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Community Connections
General Interests
Friendship-based match
Friendship-based Match
Volunteers in the one-on-one matching program are connected with an immigrant or refugee who lives in Abbotsford and has reached out for support. The time commitment is approximately 2 hrs per week for a minimum of 6 months.
Job Description:
- Schedule meetings with “match” and plan activities
- Offer English language support to a new immigrant or refugee
- Share insights into Canadian culture
- Share knowledge of the local community, attractions, events, and activities
- Offer friendship and support
Qualifications:
- Knowledge of the challenges facing new immigrants/refugees
- Knowledge of the community and the resources that are available
- Fluency in English
- Patience and empathy
- Sensitivity to cross-cultural differences
This volunteer position is best suited for someone who is:
- Outgoing and friendly
- Not judgmental or critical
- Patient
- Respectful
- A native or fluent English speaker
Knitting Group Volunteers
Volunteer Duties
- Assist participants with knitting projects
- Organize materials and ensure that participants have the equipment they need
- Offer friendship and support to participants while they knit
- Foster a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere amongst the group participants
Qualifications:
- Knowledge of the challenges facing newcomers
- Ability to knit (you don't need to be an expert!)
- Patience and empathy
- Sensitivity to cross-cultural differences
This volunteer position is best suited for someone who is:
- Outgoing and friendly
- Not judgmental or critical
- Patient
- Respectful
- A team-player
Virtual English Conversation Circle Volunteer
PROGRAM NAME: Community Connections
POSITION TITLE: Virtual English Conversation Circle Volunteer
SCHEDULE: Weekly, 2 hours per session/ once a week
LOCATION: Virtual
REPORTS TO: Lata Aggarwal
English Virtual Conversation Circle volunteers assist immigrant and refugee newcomers with English practice at weekly online drop-in sessions. Volunteers lead small groups of participants organized according to their English level. Staff send an invite to clients and volunteer on a weekly basis (ensuring privacy by not sharing email information) In most cases, the time commitment is 2 hrs per week (min. 6 months).
Duties:
- Facilitate an online conversation group of English language learners (normally 3-5 participants)
- Commit to a regular volunteer schedule (one class per week)
- Have access to a laptop/computer and internet access
- Encourage attendees to practice speaking English
- Manage dialogue and keep conversation flowing
- Ensure that conversations remain respectful
- Share insights into Canadian culture
- Attend occasional training sessions
Qualifications:
- Fluency in English
- Knowledge of or willingness to learn about the challenges facing new immigrants/refugees
- Willingness and ability to communicate with newcomers who are still learning English
- Previous experience interacting with individuals whose first language is not English
- Sensitivity to cross-cultural differences
- Available to volunteer for 2 hours per week
- Previous teaching and/or facilitation experience is an asset
This volunteer position is best suited for someone who is:
- Patient and friendly
- An excellent communicator
- Open-minded and non-judgmental
- Comfortable using the computer
- A native or fluent English speaker
- Reliable and committed