Looking for long-term Volunteers (minimum of 6 months, required to attend 2 hours minimum per week) to assist with every day programs, events, outings, entertainment and much MORE!

The Peer Support Volunteer plays a vital role in providing compassionate, empathetic support to individuals and families who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss. Volunteers offer a listening ear, shared understanding, and companionship on the grief journey, creating a safe space for bereaved individuals to express their feelings, share memories, and receive validation from someone who “gets it.” By joining our team, you’ll help ensure that no one has to grieve alone.

Responsibilities:

• Provide emotional support through one-on-one phone calls, online meetings, or in-person (as appropriate) to individuals who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss.
• Listen actively, showing empathy and compassion, and creating a safe, non-judgmental space for individuals to share their grief.
• Share your own experiences in a supportive and respectful manner, when appropriate, to help normalize and validate the individual’s feelings.
• Support participants in finding resources and encourage self-care practices that align with their unique grief journey.
• Communicate and collaborate with PAIL Network staff, sharing updates as needed while respecting the privacy and confidentiality of participants.
• Complete initial and ongoing training to enhance skills, including workshops on grief, trauma-informed care, and cultural sensitivity.

Qualifications:

• Personal experience with pregnancy or infant loss and a desire to support others going through similar experiences.
• Excellent listening and communication skills, with the ability to provide empathetic, non-judgmental support.
• Respect for confidentiality and boundaries, with an understanding of the importance of privacy in peer support relationships.
• Ability to commit to regular volunteer sessions, showing reliability and consistency.
• Willingness to participate in training, supervision, and support meetings as needed.

Training and Support:

• Comprehensive training on topics such as grief, trauma-informed care, effective communication, and cultural sensitivity.
• Ongoing support from PAIL Network staff and access to additional training opportunities.
• Regular check-ins and debriefing sessions to support volunteers in their role.

If you have experienced pregnancy or infant loss and feel called to support others on their grief journey, we encourage you to apply. By sharing your understanding, compassion, and empathy, you can help ensure that bereaved individuals know they are not alone.

Assist at food bank * sort food donations and pack food bags for clients * gather and pack frozen meat, produce and dairy bags for clients.

Volunteers needed to exercise their expertise in the following areas:

• receive and sort donations
• greet and help assist customers 
• cashier duties
• electronics/small appliance fixer and tester
• put together creative, pleasing displays
• handyman around the building 
• clean and price items for the following departments:  housewares, books, jewellery, sports, furniture, clothing, shoes, linens, purses and luggage, toys, electronics and high-end collectables/sports memorabelia

SEND SMILES AND SUNSHINE:

BECOME A VOLUNTEER LETTER-WRITER TODAY!

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, our dedicated volunteers have sent countless letters and cards in 30 languages, spreading joy and connection around the globe!

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! 

IMPORTANT DETAILS FOR VOLUNTEERS

• Ideal volunteer: Writes unique, friendly, conversational letters to connect with the reader and make them feel special. We offer ideas and sample letters on our blog and social media.
• You’ll mail your handwritten letters to one of our partner facilities. After you register with us and write some letters, log on to our user portal to choose a destination.
• We operate on a two-week cycle; please don't sign up for letters until you have the time and supplies to mail them. Every two weeks - e.g. September 15, September 29, October 13, etc. - our mailing list resets, and new requests for letters become available for you to claim.
• Expenses: Postage, writing materials, envelopes. You can send multiple letters in one large envelope to save on postage.
• You won’t know the name of the reader. Address letters as “Dear Friend.”
• This is not a pen pal program; while you may occasionally receive a response, most seniors don’t have the physical ability or resources to write back to you.
• We have no staff, physical office, or phone. Please email volunteer Lindsay for support.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

• Join our team of volunteers and commit to writing letters on an ongoing basis.
• Focus your message on sharing a bit about yourself to make each letter unique and special. Seniors tell us that these personal stories are their favorite part of the letter!
• Limit affirmations and general well wishes, as they can come across as impersonal when overused.
• Avoid sensitive topics such as religion, holidays, health and politics.
• Keep your message positive!
• While handcrafted cards are welcome, they are not required; your handwritten message is what matters most. It doesn't need to be fancy.
• 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, employees, co-workers, classroom or club members.
• Team up with a public library to host a letter-writing event.
• Post our flyer on social media and community bulletin boards at libraries, cafes, bookstores, stationery and craft stores, and apartment complexes.

