This is a remote volunteer position supporting the Guelph-Wellington Community. All shifts and training are completed remotely, therefore, residence in Guelph-Wellington is not a requirement for this position.

Responsibilities:

• Complete outbound and outbound calls with service users residing in the county
• Complete safety/wellness checks, provide medication reminders, and engage in social conversations with vulnerable populations
• Assist with crisis intervention, when presented
• Utilize a strengths-based, solution-focused approach
• Provide external resources and referrals to service users 
• Complete case documentation of all interactions with service users

Kids Help Phone’s texting service is the only free, 24/7 bilingual text line for people in Canada. The service is delivered by trained, volunteer crisis responders who work remotely. 

We are recruiting overnight and or bilingual crisis responders who will answer texts from young people looking for support in both English AND French.

The volunteer position will be remote, meaning that you can participate from anywhere in Canada as long you have a strong, reliable internet connection!  

Our volunteers need to be enthusiastic about helping people!

You can be a professional, student, teacher, retiree, or anybody else with a willingness to learn how to support people over text.  

The role of a crisis responder is to bring texters from a “hot” moment to a cool calm one, and to help them come up with a plan to stay healthy and safe.

Crisis responders are trained to do this using active listening and collaborative problem-solving.

• Empathetic listeners who are able to provide inclusive, non-judgmental support to callers representing a variety of ages, identities, and concerns
• Call centre operates 24/7, and we actively recruit both day and night shifts. 
• Day shifts are 4 hours

Our volunteers help in various aspects of our organization, from direct interaction with program participants, to behind-the-scenes roles. 

The following are volunteer opportunities:

Meal Maker

Sandwich Makers

S.H.I.F.T. Board of Directors

S.H.I.F.T. Advisory Committee

S.H.I.F.T. Fundraising Committe and Event Volunteers

This committee is a team of volunteers focused on the planning, developing and execution of key fundraising events to support the operational costs of S.H.I.F.T.  Working alongside our Donor Relations & Stewardship Officer and a member of our Board of Directors, this committee plays an important role in ensuring the organization has adequate funds for operations.

​If you have sales/fundraising experience and a passion for this community, we would love you to join us! We are a fun group, promise!

​Time commitments will vary depending on the time of year and the specific event.  You don’t need to commit to being part of every fundraising event but we do ask that you have a minimum of 4 hours a month to give to this committee and the responsibilities that come with it.

​Coldest Night of the Year - Event Volunteer - Open December through February annually

Volunteers are a large part of the success of our annual CNOY event!  

​Every year between October and the end of February we look for volunteers to join us in having a blast to raise much needed funds and awareness for S.H.I.F.T.

There are lots of fun volunteer roles to choose from in the Coldest Night of the Year! Roles include: Check-In Crew, Greeters, Route Marshalls, Food Team, Rest Stop Hosts, Send-Off/Welcome Back Crew, and more!  Many of our roles are needed for most of the day, while others have shorter timeframes. 

​Click on the position title to head to the CNOY Volunteer Registration page - select "Alliston - S.H.I.F.T." in the "Choose Your Location..." drop down menu to get your started.  After you register to volunteer you'll receive a confirmation email outlining all of the information you've provided to us.  Then, expect to hear directly from the Event Volunteer Leader, who will give you more details on volunteering.  

• Demonstrated experience required (paid or volunteer) 
 

• Designing, Planning and Implementing the Health Promotion Campaigns within the house and/or community 
 

• Have a clear understanding of the traumatic effects of domestic violence and/or human trafficking on an individual 
 

• Listen to clients to assess their needs and recommend resources to meet those needs 
 

• Assist in monitoring the physical and mental health of the clients 
 

• Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously and efficiently with minimal supervision 
 

• Share our passion and dedication to making a real difference in the lives of women (particularly BIPOC women) who have experienced trauma through domestic violence and/or human trafficking 
 

• Deliver to a high standard, in pften challenging circumstances, both ethically and professionally and are able to work collaboratively in a culturally diverse organization 
 

• You will demonstrate a commitment to the organization's missions and values
 

Integral part of the women’s healing journey and helping survivors move forward to a safe, positive and healthy tomorrow. Topics to be considered (but are not limited to) are Finance and Budgeting, Goal Setting, Time Management, Meal Planning on a Budget, Stress Management, and Importance of a Healthy Work/Life Balance. You will be provided with an outline of guidelines. 
 
Working collaboratively with the Program Manager and Health & Wellness Coordinator, the Workshop Facilitator will work toward the following, as a volunteer: 

• Demonstrated experience required (paid or volunteer)  
• Various professional backgrounds are welcome 
• Have internet capabilities to deliver the workshop virtually through Zoom. 
• When developing workshops you will:  
  
  • have a heightened awareness and understanding that trauma comes in all forms  
  • Understand that we have all experienced trauma in some form 
  • Be sensitive to the fact that each person experiences trauma differently 
  • Avoid making assumptions about a person’s past experiences 
  • Always consider the ways in which race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, age, ability, education, language, geographic location, socio-economic status, etc reflect the information and dialogue throughout your presentation
   
• Deliver to a high standard, in often challenging circumstances, both ethically and professionally and are able to work collaboratively in a culturally diverse organization.  
• You will demonstrate a commitment to the organization’s mission and values

Volunteer duties vary depending on the placement and will be discussed prior to an interview.

Current opportunities:

• Good Food Box – the second Wednesday of the month, unloading the produce truck, sorting and packing food boxes, volunteer delivery drivers, variety of shifts available – Barrie 

• Cooking Classes with the Urban Pantry program – Barrie 

• Assembling Harm Reduction Kits – in need of 2-4 volunteers for this role, once a month on the 3rd Tuesday of the month from 9 am - 1 pm – Barrie 

• Client and Family Advisory Committee members - open to clients or family member/caregiver in the past 3 years

• One-on-one client support

  • Currently opportunities in Barrie, Collingwood

• Healthy Relationship Group – Co-facilitator in Barrie
  • 1.5 hours per week (possible evenings)

• Reception support in Midland

  • Mon-Wed 10 am to 3 pm (various shifts)

• Recreational groups in Collingwood

  • Tuesdays at 11 am

  • Thursdays at 2 pm

Volunteers would be required to provide support to individuals on a helpline or chat service who have experienced sexual trauma, violence and or assault. A 30 hour training course and interview is to be completed before starting on the helpline and chat service. 

All Patient Family Caregiver Advisors are members of the Barrie and Area OHT's Patient Family Caregiver Advisory Council (PFAC). Members of PFAC will be expected to apply your learning, collective experience, and insights to:

• Provide advice on how to achieve patient-centred health care within the local health system;
• Provide system-level guidance and recommendations to support the successful planning and implementation of strategic priorities;
• Act as a resource to and/or work in collaboration with working groups and committees for the BAOHT and beyond;
• Promote initiatives to increase and sustain meaningful PFAC engagement in the future.

Assist with participant pre-evaluations and assessments 
Help with the set up and clean up of refreshments, games and activities 
Assist Minds in Motion Coordinator to ensure activity participation and socialization 
Under direction of the Physical Activity Program Leader, provide one-on-one support to participants during physical activity component of the program 
Assist with any other required task 
Complete a post evaluation form