Community Support Connections - Meals on Wheels and More is dedicated to enabling people to live at home with independence and dignity. Our practical, day-to-day, volunteer-driven supports and services ensure that we live in a community where everyone feels at home - valued, connected and empowered.
Volunteer Information for Community Support Connections
What services does your organization provide? Meals on Wheels, Transportation, Care Coordination, Homemaking and Home Maintenance, Gentle Exercise, Friendly Visiting, Community Dining, Crisis Intervention, and Caregiver Support.
Do you have any age requirements? 18 (16 in a few cases, such as Meals on Wheels runners and special events volunteers)
Do you require language proficiency other than in English? Yes. Many clients of our Friendly Visiting program speak languages other than English as their first language. Need varies based on the needs of our clients and who is currently waiting to be matched.
What time commitment(s) are you expecting from a volunteer? Time commitment varies depending on the volunteer opportunity. For some positions we request regular weekly commitments of a couple of hours, for others the commitment is very flexible.
Are there any other requirements for being a volunteer? Requirements will vary depending on position. A Statement of Driving Record and proof of insurance is needed for anyone driving on behalf of our agency. All volunteers need to have a clear and recent (within 6 months) 'Vulnerable Sector' police check.
Are there any specific skills and experience required? Skills vary depending on the position. Transportation and Meals on Wheels driver volunteers need to have a valid driver's license and insurance. All volunteer positions require an interest in helping us enable people to live at home with independence and dignity, as well as a genuine concern for seniors and adults with disabilities. Most positions are flexible, with potential volunteer opportunities designed to fit the volunteer's interests and strengths.
What type of volunteer positions are typically available?
Meals on Wheels drivers and runners
Gentle exercise instructors in-home and at community locations
Community Dining assistants
Friendly Visiting volunteers
Reassurance Calls and Security Check volunteers
Shopping and Transportation volunteers
Is there any training provided for volunteers? Yes, though this depends on the volunteer position. Orientations and yearly ongoing training is provided for several positions.
What are the typical volunteer activities occurring at your organization? We have volunteer Meals on Wheels drivers and runners, volunteer exercise instructors, Community Dining assistants, Friendly Visitor volunteers who visit with isolated seniors and adults with disabilities in the community, Reassurance Calls and Security Check volunteers who make weekly calls to isolated seniors, and shopping and transportation volunteers who help with grocery shopping and transporting people to medical appointments. There are also Board of Director positions, and special events committee opportunities as well.
How will a person benefit from volunteering with Community Support Connections? The volunteer will know that their effort is making a real impact on the lives of people in their community as they help enable them to stay in their homes where they want to be. Most volunteer positions offer direct interaction with the people they are helping, so the volunteer can see how their time and effort is directly benefiting people's lives.
If you are a Canadian organization seeking volunteers and want to have a profile listed and/or updated with us, we invite you to fill out our volunteer questionnaire. If you have any questions or comments, we can be contacted at volunteer@canadian-universities.net.
519-772-8787
