Volunteer
Interested in becoming a volunteer? Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region is always looking for people who are interested in community inclusion, having fun, and making friends.
What are some of the perks of volunteering at Extend-A-Family?
A variety of different opportunities that contribute to the mission of the organization from broad strategic governance and oversight on the Board, short term event based activities, to direct support personal connections to those supported.
The reciprocal benefits of providing meaningful service to your community. It feels great to serve, and in return you are providing vital support to people and families
Organizational Volunteering
Organizational Volunteer Opportunities are the most traditional form of volunteering. In these roles, volunteers support organizational events like our annual Walk-or-Wheel Fundraiser, or helping run other community events throughout the year. These event based opportunities are typically 2-4 hour needs at our events.
Our Board of Directors and Committees of the Board are also volunteer roles. The time commitment is more frequent with monthly meetings and potential for committee work to help guide the governance and direction of the organization as a whole. Board and Committee opportunities are posted on our Volunteer page every February/March.
Respite Volunteering
Respite Volunteering is another fun and unique role providing direct support to children, youth or adults supported by Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region. While these are volunteer roles, they do receive a non-taxable Cost Recovery for expenses associated with this role. Volunteering can be a day trip to a local attraction, an overnight stay together, or welcoming someone into your home as an overnight guest for an extended stay. The options are creative, interesting and provide amazing support to local families!
Supported Extended Experiences & Discoveries (SEEDs)
If adventure and events are your interest, we have a volunteer opportunity for you! In our SEEDs Program, we match a volunteer with someone we support, to plan and go on fun community adventures together. From single day daytrips, to weekend overnights in a hotel, SEEDS provides people we support the opportunity to explore so many things throughout Ontario to build memories and expand their experiences. Some locations of trips include Niagara Falls, Toronto, Ottawa, Windsor. Common activities are CN Tower, Ripley's Aquarium, Canada's Wonderland, and more! While this is a volunteer role, all of your expenses are covered. Your primary goal is to ensure the person you are with is safe and has a blast!
FamilyHome Respite - In Home
Do you enjoy having guests come stay for short visits? Do you like creative volunteer opportunities? If so, FamilyHome Respite is a great chance to do both! With FamilyHome Respite, we are seeking people and families who have a spare room in their home, to welcome an adult with a disability for a short stay. If you enjoy relaxed weekends around the home, that's respite! If you enjoy getting out and about and seeing friends and family, that's respite too! Respite is meant to fit into regular family life.
Apartment Respite
If the idea of Respite is interesting to you, but you don't have an extra room in your home, we've got you covered! In Apartment Respite, EAFWR will rent a short term apartment space for you to provide respite in. Volunteers and people supported often report "it's like a mini-vacation"! With all the similarities of FamilyHome Respite, the main difference here is the location.
If you are interested in one of our volunteer opportunities, please fill out our Volunteer Application Form.
Volunteer Application and Screening Process
- To apply online please click here.
- To apply in person please bring to our office your cover letter, resume and a filled out copy of the following Volunteer Application & Availability Form.
- If selected for an interview your will receive a call from the Recruitment and Volunteer Coordinator.
- Upon a successful interview, you will be invited to attend a Volunteer activation meeting. This meeting will be your orientation to Extend-A-Family. It is also the opportunity to show your dedication by submitting all required screening documents.
- You will be considered a hired and active volunteer, only after you have complied with all of the above steps and Volunteer Screening Requirements.
- Your references can submit their recommendation online through the Online Reference Inquiry Form or print and complete a hardcopy of the Volunteer Reference Inquiry.
If you would like more information about volunteering with Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region, please call Michelle Scala, Recruitment and Volunteer Coordinator at 519-741-0190 x 253 or email her at michelle.scala@eafwr.on.ca