COSTI is currently recruiting volunteers for its Community Connections Program to support government-sponsored refugee families arriving in the Greater Toronto Area. Selected volunteers will be matched with a newcomer family to assist in their integration and settlement journey, providing guidance, support, and a welcoming presence as they adapt to their new community.

Duties of Welcome Group volunteers might vary based on the family’s needs, some of which might include  

• Build a positive and trusting relationship with newcomer families 

• Socialize and engage with the newcomer family to help build connections and raise a sense of belonging 

• Provide interpretation support if you speak the same language as the family  

• Escort the newcomer clients to some appointments to help navigate the public transportation system 

• Provide information and share resources based on the family's needs 

• Hold a casual conversation with parents/ adult family members to enhance English skills  

If you are interested, please contact us at nahrin.ojanes@costi.org

Assist staff with social and recreational activities * work one on one with a client * help with meal preparation, serving meals and other kitchen duties

Become a facilitator and work as a team to support those with emotional or mental health concerns in a group setting* support groups take place in-person and virtually during the week * extensive training required

General volunteers do a variety of tasks including food service * dispensing pantry goods * monitoring washrooms * coat check * and various other odd jobs.

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.

Supporting members throughout a variety of events including:

• Art Workshops
• Dances
• Cooking Classes
• Weekend Cabin Retreats - at Camp Samac
• Bowling Nights 
• Dinner & Movie Nights

Duties during events include

• engaging with members in a friendly socializing role
• contributing to a positive, welcoming and inclusive environment by respecting all individuals including members, staff & volunteers from different walks of life and varied abilities
• promote appropriate life and social skills
• encourage members to participate in events through positive energy and participation
• assisting members to ensure they're included in programs i.e., holding knife while member places hand over top of yours to assist with cutting food items
• supporting staff in set up and clean up of events including: whiping down tables/counters, dishes, decorating, moving furniture, changing garbages etc. 

The Katimavik National Experience challenges young people to make a positive impact in each of the communities while also developing a vast set of skills and competencies. The program brings together 11 young, diverse adults who share and manage a Katimavik house while living and doing meaningful volunteer work in two different communities. Throughout 22 weeks, participants are very busy and can expect to participate fully in the following: 

• Volunteering 32 hours a week at local non-profit organizations; 

• Learning about Indigenous peoples in Canada and engaging in meaningful truth and reconciliation initiatives; 

• Team building and collaboration; 

• Designing and implementing community projects; 

• Managing all aspects of the Katimavik house, including daily meal preparation; 

• Plan cultural discovery, group outings and fun activities during evenings and weekends. 

Katimavik National Experience is a fully funded, all expenses related to participation in the program are covered, including transportation to and from the communities, group activities, housing, and meals. Katimavik is funded by the Government of Canada through its Canada Service Corps initiative. 

Katimavik aims to help youth become engaged, caring citizens and capable contributors and leaders for a better Canada. We do this through the development of 21st century skills, experiential learning, and civic engagement. 

The National Experience is open to all young people aged 17-25 years old. Participants must be a Canadian citizen or be able to demonstrate that they are legally residing in Canada. 

Program cohorts start every January and July of each year.

To Apply, please visit our website https://katimavik.org/en/programs/national-experience/