Volunteer, Child - Toronto, Canada - VHA Home HealthCare

VHA Home HealthCare

Verified Company

Toronto, Canada

3 weeks ago

Posted by:

Sophia Lee

beBee Recruiter

Description

Volunteer, Child and Family,

Connected Families:
Parenting Support (Toronto)

Mental Health Support for parents; caring for children ages 0 to 4 years_

Founded in 1925, VHA is a not-for-profit, charitable organization made up of over 3,000 diverse professionals - nurses, personal support workers, rehab therapists, home support workers, extreme cleaners, and office support staff.

Together, we provide high quality care, with great heart, to vulnerable populations in the communities we serve.

This includes seniors, families, new parents, newborn babies, people with physical and mental disabilities, children with medically complex needs, and the terminally ill.

We provide service 24 hours a day, seven days a week to clients in their homes, in schools, in retirement homes and other locations in the community.

In every role and at every level, we lead with purpose, build bonds that matter, and we're passionate about providing spectacular care.

VHA Home HealthCare (VHA) believes that quality care begins with quality people. Our volunteers work directly with our clients and make a difference in people's lives every day. We're looking for volunteers who share and enhance VHA's values.

Role Description:
The

Connected Families:

Parenting Support Volunteer program provides temporary relief and support services to at risk families caring for children from birth to four years of age.

This program is committed to ensuring the health and wellness of mothers/families experiencing stress, isolation, and mental health concerns, such as Post-Partum Depression.

The relief service will enable moms to take a break from the demands of parenting and attend to their own needs.

Volunteers will interact and provide _simple comforts_ to children in such a way as to enhance children's capacity for successful development i.e.

stimulating gross/fine motor skills and enrich language skills.

AREA SERVED Toronto:
Scarborough, North York, East York, Downtown Toronto, Etobicoke, Midtown

RESPONSIBILTIES

Visit weekly on the same day / same time for three hours per week (weekdays only)
Engage in meaningful conversation with mom
Engage, supervise infants and toddlers (age 04 years)
Partner with mom to plan prepare healthy and nutritious meals for children
Provide information about community resources
Accompany mom and child(ren) to local community resources i.e. Early ON Center, Library, Community Center
Educate and inform mom about upcoming community events and activities
Introduce new learning activities to the children
Complete and submit weekly log for feedback
Attend training sessions (inperson and virtual)

TIME COMMITTMENT

3 hours plus travel time, and logs, Weekly
1 visit per week, Same Day/Time, Weekdays only 9am4pm.
Each assignment is 12 weeks in duration
Commitment 36 months.
Opportunities may be available to help more than one family during this timeframe, or beyond.

WORKING CONDITION
Conduct in-home family visits across the city of Toronto in priority neighbourhoods. Volunteers are matched with clients as close to their own neighbourhoods as possible with some flexibility required.

SKILL REQUIREMENT

Person

- centered and caring attitude

Must have related child development experience
Must have experience caring for both newborns and toddlers, personal or professional experience
Excellent oral and listening communication skills able to easily communicate and create understanding in 1:1, working relationship
Able to move around easily in small and crowded space
Experience and sensitive to working with culturally diverse families
Creativity in planning and implementing activities
Knowledge of community resources an asset
Knowledge of and experience with the mental health of individuals and families
Strong active listening skills and strong oral communication skills to support client in home and in community, along with children
Previous volunteer experience an asset
Second Language an asset

BENEFITS

Volunteers are supported through orientation, training, (online and in person) meetings, workshops, seminars.
Careerrelated experience
We provide an environment where volunteers are engaged, challenged & rewarded.
Opportunities to meet new people.
Develop social and professional networks.
Build on your communication, interpersonal and leadership skills.
Gain valuable work experience to build your resume.
Support your community.
Enhance clients' lives and deliver lifechanging supports and services.
Reference letter upon request following 100 hours of volunteer service.
Program Assistant or/Coordinator or/Supervisor will be available for feedback and support

ORIENTATION AND TRAINING