information: For more information or if you have any questions, please contact: 

Jill Dallaire, Youth Services Director at (905)404-5700 or jdalliare@bgcdurham.com

Application Deadline: Ongoing

Hiring will be dependant on providing a clear Vulnerable Sector Check.

JOIN OUR VOLUNTEER LETTER-WRITING TEAM!

Are you passionate about spreading joy and brightening someone's day? Do you have a knack for writing heartfelt letters? Join our dedicated team of volunteers and make a meaningful difference in the lives of seniors in aged care homes in the area and across Canada.  

WHAT WE DO 

We're an all-volunteer organization that mails cheerful, personal, handwritten letters and cards to elders in care facilities and senior programs. Since April 2020, tens of thousands of volunteers have sent nearly one million pieces of correspondence in 30 languages!

WHAT WE OFFER 

• A chance to make a direct and positive impact on the lives of seniors.
• Flexibility to volunteer from anywhere, anytime, year-round as an individual or with a team.
• A special program to verify service hours for students and professionals seeking community service credits. (Separate registration is required.)
• Tips and guidance for crafting personal and meaningful letters available on our website and social media platforms.
• An inclusive environment where volunteers are encouraged to share their own uplifting stories and experiences without making assumptions about the recipient's background or abilities.
• All ages and abilities are welcome! 

HOW YOU CAN HELP

• Join our team of volunteers and commit to writing letters on an ongoing basis.
• While handcrafted cards are welcome, they are not required; your handwritten message is what matters most.
• We encourage volunteers to limit affirmations and focus on sharing a bit about themselves to make each letter unique and special. Seniors tell us that these personal stories their favorite part of the letter!
• Avoid sensitive topics such as religion, holidays, health and politics.
• Our partner facilities in Canada are requesting letters in 10 different languages: English, Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, French, German, Greek, Italian, Portuguese, and Russian.
• Create a group activity for your friends, coworkers, students or club members.
• Partner with a public library to host a letter-writing event.

WHY VOLUNTEER WITH US

• Make a direct and tangible difference in the lives of seniors who may be feeling isolated or lonely.
• Contribute to a positive and inclusive community dedicated to spreading kindness and compassion.
• Experience connection and satisfaction that comes from knowing your words have the power to bring joy and comfort to someone you've never met.
  
  

GET STARTED

• Register on our website as an individual, student, or group to receive our weekly newsletter with updates and access to our web portal. 
• STUDENTS: Please complete the separate student registration using a personal email address. 
• Write some friendly letters. When you're ready to mail them, log into our web portal and choose a destination facility.
• Find us on social media: LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook.

Join us in spreading kindness and smiles to senior citizens. Your words will make all the difference!

Poppy Campaign, decoration committee, Colour Party (walking, holding flags and attending multiple events), meat rolls, fundraiser support, and working in the kitchen 

Our in-person summer-fall Conservation Youth Corps (CYC) events are starting up!

What is the Conservation Youth Corps Program?

Take action with Toronto and Region Conservation Authority’s (TRCA) Conservation Youth Corps (CYC) and earn high school volunteer hours at home and in your community by participating in environmental stewardship activities! 

Visit: Upcoming Events - TRCA Conservation Youth Corps

NEW FOR 2024:

Participants in the Virtual CYC program will gain access to our new CYC Virtual Hub: an exclusive online classroom that provides multiple opportunities for high school students to earn over 20 community service hours, both at home and in your neighbourhood!

Virtual Program Dates

Orientation #5: July 10 | Orientation #6: July 14 – Register for July Orientation Sessions by July 2, 2024

The CYC virtual program consists of:

•                  A mandatory virtual orientation session

•                  Three self-paced modules, linked to themes of biodiversity, invasive species, and microplastics

•                  Fun and interesting extra credit assignments

•                  Additional opportunities to get outside and support stewardship projects

•                  And even more ways to get involved!

Participants will have the freedom to customize their experience in the program, earning as few or as many community service hours as they like prior to November 1, 2024.

The Mission to Seafarers Southern Ontario is looking for volunteers to support the seafarers when they arrive in our ports here in Oshawa.  Volunteers are needed to support seafarers in our centre by ensuring that we are open, coffee and snacks are available, assist seafarers in their needs and be a friendly face to those that are far from home.  We are also looking for volunteers to visit the ships to connect with the seafarers there and ensure that their welfare and needs are looked after.

