Family & Children's Services Guelph Wellington - Volunteer Services

Mentors (children aged 5-12) provide one to one support and guidance of children and youth by providing social skills and personal development.  Mentors provide regular visits and provide opportunities that the child or youth would otherwise not have.  This role supports the child/youth as well as provides respite to parents.

Commitment:  In order to provide regular and consistent visits, we ask for an 8-month minimum commitment.  Once a week, up to 3 hrs per week

Responsibilities:

• Provide support, advocacy and guidance and a listening ear.
• Be a positive, reliable, respectful role model.
• Visit the child/youth on a regular, consistent basis and on agreed upon dates and times.
• Assist with, if appropriate, simple life skills such as shopping, cooking, budgeting, schoolwork, etc.
• Report issues and concerns to FCSGW staff
• Complete and submit monthly logs and expenses.
• Maintain confidentiality and boundaries.

You would be a good fit for this role if you are:

• Like and enjoy being around children
• Enjoy working with diverse populations.
• Have a positive outlook.
• Demonstrate good listening skills, patience, and empathy.
• Understand that last minute changes or cancelations can occur for a variety of reasons.
• Welcoming and passionate about supporting family wellbeing in our community.
• Ability to problem solve.

Requirements:

• Vulnerable Sector Check (police check) and internal agency record check
• Carrying a cell phone is recommended.
• Working within the policies, procedures, and practices of FCSGW
• Attend orientation or training sessions.

Staff Support:  Volunteers in this role are support by the worker and Coordinator of Volunteer Resources.

Family & Children’s Services of Guelph and Wellington County is committed to the decolonization of the child welfare system while remaining focused on the safety and wellbeing of children with their families and kin. This includes challenging and responding to the structural inequalities experienced by families. Fundamental to the work of Family Services are the foundations of Equity, Anti-Oppression, Indigenous Safety, and Trauma in child welfare using the practice models of Signs of Safety and Family Finding.

Family & Children’s Services of Guelph and Wellington County is committed to working from an Anti-Oppressive and Equity practice and dedicated to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community in which we live and serve. The agency encourages applications from members of an Equity deserving group and/or with lived experience. We are committed to creating an accessible environment for all. Please let us know if you have any accommodation needs.

For more information contact:

Coordinator of Volunteer Resources, 519-824-2410x 4438 or volunteer@fscgw.org