Get involved > Volunteer > Volunteer opportunities
Current volunteer opportunities
Our list of current volunteer positions changes periodically according to the needs of our programs. In addition to the positions listed below, ocasionally we have group and corporate volunteer opportunities. If you have skills that could benefit one of FST programs, please let us know by e-mailing Mindy Khu, Coordinator, Volunteer Resources at: mindykh@familyservicetoronto.org
If you are a university or community college student looking for practicum please e-mail Eunice Chong at student-coordinator@familyservicetoronto.org.
Please note: FST is not an Ontario Works partner and does not sign forms for Ontario Works. To find out more about Ontario Works volunteer opportunities, call Volunteer Toronto at 416-961-6888 and/or check Volunteer Toronto's website at www.volunteertoronto.ca.
Human Resources Program Support Volunteer
Volunteer LGBTQ Community Counsellor
David Kelley Services Community Advisory Committee
Seniors' Advisory Council Member
Human Resources Program Support Volunteer
Program Summary:
Family Service Toronto’s Human Resources department provides a person oriented, high performance culture that seeks to create an environment which promotes service excellence, continuous improvement, learning, creativity, innovation and risk taking. The department oversees employee relations, performance management, health and safety, organizational development, policy administration, departmental development, and regulatory compliance as well as administering payroll, benefits and pensions.
Position Summary:
We are looking for an enthusiastic, detail-oriented individual with a Human Resources background to provide program support to the Human Resources Department.
Core responsibilities:
- Support Human Resources functions including recruitment, HRIS, record management, policy review and research.
- Provide administrative support in the provision of office services.
Experience and Skills:
- Diploma in human resources, business administration or equivalent education or experience working in an HR environment
- Knowledge of relevant Human Resources legislation, principles and practices
- Strong organizational and administrative skills
- Computer skills including Microsoft Office; familiarity with HRIS
- Good verbal and written communication skills
- Reliable
- Ability to work independently
- Please note: because the Volunteer will have access to personnel files, a Criminal Record Check is required.
Time commitment:
- Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., schedule to be arranged with supervisor
- A minimum commitment of 3 months, one day per week, is desired.
Training:
Training will be provided by the Director, Human Resources
Benefits:
- Gain office experience in a social service agency
- Reference letter upon successful completion of volunteer work
Volunteer LGBTQ Community Counsellor
Program Summary:
David Kelley Services provides culturally appropriate assessment, referral, case coordination, case advocacy and counselling service to clients who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer (LGBTQ).
Position Summary:
To provide culturally appropriate assessment, referral, case coordination, case advocacy and counselling service to clients who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer (LGBTQ).
Volunteer LGBTQ Community Counsellors are involved with and knowledgeable about the les/bi/gay/trans/queer communities in the Toronto area, the network of services available and will represent and promote the interests of clients and the service of FST and David Kelley Services.
Core Responsibilities:
- Assess the psycho-social needs of potential clients, formulate and implement a service plan based on this assessment
- Provide individual, couple and family, and possibly group work to LGBTQ identified clients and their families including persons living with or affected by HIV/AIDS
- Ensure the effective co-ordination of services to clients
- Provide referrals and advocate on behalf of clients as required
- Maintain client records in accordance with FST and program policy and procedures
- Collect statistics as required
- Maintain current knowledge of community resources and services
- Maintain a working knowledge of FST's policies and procedures and carry out responsibilities in accordance
- Required to observe professional ethics and conflict of interest guidelines at all times as outlined in agency policies, as outlined in the policies and practices of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.
- Must work within their area of practice and experience and declare any restrictions.
- Seek out and participate in regular supervision and consultation with staff, manager and peers
- Become familiar with and maintain the values and purposes of the Agency and David Kelley Services in the delivery of social work and volunteer services
- Bring appropriate concerns or conflicts to the attention of the Manager
Volunteers may also be involved in:
- Contributing to program planning and development of services in response to client needs
- Providing education within FST and/or the community
- Participating in and/or informing education and social action initiatives in the interests of LGBTQ individuals and their communities
- Participating in the selection and training of volunteers
Experience and Skills:
- Relevant post-secondary education & experience such as MSW or equivalent combination of education and experience
- Demonstrated counselling experience with diverse communities particularly with the lesbian/gay/bi/trans/queer communities and to persons living with and affected by HIV/AIDS
- Demonstrated experience working with a variety of counselling interventions including brief counselling / psychotherapy approaches
- Demonstrated involvement in and established credibility in the LGBTQ communities, such as demonstrated ability for public leadership.
