As December closes up and we move into January, many people will mark a new calendar year, reflecting on the past 365 days and welcoming the potential of new beginnings. It may be a time of large, boisterous celebrations or quiet, introspective time, or something in between. If you are taking stock of your life and contemplating new opportunities, we wanted to share opportunities that may spark something for you.
Volunteering is a fantastic way to make an impact in the community at large, while also filling your personal bucket with opportunities for personal growth, professional development, and social connection. Today we are sharing opportunities featured on the Volunteer Connector (}, our volunteer platform that is super user-friendly and accessible and that makes it easy to know what opportunities are available in the community and where you can apply right away.
Dress for Success currently is looking for mentors and have this to say about the role: As a mentor in our working women91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s group, your key focus is to provide a safe space and support to our clients who are navigating new journeys in their careers, a place where they can ask the questions on their mind without judgement and support them to find the answers for themselves as much as possible. Our primary focus is to build confidence, self-awareness and the ability to critically think about any situation as a route to solving problems as they arise. By teaching others, you learn about yourself and help a woman of our community thrive in work and life. As a mentor you are responsible for meeting with your mentee bi-weekly for 30-60 minutes over a 10-week period. Dress for Success is also looking for a volunteer Bookkeeper.
Vista Academy provides care to children with Autism and other special needs and are looking for volunteers to offer Respite Support. They offer inclusive and personal care empowering children's uniqueness and autonomy. During our Saturday respite sessions, children come to Vista for full-day sessions in a 3:1 learner-to-staff ratio where they provide continuous care supporting social and emotional learning in a 6-13 age range. All staff and volunteers are expected to help lead games and activities set up by the manager, and immerse themselves in child-led play using their imagination to bring themselves and their learners out of their shells! Qualifications for this position include an interest in child development and neurodivergent care and 20 hours of coursework related to child development, health, and safety, nutrition, or guidance (several humanities and Kin classes fit into these categories). Or complete the AIM (Autism Internet Modules) coursework at Vista. Vista is also looking for a volunteer photographer to capture the programs and to take student photos.
The Central Okanagan Food Bank (COFB) is a vital force in the fight against food insecurity, proudly serving as one of the largest food aid organization in British Columbia with two locations (Kelowna and West Kelowna). They are also accepting applications for volunteers for Monday-Wednesdays and Saturdays but especially require help on Thursdays and Fridays.
Examples of Volunteer Tasks include:
1. Market shopping: where you will build hampers and shop for our clients as well as help stock the area.
2. Dry sorting: Where you will go through donations for quality control and date checks.
3. General cleaning: All can lend a helping hand with general cleaning in all areas of the food bank.
4. Food Rescue: Sustainability initiative for client access to fresh produce. Includes quality control and hamper building. As well as restocking.
5. Restocking: Restocking areas in the market to ensure quick accessibility to client products.
Available shifts: Monday through Saturday.
Mornings: 8:30 a.m.-noon or 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
For these and other volunteer roles, check out the Volunteer Connector, or contact Wendy Williams, the Volunteer Centre Coordinator at wendyw@kcr.ca.
Dorothee Birker is the communications & development manager for KCR Community Resources.