Centre 454

What services does your organization provide?
We offer a social recreation program, supportive counselling services, chaplaincy services, practical supports, in reach (other services providing services here) and a week-end program. As well, we have an Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) Application Support program.

Do you have any age requirements?
The minimum age requirement is 18 years and older.

Do you require language proficiency other than in English?
French

What time commitment(s) are you expecting from a volunteer?
3 hours a week or every other weeks for a 6 month commitment

Are there any other requirements for being a volunteer?
To be willing to go through our volunteer screening process and getting a police record check and providing names and contact information for two references.

Are there any specific skills and experience required?
The primary qualities we are looking for in our volunteers are the ability to be compassionate and non-judgmental. We are looking for people who would be comfortable in our setting and enjoy assisting our participants either by answering their queries at reception or by engaging our participants in our social recreation program.
We are also looking for people with musical, arts and crafts or writing skills to share with our participants.

What type of volunteer positions are typically available?
We are looking for people to assist at Reception and in our Social Recreation Program.
As well, we are looking for people who can share their musical, arts and crafts, or artistic skills with our participants.

Is there any training provided for volunteers?
We provide an orientation interview as well as two training sessions during the year.

What are the typical volunteer activities occurring at your organization?
Reception and social recreation program. At Reception, volunteers provide hospitality and direct participants to the different services at the Centre. They also help answer the telephone. Volunteers in social recreation, also provide hospitality, chat with our participants, play a game of cards or a board game with our participants.

How will a person benefit from volunteering with Centre 454?
Volunteers gain alot from volunteering here.

They have the opportunity to get to know our particants and can interact directly with them.

Volunteers work under the direction of staff who have a great deal of experience in working with our population and so volunteers can learn from them.

Volunteers will learn about the services available to this community, including the different shelters, the City of Ottawsa (with public health nurses), the Royal Ottawa Hospital (through outreach nurses who come here during the week), Wabano Community Health Centre, Housing Help and Ottawa Inner City Health.

Do you accept high school students?
No, we will not accept high school students. We serve a very vulnerable population and we need volunteers who are 18 years and older.