The Brenda Strafford Foundation

Are you a member of the clergy who wishes to share your faith with residents? We have opportunities for clergy within established religions to schedule religious services on-site in our Chapels. We also have opportunities for non-ordained members of any faith community to attend our sites to provide support to residents who request their support.

ROLE DESCRIPTION and RESPONSIBILITIES 

Spiritual Care Volunteers provide a connection to a resident’s faith community. Clergy within established religions may attend the site to preside over religious services. Non-ordained members of a faith community may attend the site to provide one-on-one or small group support to residents who request it. You should have a connection with an established community faith group.

You will need:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to engage with residents

• Understand the safety requirements and rules of the Brenda Strafford Foundation
• Sign in and out and track your hours
• Arrive on time and maintain a professional demeanor with residents and staff
• Report the resident’s participation to your supervisor for charting on their clinical record
• In a timely manner, let your supervisor know if you are running late or unable to fulfill your commitment

REQUIREMENTS

• Completed application
• Successful completion of the interview process
• Positive reference checks
• Pass a Police Information Check and Vulnerable Sector Search
• Complete the orientation and screening process

SUPERVISED BY

Manager of Therapeutic Recreation & Volunteer Services/Life Enrichment Manager

Do you enjoy going for walks in the park? Are you a fan of day trips to local amenities? Then the Outing Volunteer position is suited for you. You will be giving the gift of fresh air and new sites and sounds to our residents and have an opportunity to share some laughs and make memories.

ROLE DESCRIPTION and RESPONSIBILITIES 

Outing Volunteers contribute to a resident’s health and wellness by assisting with mobility so the resident feels engaged and more in touch with the community. Whether it’s an assisted walk in the neighbourhood or an organized bus trip, your help will allow our residents to enjoy activities outside. The outings are typically daytime hours.

You will need:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to engage with residents
• Be physically strong and able to assist residents with walkers and wheelchairs

• Understand the safety requirements and rules of the Brenda Strafford Foundation
• Sign in and out and track your hours
• Arrive on time and maintain a professional demeanor with residents and staff
• Report the resident’s participation to your supervisor for charting on their clinical record
• In a timely manner, let your supervisor know if you are running late or unable to fulfill your commitment

REQUIREMENTS

• Completed application
• Successful completion of the interview process
• Positive reference checks
• Pass a Police Information Check and Vulnerable Sector Search
• Complete the orientation and screening process

SUPERVISED BY

Manager of Therapeutic Recreation & Volunteer Services/Life Enrichment Manager

As many organizations and clubs wish to give back to the community, they are happy to organize teams of volunteers from their employees and members. All our sites are happy to be the recipients of your kindness. If you have a team of volunteers that are looking for opportunities in their community, our sites are well suited as there are locations in every quadrant.

ROLES and RESPONSIBILITIES 

Provide a team or teams to one or more sites for a specific volunteer day or event. As the volunteer lead from your organization, you will be responsible for the planning and paperwork in collaboration with the supervisor for the event. All volunteers will be working closely with staff and will have a brief orientation and training on-site beforehand.

You will need:

• To understand the safety requirements and rules of the Brenda Strafford Foundation
• Sign in and out and track your hours (volunteer lead)
• Arrive on time and maintain a professional demeanor with residents and staff
• In a timely manner, let us know if your team are running late or unable to fulfill your commitment

REQUIREMENTS

• Agree to the confidentiality and ethical consideration policies of BSF
• Volunteer Team Lead is responsible for all paperwork and onsite coordination of the team
• Have each volunteer fill out and sign the Visiting Volunteer Waiver
• Complete the on-site orientation

SUPERVISED BY

Manager of Therapeutic Recreation & Volunteer Services/Life Enrichment Manager

Volunteer and Resource Development Specialist

• You would help plant flowers in our courtyards and planters.
• Keep our plants happy and hydrated.
• Use your creativity to help arrange planters and garden spaces making our outdoor areas as beautiful as possible.

Are you looking for a fun and meaningful way to make a difference in your community? Join us as an intergenerational connector with our senior residents. This is a great chance to bridge a generation gap and create some unforgettable moments with seniors who have a wealth of stories and experiences to share. Think of it as hanging out with your grandparents or your cool great aunt or uncle. You'll be chatting, laughing and maybe even learning a thing or two from our awesome seniors. This role is all about fostering friendships, sparking conversations and bringing a little sunshine into a resident's day. You are a young person who loves to connect and engage with others.

Some of the things you can do:

• Spend time chatting, sharing stories and interests and asking about their favourite movies, books, music or life stories
• Participate in fun activities like games, arts & crafts, or a music event
• Help them to use technology. Smartphones, tablets or social media so they can connect with friends and family outside of the residence. Share your favourite apps with them.
• Be a kind and caring listener, sometimes all someone needs is to share a thought or memory

You will have the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with our residents who will appreciate your company. You can gain insights from the life experience of others, it's surprising how much you can learn. Improve your communication, teamwork and leadership skills and use the experience on your college applications and resumes. 

Opening Minds through Art (OMA) is an award-winning, evidence-based, intergenerational art-making program for people living with dementia. It was developed at Scripps Gerontology Center, an Ohio Center of Excellence at Miami University, in 2007. Opening Minds through Art (OMA)’s goal is to help build a society that values all people, including older adults living with dementia. We achieve this by building genuine friendships between people living with dementia and volunteers as they engage in artmaking. 

People living with dementia (artists) are paired with volunteers (students, families, caregivers) who are trained to rely on imagination instead of memory and focus on remaining strengths instead of lost skills. OMA enables people living with dementia to assume new roles as artists and teachers and leave a legacy of beautiful artwork.

This is a time sensitive volunteer role.

•  For 6 to 8 weeks.
• Site specific

REQUIREMENTS

• Completed application
• Successful completion of the interview process
• Positive reference checks
• Pass a Police Information Check and Vulnerable Sector Search
• Complete the orientation and screening process
• Complete training for OMA program