Volunteer Opportunities

If you are interested in volunteering or you would like to know more, please contact Becky Klokoff, Community Outreach Coordinator at 519.741.0190 ext. 303 or email bklokoff@eafwr.on.ca

Time Commitment: Tuesdays, 10:30-11:30am

Do you like animals and want to support someone else in a volunteer position?  We are looking for someone to support a woman in her volunteer job at the KW Humane Society. You role will be to assist with following KW Humane Society procedures specific to playing/visiting with the cats. A volunteer who is encouraging, friendly, and wants to help someone else volunteer in the community is exactly what we are looking for! Training will be provided.

Time Commitment: Wednesdays, 1:00-3:00pm and/or Fridays, 10:30-11:15am

If you like the pool than this volunteer opportunity is for you! We are looking for 1 or 2 volunteers to support a woman at the Waterloo Swimplex in the hot tub and/or to attend an AquaFit class at the Breithaupt Community Centre. Some assistance with dressing is required and support on the pool deck and entering/exiting the pool is essential. The volunteer will be required to participate in the AquaFit class and the hot tub. We are looking for someone who is friendly, caring, and supportive.

Time Commitment: Thursdays, 2 hours in the AM or PM

We are currently looking for a committed volunteer to support a woman in her volunteer job at Waterloo Generations Thrift Shop. The volunteer would provide support and encouragement while completing tasks associated with the position. Excellent social skills and motivation are key for this exciting opportunity. Access to a vehicle would be an asset but not necessary.

Time Commitment: Summer 2011, 1 week, 40 hours

Through July and August, EAF offers a Summer Program to young people with disabilities aged 13 and up. This consists of a day program which runs for 5 weeks in a Kitchener community location, and two, five-day vacations at Kimbercote Farm in Heathcote, Ontario in the Beaver Valley during August.

We are looking for committed students who would like to vacation alongside young people with special needs for one or two of the five-day vacations in the peaceful Beaver Valley during August. In addition, we are looking for volunteers to participate in our day camp program in Kitchener.  Both opportunities allow volunteers to make new friends, share in the day-to-day activities, and have masses of fun.

Time Committment: 2 hrs/weekly

2 volunteers needed to support two men in pursuing interests in their community. Tasks would include meeting the individuals at their home and supporting them in various community activities. This could range from attending dances or evening events to going for coffee, out for meals or even doing volunteer work. One of the gentlemen loves animals - especially horses. He'd enjoy visiting a farm or walking the volunteer's dog. The other one loves hockey and the Blue Jays. Going to watch sports, or playing catch at the park, would be great. As the volunteer, you would be encouraged to explore these or other fun activities that these men would enjoy. You have support from their Coordinator as well as the Family Home Providers, but we welcome creativity in planning. Volunteers should be open to, and comfortable, in finding creative ways to communicate without words.

Time Commitment: 2-4 hrs/monthly

We are looking for 2 'as needed' Volunteer Drivers for Extend-A-Family's Family Home program. Volunteer drivers can enhance the lives of others by providing opportunities for people to attend functions or appointments that they may otherwise miss. Volunteer drivers must be dependable, prompt and ensure the safety and well-being of the individuals while driving. Valid G class license and driver's abstract required. Volunteers must be comfortable supporting individuals with different abilities.

Time Commitment: 2.5 hrs/weekly

An Individual Goal Assistant would be available to help W.A.L.E.S. (Working Adults Learning Empowering Skills) participants work on a variety of goals in house. Goals include relationship and social skills, math and literacy, job skill practice and anger management. W.A.L.E.S. Facilitators will be available to offer guidance to the volunteers. 

 Time Commitment: Wednesdays, 9:30-11:30 a.m.

We are looking for a person who is available to support one of our participants from the W.A.L.E.S. Program at her craft group at the Adult Recreation Centre in Waterloo.  This unique opportunity to provide support in community is Wednesday mornings from 9:30-11:30am. 

Best Buddies Canada is a national charitable organization dedicated to enhancing our communities through one-to-one friendships between people with intellectual disabilities and students. Extend-A-Family currently hosts a Best Buddies Chapter at Wilfrid Laurier Univerisity where volunteer students are matched up with "buddies" for the purposes of friendship. Student Buddies and Buddies make contact with each other about one a week and one-to-one activities such as going for coffee, going to a movie, visiting each other, etc take place twice a month. In addition, the whole Chapter meets for group activities about 4 times per school year. Some of our activities have included bowling, a rollerskating party, a Christmas party, swimming, movie and games nights, playing pool, and hosting an Asian dinner.

If you are a Wilfrid Laurier student and are interested in volunteering for Best Buddies, please contact Matt Riehl at 741-0190, ext 300.