Help our renowned Learning and Engagement Department deliver a variety of educational programming including children's art classes, March Break camp, Summer Camp OPG Sunday and more! Assisting the Learning and Engagement Department is an excellent way to learn about a range of artistic techniques and practices, as well as gain valuable practical experience working with children of all ages. Please inquire if you have any questions about this role!

Join us as a Volunteer at the Christian Faith Outreach Centre's low barrier "one stop shop" HUB in Ajax, ON. Your role will be pivotal in providing support and assistance to individuals seeking a wide range of services in a welcoming and inclusive environment. Your dedication and compassion will help make a significant impact on the lives of those we serve.

Key Responsibilities:

- Greet and assist patrons with a friendly and non-judgmental approach, offering guidance on available services.

- Collaborate with referral partners to connect individuals with needed services and resources.

- Distribute basic necessities such as food, hygiene products, and clothing.

- Support resource organization and maintenance in the HUB, including restocking and cleanliness.

- Empower and advocate for patrons, encouraging self-advocacy and steps towards improvement.

- Maintain a safe and inclusive atmosphere, following established guidelines and protocols.

Qualifications:

- Essential qualities include compassion, empathy, and a nonjudgmental attitude.

- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

- Ability to maintain confidentiality and respect privacy.

- Flexibility and adaptability to a dynamic environment.

Training and Support:

Receive thorough training covering de-escalation techniques, trauma-informed care, and HUB services. Ongoing support and supervision provided.

Volunteer one to two hours of your time to help out young moms in the Durham religion by delivering free food bags.

Food delivery days are every Tuesday, where our volunteers meet up at our Ajax office around 12:00 pm to pick up the food bags. They then deliver the bags to pregnant/new moms, and their families in Durham.

The Board of Directors represents the leaders of our agency and serves as a working board that oversees the long term strategic vision and overall health of the organization. Directors approve the organization’s philosophy and continually review the management’s performance while working toward agency goals. The Board of Directors will also annually review and approve plans for funding in view of organizational goals. Board members have a list of responsibilities that they renew every year during the annual election at our Annual General Meeting.

We are seeking volunteers to reach out to individuals and groups that might be interested in writing friendly, meaningful letters to elders in aged care homes and senior citizen programs. Letters Against Isolation is ideal for: 

• Library programming
• Summer literacy activities
• Foreign language studies
• Volunteer from home initiatives
• Card crafters
• Neighborhood groups
• Service organizations 
• Team bonding activities
• Writer groups
• Seniors Helping Seniors
• Classroom activities

Post and share our physical or digital FLYER:

1. Community bulletin boards
2. Libraries
3. Book, stationery and craft stores
4. School campuses
5. Foreign language programs 
6. Senior centers
7. Service organizations 
8. Youth volunteering programs

2024 flyer in PDF format

2024 flyer in JPG format

Reporting to the Fund Development Team, assist in reaching out to potential donors, sponsors and partners via email and/or phone to support fundraising campaigns.   

• research into potential donors, partners and sponsors for financial and/or in-kind donations
• initiate and maintain communication through email and phone
• effectively convey CCD's mission, values adn fundraising goals
• provide information and encourage participation
• provide the FD Team regular updates on outreach activities and progress
• report any feedback, concerns or opportunities for improvement to campaign strategies

Write friendly, personal letters in Italian to senior citizens in aged care homes and programs. Spread joy to someone in their native language!

• Demonstrate empathy and kindness, connect with elders and help them realize that they are special and appreciated.

• Supply your own stationery and ensure adequate postage to mail your letters, or arrange to hand-deliver them.

• Your words will be read and cherished by elders who likely won’t have the physical ability or resources to respond to you.

• This is a remote opportunity. You’ll volunteer from home on your own schedule as your own pace.

Get started whenever you're ready by registering on our website as an individual, student, or group. We offer a program for students and student clubs requesting verification of their letters for community service credit.

Deliver food boxes on Fridays to clients' homes.  Food boxes contain a variety of healthy food essentials, locally made or grown.

Packers assemble food items, organize and fill food boxes on Thursdays.

Deliver meals along an assigned route usually designed to be completed in 1-1.5hrs * Deliver meals to the clients' door.  Have a few minutes for a brief chat.  Pick-up around 11am.

