Family Support Mentor - Volunteer

Part Time, Temporary

Wellington County

Job Description

Family Support Volunteers provide support, friendship, emotional support and encouragement to an isolated parent or guardian. They are role models, enhance parenting and coping skills, assist in connection to community resources, and in building social networks. This could include weekly friendly visits, helping complete forms or applications, helping to set up household systems (keeping home tidy, house work, school lunches, etc), accompanying to appointments, menu planning or cooking together.

Commitment: Approximately 2-3 hours, weekly for a suggested minimum of 8 months. Days of the week and times are flexible based on the volunteer’s availability and needs of the family.

Responsibilities: • Provide emotional support and be an effective listener. • Assist with developing practical skills for daily activities i.e., budgeting, meal planning, household management. • Provide respite for the parent/guardian by engaging children in activities. • Assist parent/guardian with signing their child(ren) for programs and activities. • Ability to connect the parent/guardian to community resources and networks. • Ability to maintain confidentiality. • Be reliable, punctual, respectful, and understanding of last-minute changes.

You would be a great fit for this role if you are community minded, enjoy visiting, have a helping nature, are understanding of the challenges of being a parent or caregiver and have knowledge of community resources (i.e. food security providers, parks, community centres, EarlyON, coffee shops etc)

Qualifications

Volunteers are carefully screened for involvement in the Family Support program. The following is a list of the type of skill which are considered in the selection process. Volunteers are asked to be open to personal development in these areas through training, experience, and feedback. • Demonstration of interpersonal skills and effective listening skills, consistency, patience, empathy, understanding, encouragement. • Experience working with children and ability to build knowledge of child development. • Maintain boundaries and a professional relationship. • Be reliable, punctual, and flexible. • Knowledge of community resources

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

How to Apply

Visit the volunteer page of our website. https://www.fcsgw.org/

Posted By

Family & Children’s Services of Guelph and Wellington County (FCSGW)

Family & Children’s Services of Guelph and Wellington County serves Wellington County and Guelph. With children, youth, families, and communities, we work inclusively and equitably toward safety, well-being, connection, and reconciliation. It is our vision that children and youth are safe, supported, and thriving. For more information visit our website https://www.fcsgw.org/

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.