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

1. Register with us on our website at https://www.lettersagainstisolation.com/ and choose the registration option that applies to you:

• individual
• student (for students requesting community service hour verification, including student clubs)*
• group

2. Contact Lindsay if you have any questions.

3. THE FUN PART: Write some friendly letters!

4. When you're ready to mail them, log into our web portal and choose a destination facility.

5. Keep an eye out for our email newsletter every Sunday, and connect with us on social media: LinkedIn • Instagram • Facebook 

*Students and professionals requesting official documentation for community service credit should review our Community Service Guidelines and then complete our Registration Form. You’ll work 1:1 with a member of our Student Liaison Team. You will be asked to submit photos of your work for verification. We award one hour of community service credit for every four letters written & sent that meet our guidelines.

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

Purpose of the role

JA Central Ontario is looking for enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers to support students through JA Events. JA engages volunteers from the local business community to add value to the student experience by sharing industry insights and expertise. If you’re passionate about helping youth in your community, this opportunity will be a valuable volunteer experience!

How it works

Joining a JA educational event, you'll share your career journey and experiences with student participants. During these events, students in grades 9-12 will hear from a range of speakers from a whole host of industries and backgrounds. You'll share your stories, outline your career path and answer student questions. This is a fantastic opportunity to inspire young people as they are thinking about their futures.

What do you wish you had known in high school? What advice would you give to your younger self? What is the most exciting thing about the world of work? Help students answer these questions and much more by volunteering with JA Central Ontario!

You will have the option of attending either a virtual or in-person event.

About JA Central Ontario

Here at JA Central Ontario, we prepare youth for life, for meaningful work and for an opportunity to do good in the world. We help young people go from saying ‘I can’t’ to ‘I can’ through our immersive, digitally-enabled learning experiences. Students learn practical skills like budgeting, saving and starting a business - but they also learn adaptability, creativity, problem-solving and a host of interpersonal tools too. They also meet industry experts and mentors - adult allies who can help them envision their future. We’re all about skill building – minus sleeping through the boring parts. Because with JA, there are no boring parts.

A Central Ontario is looking for enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers to support students through JA's signature learning experience, Company Program.

JA Company Program Advisors inspire a new generation to dream big and reach their goals. This unique learning experience that empowers young people in grades 9-12 with the skills, connections and confidence to build something incredible - a business, a community and a bright future.

Company Program is a hands-on entrepreneurial experience for high school students. As a team, students are guided through innovation processes and design thinking. Together with peers and mentors, they produce a prototype, product or service, organize the production and marketing, interact with customers, handle money, and meet deadlines. Company Program combines in-person after-school meetings, online learning and exciting events.

How it works
Working alongside a team of business professionals, advisors act as mentors, role models and facilitators to a group of 10-20 high school students during an 18-week entrepreneurial journey to create, run and liquidate a business.

Over 18 weeks, Advisors support teams of students as they create a company, choose a product or service and run their very own business. You will meet with your team once a week for 2-3 hours, after school, at a specified location.

Program Summary:
In-Person: The program will be running in-person across Central Ontario.
Number of advisors: Each advising team will consist of 1 to 2 lead advisors and 3 or more advisors.
Number of students: With your advising team, you will be supporting a team of 10 to 20 high school students. You will be mentoring the same group of students for the entirety of the program.
One business: The group of students you work with will come up with one business to create and run over 18 weeks.
Curriculum: Resources, training and support for all volunteers are provided by the JA Central Ontario Company Program team.

About JA Central Ontario
Here at JA Central Ontario, we prepare youth for life, for meaningful work and for an opportunity to do good in the world. We help young people go from saying ‘I can’t’ to ‘I can’ through our immersive, digitally-enabled learning experiences. Students learn practical skills like budgeting, saving and starting a business - but they also learn adaptability, creativity, problem-solving and a host of interpersonal tools too. They also meet industry experts and mentors - adult allies who can help them envision their future. We’re all about skill building – minus sleeping through the boring parts. Because with JA, there are no boring parts.

Our weekly event requires:  A Marshall - to help direct the runners at turnpoionts

A Timer - will need a smartphone and be able to download the timing app which will be used to time the prticipants for their 5K wlak/run/jog

A scanner - will need a smartphone to use the app to scan barcodes at the end of the event

A tailwalker - will be walking the course, following the last participant. Will act as course 'sweep' as well as pick up signage.

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.