- Knowledge and understanding of the culture and history of lesbians and gay men, bisexuals, transgender and queer identified individuals and of the issues affecting them and their communities. Comfortable being identified with these communities.
- Proven knowledge and understanding of the bio/psycho/social impact of HIV/AIDS on individuals and the gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans communities
- Demonstrated commitment to anti-racist and anti-oppression practice
- Demonstrated ability to work in a team and independently
Please note: because volunteers will be working with vulnerable individuals, a Criminal Record Check/Vulnerable Sector Search is required and volunteers with MSW RSW will undergo qualification verification.
Time commitment:
- Minimum of once a week for three hours; Monday or Wednesday evenings
- 1 year commitment (renewal of commitment on a yearly basis)
Training:
- Regular staff/peer/volunteer consultation and professional development provided.
Benefits:
- Increased counselling capacity
- Increased group work capacity
- Increased experience working with individuals of diverse ethno/racial backgrounds
- Contribution to building community capacity within the LGBTQ & HIV/AIDS communities
David Kelley Services Community Advisory Committee
If you are a member of Toronto's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer or HIV communities and are interested in becoming involved in the David Kelley Services Community Advisory Committee (CAC), we are interested in meeting with you.
Position summary:
The CAC assists in the recruitment and selection of staff and volunteers, develops and organizes community forums, assists with fund development for the programs and provides community input with respect to program issues related to the community.
Skills:
- Knowledge of the communities serviced by David Kelley Services
- Experience with event planning
- Fund development
- Understanding of social services and program delivery
Involvement in Committee work also offers the potential for involvement in other committee work within the agency. We believe that this is a perfect opportunity for those who may not yet be actively involved to contribute not only to the HIV/AIDS communities, but also to the LGBTQ communities in general
Time commitment:
- On average, three hours per month
Training:
- Volunteers will be provided with orientation
Please note: We welcome applications for this position, however they may not be processed for several months. Applications are reviewed by Community Advisory Council members and there are no meetings currently scheduled to do this review.
Seniors' Advisory Council Member
The Seniors Advisory Council (SAC) assists the Seniors and Caregivers Support Service Unit (SCSS) to improve the quality of life for seniors and those who care for seniors. SAC is actively involved in activities designed to educate the public and/or government on issues that affect seniors and caregivers, and provides feedback about the work of the SCSS Unit.
In 2004 , SAC received a grant to discover and share positive and negative aspects of aging from a senior's perspective. Some of the issues highlighted were life, emotional and family changes, discrimination, government services, accessibility issues, resources for seniors, cultural differences and public portrayal of seniors. Upon request SAC delivers interactive presentations to educate seniors and those who work with seniors about issues that matter most to them.
Position Summary:
We are looking for individuals who are seniors (age 55+) to join the SAC to share their expertise and life experience to enrich the work SAC does. (Please note that SAC is not a support group).
Core Responsibilities:
- Attend monthly and ad hoc meetings to become familiar with and provide input on issues addressed by SAC
- Advise on the work of the SCSS Unit
- Review of promotional materials
- Participate in public meetings on issues related to seniors and caregivers
- Participate in marketing and recruitment of SAC members
- Be an ambassador for Family Service Toronto
- SAC conducts educational presentations throughout the year. Volunteers are encouraged to assist.
Experience and Skills:
- Life experience dealing with issues of concern to seniors and/or their caregivers
Any of the additional talents would be an asset to SAC:
- Computer skills
- Public speaking skills
- Previous committee work
- Technical skills to assist with set-up of presentation materials (e.g. PowerPoint projector) qualification
- Second language
Time Commitment:
Monthly meetings take place on the third Tuesday of each month from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 355 Church St. (Church and Gerrard)
Ad hoc meetings may take place throughout the year
SAC members are asked to make a one year commitment
Benefits:
- An opportunity to network with individuals who share concerns about issues that affect seniors and their caregivers
- Enhanced knowledge about issues that affect seniors and their caregivers
- An opportunity to use life experience, skills and knowledge to improve the quality of life of seniors and their caregivers
Please note: Membership on the Council is restricted to individuals. Organizations interested in the work SAC does are encouraged to ask their members to join, but these people will participate and vote as individual members, independent of their affiliation with any other organization.
FST is wheelchair accessible
Other resources we would recommend:
The Volunteer Centre of Toronto: www.volunteertoronto.ca
FST encourages applications from candidates whose backgrounds are diverse in terms of culture, race, language, religion, class, gender/sexual orientation and ability.
