Here at ASSIST, we believe in providing an opportunity and a stage for volunteers to learn and grow, and to develop their own skills. Volunteers’ unique talents, skills, and time will help many newcomers better adjust to their lives in Canada so that they can give back to the community. None of our programs or services would be possible without the work of volunteers.

We thank you for your time and commitment to serving others, and welcome you to the ASSIST family!

Volunteer Recognition & Appreciation

We value our volunteers and every individual is recognized for their outstanding contribution to ASSIST.
To appreciate our volunteers, an annual volunteer appreciation event is held every February. Ten volunteers are nominated every year for their outstanding volunteer services. Other recognition activities and social events are planned periodically throughout the year.

Criteria for Outstanding Volunteers

• Active volunteer
• 100 volunteer hours contributed
• Committed, reliable, & performed well
• Nominated by the program

2023 Outstanding Volunteer Award

Upon request, ASSIST will provide a reference letter after 30 hours of service. Generally, we advise you to request a reference letter within two years of finishing your volunteer service at ASSIST.

Volunteer With Us

Requirements

There are a few different things you need to know/do before you can start volunteering with ASSIST!

All volunteers must be at least 15 years old, and able to commit at least 30 hours of volunteer services (excluding one-time event volunteers).

Checklist:

• Complete a volunteer application form (adult & youth) present at the bottom of the page.
• Attend an interview with the Volunteer Coordinator/Volunteer Program Assistant
• Sign the appropriate waivers and contracts, found in the Forms section

• Undergo a police information record check. If volunteers are working with children, youth or family services, volunteers must also undergo an intervention record check. The cost for a police information check is $15.00 and this is initially at the volunteers’ expense. After successful completion of 15 volunteer hours, this $15 will be reimbursed to the volunteer. (* The fees of volunteers’ police information checks for the Youth Program, Summer Camp, and Family Literacy and Adult Learning Program are waived.)
• ASSIST will accept police information checks and intervention checks from other organizations provided that they have been obtained within the last 6 months.
• Existing volunteers must renew their police information checks every 5 years and renew their intervention record checks every 3 years.

Orientation & Training

Once all interviews and paperwork have been completed, new volunteers are expected to attend a mandatory 2-hour ASSIST orientation within 3 months of the interview. We provide this ASSIST orientation once a month on a Saturday afternoon for our new volunteers. Volunteers will also be given additional training, based on the role that they perform. For example, this may include training on working with minors or safeguarding confidential information.

Volunteers are responsible for following instructions and for seeking clarification if they are not understood. Volunteers’ participation in the orientation and training will provide our volunteers with the best possible volunteer experience and guarantee the quality of services to our clients.

Volunteer Opportunities

LINC Teacher Assistant Volunteer

• Monday to Friday (two days a week preferred)
• 9 am – 12 pm
• Location: 810 Saddleback Road (LINC building)

Position Summary

Assist with the operations of the Language Instruction for Newcomers program.

Responsibilities

• Assist with lessons/activities
• Assist students individually and in small groups
• Assist teacher and students during computer classes
• Assist teacher with material preparation for lessons/activities

Skills/Competencies Required

• Language requirements – English
• Ability to work independently and as part of a small team
• Accepting of diversity
• Classroom setting experience
• Outgoing and able to comfortably engage groups in conversation
• Professionalism (includes reliability and punctuality)
• Respectful attitude
• Strong interpersonal communication

Supporting Daycare Staff (Volunteer Position)

Location: 820 Saddleback Rd, Edmonton, AB, T6J 4W4 

Any 2 days per week, 9 am – 12:30 pm (3.5 hours/ weekly)

LINC is an English language training program funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)/Government of Canada for adult immigrants and refugees. It is free for students and helps newcomers learn practical, useful English for life in Canada.

The CNC Child Care supports LINC students in full-time classes.

Duties:

– Participating and supporting the Early Childcare Educators

– Preparing materials or crafts – Supporting supervision when the Educators take the children outside to play

– Support cleaning the craft areas after the activities

– Sometimes, it might be helping the Educators during the children’s lunchtime or supporting the supervision of children during a fire drill.

It’s an asset if you have a level 1, 2, or 3 in Early Childhood Education.

“We currently don’t have any other openings for volunteer positions, at present. Please check back for updates again.”

We encourage and support our volunteers to develop their skills while volunteering with ASSIST. Whether you take on various volunteer roles or participate in a one-time event, we hope you will find your volunteer experience with us rewarding and beneficial to you both personally and professionally.