Katimavik’s National Experience is an amazing opportunity for any Canadian citizens, permanent residents or landed refugees aged 17 – 25 who are looking for 22 weeks of creative learning, community engagement, Truth and Reconciliation, and self-discovery! Youth will live in a group with up to 10 of their peers in two separate communities throughout the course of the program. During the program they engage in 32 valuable volunteer hours a week, learn how to manage a house, make lifelong friends, and gain confidence that they themselves can make an impactful difference in our country. This is a fully funded opportunity where participants’ travel expenses, living accommodations, food costs, and daily needs are covered. All they will need to bring is their dedication, empathy, and commitment to making a better world!

Some of the topics and skills that Participants will be challenged to learn about include:

• The history of Indigenous peoples in Canada and the importance of Truth and Reconciliation;
• The benefits and impact of civic engagement;
• Professional work skills in a variety of sectors, depending on volunteer placements;
• Cooking skills, house maintenance, and practical life skills;
• Conflict resolution, communication, and how to strive within a team environment;
• Environmental protection and sustainable development;
• English or French as an additional language;
• Leadership, advocacy, and project management skills;
• Canada’s cultural, geographic, and linguistic diversity.

Would you like to join a community that is helping individuals to leave poverty behind?

Led by YWCA Muskoka, Circles® Muskoka is a community collaborative committed to the reduction of poverty by harnessing the power of relationships. Circles® Muskoka helps families and individuals (Circle Leaders) living on lower income and in poverty by assisting them to increase their resources; reasons and relationships to move from surviving to thriving in their lives.

Benefits

Growing your professional network
Feeling like you are making a difference
A sense of meaning and purpose
Supporting others to reach their goals
Participating in personal development workshops
Strengthening your interpersonal and communication skills
Becoming part of a community and sharing a meal 3 evenings a month
Making new friends and having fun!

Responsibilities 

• Maintain confidentiality
• Be an active listener and offer support and encouragement when appropriate
• Provide encouragement towards meeting goals
• Build meaningful relationships with Leaders
• Share life experiences and advice when asked

Role requirements

• Attend at least one Circles meeting per month
• Pass a police background check
• Attend a Bridges out of Poverty’ workshop and Ally training session
• Being open to building friendships across economic lines

Teen Mentors commit to spending consistent weekly time with a child (mentee) being a friend, role model, and confident. Teen mentors meet one-to-one with an assigned mentee and participate in games, activities, crafts, conversation, and goal setting. Teen mentors listen to their mentees, provide support and guidance, help them to build communication and social skills, and develop a friendship based on trust, respect and fun. This is a partnership with BGC North Simcoe.

Volunteers can assist with a variety of activities and programs including:  

• Evening Bingo games
• Small Group Programs (cards, reading, knitting)
• Special events and Entertainment
• Special Interest Presentations
• Community Bus Outings  
• One to one friendly visits
• Hair dresser & In home Wellness appointments
• Spiritual Visits
• On call Palliative Visits 

• Participate in the operation of the shelter (shifts - evening, night, breakfast)
• Carry out the many tasks required for the seamless functioning of the shift/program.
• Interact with guests throughout the duration of the shift (unless it’s quiet/sleep hours).

Integral part of the women’s healing journey and helping survivors move forward to a safe, positive and healthy tomorrow. Topics to be considered (but are not limited to) are Finance and Budgeting, Goal Setting, Time Management, Meal Planning on a Budget, Stress Management, and Importance of a Healthy Work/Life Balance. You will be provided with an outline of guidelines. 
 
Working collaboratively with the Program Manager and Health & Wellness Coordinator, the Workshop Facilitator will work toward the following, as a volunteer: 

• Demonstrated experience required (paid or volunteer)  
• Various professional backgrounds are welcome 
• Have internet capabilities to deliver the workshop virtually through Zoom. 
• When developing workshops you will:  
  
  • have a heightened awareness and understanding that trauma comes in all forms  
  • Understand that we have all experienced trauma in some form 
  • Be sensitive to the fact that each person experiences trauma differently 
  • Avoid making assumptions about a person’s past experiences 
  • Always consider the ways in which race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, age, ability, education, language, geographic location, socio-economic status, etc reflect the information and dialogue throughout your presentation
   
• Deliver to a high standard, in often challenging circumstances, both ethically and professionally and are able to work collaboratively in a culturally diverse organization.  
• You will demonstrate a commitment to the organization’s mission and values

Youth Justice Committee's (YJC) bring together youth 12-17 who have been involved in the criminal justice system, their parent(s), and trained members of the community. In this role: 
* you would attend YJC meetings to determine appropriate and meaningful ways for the youth to make amends for their actions.  
* ensure that the youth is aware of the purpose of the meeting, and discuss police report information. 
* explore perspectives of all parties, including the youth and others represented at t he meeting, such as community members, community agency representatives, and the parent(s). 
* present and agree upon appropriate sanctions for the youth. 
* provide information and referrals to supportive community agency programs. 
* respect the confidentiality of the youth and other YJC members.

Volunteer Tax Preparers will help people in Grey Bruce to file their taxes. 

Grey Bruce Community Volunteer Income Tax Program provides volunteers in locations all across Grey and Bruce County.  Volunteers will be need to be matched (and affiliated) with a local CVITP community organization. 

Please find the locations for local Grey Bruce CVITP community organizations here: https://brucegrey.cioc.ca/record/GRE0364?Number=0 

Volunteers may have different roles as Tax Preparers depending on their level of skill and/or interest.  Volunteer tax preparer may volunteer at in-person or virtual clinics; or file individually online.  In some cases, individuals can work from their homes with a Coordinator who drops off and pickups paperwork for filing. 

For a detailed description of the job description go here: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/campaigns/cvitp-taxes-volunteers.html

Or you can speak directly with a local Grey Bruce CVITP community organization to learn more about the work. Each 

Volunteer tutors are needed to help adults to improve their reading, writing, math and digital skills. 
 
NOTE: We ask potential tutors to commit for one year so that they can come alongside a student for that length of time - once students make the decision to improve their skills, they need a tutor who is willing to work with them to increase not only their knowledge but their confidence and self esteem.