Pack meals in MOW bags in the morning hours

Clean out and sanitize returning MOW bags in the afternoon 
 

With direction and support from the Community Outreach Staff:

•        Develop timelines to effectively deliver programs including travel and logistics

•        Update and upload Potential Contacts and clients into Mailchimp

•        Update and contact potential partners and sponsors

Girls Inc. of Durham is currently looking for Bingo volunteers!   Volunteers are needed for a 2-hour shift once a week at Delta Bingo and Gaming in Pickering. In exchange for volunteering, Delta generously supports Girls Inc. programs.   A single volunteer shift can raise enough funds to sponsor a girl to attend a life-changing Girls Inc. camp for FREE!   We are looking for individuals who are: -19+ -have two doses of their vaccine -available during the day 

Looking to get involved in your community and make an impact on students? 
Join our Humane Education Volunteer Team! 

If you are passionate about animals, enjoy working with children and want to make a difference in your community, consider joining our Humane Education Team to continue your journey of being an animal advocate!  

Time Commitment 

We ask for a minimum commitment of four presentations each month, which is between eight to twelve hours monthly. Volunteers must have daytime availability and provide four morning or afternoon slots to present during school hours.  

Role Requirements 

• Must provide a clear Criminal and Judicial Matters Check.
• A vehicle in good working order will be required for this role. 
• Access to a personal tech device on a secure Wi-Fi network.
• Be available to commit to four presentations each month.
• Comfortable presenting in front of children.

The Impact 

• Directly impact your local and global community by empowering participants to  discover their empathy for animals and their environment, while inspiring a deep connection to animals. 
• Taking a student-centred approach, have meaningful conversations about animals through discussions, videos, and activities with curriculum connections. 
• Make a direct impact on the lives of animals and children. 

THE BENEFITS TO YOU 

• Gain valuable skills and learn more about animal well-being and our Humane Education programs.
• Gain leadership and public speaking skills in classroom settings
• Engage in heartwarming and impactful experiences as you empower young minds to be animal advocates. 

POSITION REQUIREMENTS  

• Previous teaching, presenting or experience working in a school setting would be an asset.
• Have good working knowledge of PowerPoint, Google Classroom, and other presentation software. 
• Ability to clearly communicate instructions to students.  
• Must provide a clear Criminal and Judicial Matters Check.
• A vehicle in good working order will be required for this role.  
• Must reside within our Animal Centre communities (York, Durham, Barrie, Lennox & Addington, Leeds & Grenville, Midland, Muskoka, Orangeville, Orillia, Renfrew County, Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry, & Sudbury. 
• Must be able to provide daytime availability (during school hours).
• Must be available to deliver 4 presentations a month. 
• Access to a personal tech device on a secure Wi-Fi network. 

JOIN OUR VOLUNTEER TEAM TODAY! 

 *Mileage reimbursement is NOT available for this role; therefore, we do our absolute best to schedule presentations within a 25km (about 15.53 mi) radius of your community.   

A variety of volunteer opportunities available to assist with weekly timed 5 km run on the Duffins Trail * marshal, photography * setup, tear-down * timer, scanning, finish tokens * other tasks as needed

Connect with new stroke survivors and/or caregivers in the local hospital setting.  Must be a stroke survivor/caregiver. Lived experience with the effects of a stroke and utilze their experience to provide hope, encouragement, eduation and emotional support to people who are beginning the recovery process.  

Katimavik’s National Experience is an opportunity for any Canadian citizens, permanent residents or landed refugees aged 17 – 25 who are looking for 5.5 months of creative learning, community engagement, Truth and Reconciliation, and self-discovery * participants will live in a group setting with up to 10 of their peers in two separate communities throughout the course of the program * during the program they engage in 32 hours of valuable volunteer work a week, learn how to manage a house, make lifelong friends, and gain confidence that they themselves can make an impactful difference in our country.  
 
This is a fully funded opportunity where participants’ travel expenses, living accommodations, food costs, and daily needs are covered * participants will need to bring is their dedication, empathy, and commitment to making a better world * Katimavik aims to help young folks become engaged, caring citizens and capable contributors and leaders for a better Canada through the development of 21st century skills, experiential learning, and civic engagement.

Program cohorts start every January and July of each year.

Assist staff by helping out at community events in Durham Region work in shifts to help staff the CCD booth for a few hours pick up and/or return CCD booth and materials to the local Hub * booth set-up and/or tear down * greet and engage with visitors to the booth * converse with visitors in promoting volunteering, services and other CCD initiatives