Volunteering Counts: Volunteering Opportunities

Changing Gears understands how vital volunteers are to the health and success of a community. Did you know that there are hundreds of volunteer opportunities available and thousands of individuals needed in many areas of Canada?

The benefit of helping others aside, volunteering is a very rewarding experience and can be a pleasant social activity.

Many organizations look towards our more mature citizens to volunteer. Their years of experience and knowledge are invaluable. Sometimes only a senior would have the patience to help a child learn to read or have the wisdom and knowledge to teach young people practical skills and arts.

Here are some of the opportunities available in our community:

Halton Volunteer Database: Site Type in "volunteers" in search box

Volunteer Action Online: Site

Canadian National Institute for the blind: Site

Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial: Site

Scouts of Canada: Site

Halton Women’s Place: Site

Volunteer Opportunities

Seniors Residences and Long Term Care Facilities

All of the seniors’ residences and long term care facilities in Halton area can use the skills of volunteers. Take a look around your neighbourhood and if you are close to a residence and are looking for a volunteer opportunity, why not start in your own backyard? Volunteers are needed for one on one visiting, participating in recreational activities, helping to run cafes, providing pet care, etc. etc. The possibilities are unlimited and the love and affection that you’ll receive from the seniors will be immense. Just drop by or call to see what the needs are.

Distress Centre Niagara

This service offers a free, confidential 24-hour telephone support service to the residents of the Niagara Region. The crisis lines are answered by trained volunteer crisis workers who listen to callers' cncerns, assist callers with solving their own problems, provide information and referrals to other community resources and intervene in life threatening situations, where appropriate. For more information contact the Distress Centre of Niagara at 905.688.5124.

Canadian Blood Services

Volunteer and save lives! CBS needs volunteers for customer service, weekdays at Oakville area blood donor clinincs. Service groups are also welcome to apply. Please call 416.313.4614 for details. Posted 22/02/06.

SAM: Seniors Activation Maintenance Adult Day Program

SAM is seeking volunteers for their Flamborough site. The site is located at 1921 Snake Road in Waterdown. For more details, please call Marissa at 905.689.5244.

Hamilton and Halton Children’s Aid Society needs volunteer drivers to transport children to various appointments throughout Halton, Hamilton and neighbouring communities. If you enjoy driving, love children, have three hours a week, or more, to spare then this could be the volunteer role you’ve been looking for. Volunteer drivers are reimbursed for mileage.

Requirements include:

A clean driving record
Police clearance
Patience and a love of children

For more information and an application package, please contact The Children’s Aid Society of Halton at 905.333.4441 ext. 248 or The Children’s Aid Society of Hamilton at 905.522.1121 ext. 6112.

Tele-Touch

Can you volunteer a few minutes a day? Tele-Touch is looking for volunteer callers, interviewers, office workers and board members. Volunteer callers share five minutes a day calling a senior from their own home or workplace. Volunteer interviewers will interview and train potential volunteer callers, and office volunteers are persons who can devote two to eight hours per month in the Tele-Touch office.

Those called are seniors, 55 and over, individuals with disabilities who reside independently in the community, and caregivers of loved ones with cognitive disorders. Friendly conversation is available in several languages.

If interested call your local Tele-Touch office and an information package will be mailed to you. The number to call in Hamilton is 905.522.9567 and in Halton please call 905.631.1711.

Daily Bread

Daily Bread requires survey volunteers. Help Daily Bread eliminate the need for food banks by conducting one-on-one surveys in food banks across the GTA. The annual survey of people who rely on food banks runs February until early April. A special need exists for volunteers who speak a language in addition to English. Volunteers must be at least 17 years old. Contact Daily Bread by email or by calling 416.203.0050 ext. 288.

Habitat for Humanity

Habitat needs all types of volunteers at one of their builds. Construction experience is not necessary, just the desire to have some fun. For more information and to contact your nearest affiliate, call 1.800.667.5137.

Canadian Red Cross

The Red Cross needs volunteers to drive seniors to day centers and medical appointments. See how much your thoughtfulness can help someone in need. Call 905.522.8485 ext. 254 for more details. Other volunteer opportunities are also available.

Hamilton Literacy Council

The council is looking for volunteers to help adults with basic reading, writing and math. Call 905.529.9907 for more information.

The United Way

The United Way needs retired volunteers to expand their outreach services into the retiree community. For details, call 905.527.4543.

VON

The VON needs volunteers to help with delivery of Meals on Wheels in Hamilton and Stoney Creek and to befriend lonely seniors. For more information, contact 905.522.0053.

Adults With Teaching Experiences

Adults are needed to supervise after school homework programs in Oakville elementary schools from 3- 4:30 pm. on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. Call Big Brother Big Sisters of Halton at 905.339.2355 ext. 231.

Oakville Distress Centre

Distress line volunteers are needed. Volunteers must be non-judgemental and have the ability to befriend callers with compassion and empathy. If you are over 18 and can commit to 12 hours a month, please call 905.849.4541. Posted 08/03/06.

Community Foundation

The Community Foundation needs volunteers. Contact Rusty Baillie by calling 905.845.7582.

The Senior Talent Bank & Volunteer Hamilton

The Senior Talent Bank encourages seniors to stay active and involved through volunteer activities. For more information please contact an STB representative at 905.522.0202. Posted 06/04/06.

Opera Hamilton

If you love opera and are able to give of your time and energy, we welcome you to do so. We have numerous ways in which you can draw yourself closer to the arts. Office and administrative positions are available, as are chances to help out with education and outreach programs. Contact Michele at 905.527.7627 ext. 221. Posted 06/04/06.

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