Volunteer and work opportunities

Board Members Wanted

GeriActors Theatre is seeking members of the community to join its Board of Directors. Board members will support GeriActors in effectively and efficiently executing its mission to engage seniors and intergenerational groups in theatre and performance-related activities, and to produce plays that are meaningful for its performers and audiences. Candidates should have a strong interest in theatrical arts and/or the seniors sector. To apply, send a one-page long statement of interest to Becca Barrington by August 30. Please review the full posting for additional details. Apply now! 

Volunteers Wanted: Living Before Dying Pilot Project

Alberta Health Services is seeking friendly volunteer Lay Leaders to help run their Better Choices, Better Health Chronic Disease Self-Management Program. The program is a 6-week workshop for people living with chronic health conditions and their caregivers. Workshops are held for 2.5 hours per week for 6 weeks.

Host Families Wanted

University of Alberta, English Language School

Open your home to international students this summer and enjoy a cross-cultural exchange that will provide lasting memories for your family.

The English Language School at the University of Alberta welcomes groups of students from international universities during the summer. The groups will arrive at various times between June and September. The students will stay with a host family from one week up to a month.

Our students are at least 18 years old and will be using public transportation to get to campus. Students will attend class Monday to Friday.

We provide host families with an honorarium of $850 per month or $28 per night.

For more information on becoming a host family this summer, please contact Trudy Stevens, at trudy.stevens@ualberta.ca or by phone at 780-492-0071.

Go-Out Study

The University of Alberta is seeking volunteers age 65+ for a study to evaluate and compare two different programs designed to help older adults walk outside more easily. Participants will:

• Attend a 5-hour interactive workshop with lunch tentatively scheduled for June 8 and June 15.
• Receive a step-counter and $15 gift card after each of three follow-up sessions
• Be part of a 10-week outdoor walking program OR a 10-week phone education program related to outdoor walking
• Contribute to the understanding of the health benefits of walking outdoors

If you would like to participate or receive more information, contact Dr. Allyson Jones at GOOUT@ualberta.ca or 780-492-1610.

TELUS World of Science – Edmonton: Summer 2019 Volunteer Opportunities

Your Experience Could Open a Door to Discovery! Share your expertise and love of working with people to help others discover the world and beyond in a fun and interactive environment.  A variety of unique opportunities await you in educational or ambassador roles as a volunteer staff member at TELUS World of Science.

Educational Positions: Gallery Interpreter, Science Garage Workshop Assistant, Nature Exchange Interpreter, Assistant Observatory Attendant, and Birthday Party Assistant

Summer Camp Positions: Assistant Camp Leader

Guest Services Hosting and Ambassador Positions: Hospitality Host

For more information visit the TELUS World of Science – Edmonton volunteer web page or contact Volunteer Resources at 780-452-9100 or by email at vr@twose.ca.

Volunteer drivers and bus drivers

St. Albert Seniors Association

Without drivers, many seniors are unable to make important appointments or face challenges with daily shopping.

Volunteer drivers provide a valuable service by driving seniors from St. Albert to Edmonton for medical appointments.

Volunteer bus drivers take seniors around St. Albert in an 18-seat passenger bus for appointments, errands, and to the centre for programs and activities. Shifts are Monday to Friday, daytime hours and 1 to 2 shifts per week. A class 4 license is required.

Contact SASAVolunteers@StAlbertseniors.ca to find out how to become a driver.

Welcome Liaison

University of Alberta Hospital

Do you enjoy helping others? Like walking and standing?

Be a super hero and volunteer to greet and help others find their way. The University of Alberta Hospital is looking for Welcome Liaisons to join their team.

Applicants must be available for weekday shifts between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Apply online and/or contact Yvonne at 780-407-6544, or by email at yvonne.scherban@ahs.ca for more information.

Financial Literacy Presenters

Seniors Financial Empowerment Network (SFEN)

For Seniors By Seniors is a project aimed to train senior volunteers to become financial literacy presenters to seniors groups in the Alberta Capital Region.

Senior volunteers will complete a one-day training to develop facilitation skills, expand their knowledge in financial literacy, and access a facilitation guide to deliver seven standalone modules. The training will be held May 22, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.  at United Way (15132 Stony Plain Road).

SFEN trainers commit to deliver at least four SFEN presentations within 10 months of receiving certification.

To become a trainer, complete the volunteer application and email it to Eric Storey at SeniorsEmpowerment@gmail.com.

If you have any questions regarding this project contact Sarah Ramsey, Senior Protection Partnership at 780-722-6701 or sarah.ramsey@edmonton.ca.

Respiratory Research Participants

The Boliek Speech Research Laboratory at the University of Alberta is looking for research participants. They are studying how two weeks of respiratory muscle training can improve how your breathing muscles work and how this exercise impacts breathing and speaking abilities.

They are looking for healthy adults ages 60 to 80 years who are native speakers of English. The study involves coming to the lab for two 2-hour sessions and completing two weeks of at-home training sessions in between. Contact Alesha at cblab@ualberta.ca or 780-492-7256 for more information.

University of Alberta Accessibility Study

The University of Alberta Students' Union is seeking participants in a study to talk about their experience navigating any of the University of Alberta campuses. They would like to know how the University of Alberta campus can become more accessible and offer the same choice in the environment for all users.

Students, staff, instructors, community members, and visitors are welcome to participate. This study will seek to:

• Inform researchers how everyone can have equitable opportunity to access and participation on campus
• Inform researchers of the accessibility barriers and how they can be prevented and removed, and, assist us in following up with individuals who face accessibility barriers on campus

Participants can partake in casual one-on-one interviews, a walk-around of campus or an online survey (survey available until April 10). Review the participant information sheet and contact Cooper Csorba at cooper.csorba@su.ualberta.ca or 780-224-0655 for more information.

Baker and Crafty Volunteers

Good Samaritan Southgate Care Centre and Good Samaritan Mill Woods Care Centre

The Extended Hands has approximately 14 members who volunteer in many areas of the Southgate Care Centre. Extended Hands meet every first Tuesday of the month (except July and August) at 1 p.m., at the Home.

The Extended Hands needs help with fundraising projects throughout the year such as gift shop, silent auctions, bake sales/craft sale and pie making. All proceeds from Extended Hands fundraising go directly to residence comfort.

If you are interested in participating, contact Alan MacKenzie at amackenzie@gss.org or 780-431-3825.

Mill Woods Seniors Association Volunteers

Mill Woods Seniors Association has many different positions available including Front Desk help, Kitchen Cashier, Program Assistant, Committee Member. Call the Volunteer Coordinator at 780-508-9359 for more information.

Volunteers needed for design research on health-smart homes

The aim of this study is to design efficient health-smart homes, which are more user-friendly for older adults and will help them in future to live more independently in their home. For this purpose, the University of Alberta researcher needs to understand your needs, problems and barriers with the home environment and technological devices.

The study is seeking individuals between ages 60 and 75. Participants will be asked to be interviewed, take photos, and participate in a workshop. Review the information letter for more details.

If you are interested in participating, contact Azadeh Mokhberi at 780-919-6829 or mokhberi@ualberta.ca.

Evening Delivery Shifts

Edmonton Meals on Wheels

If you can spare some time between 4 and 7 p.m. on weekday evenings, Meals on Wheels could use your help picking up frozen meals as well as groceries from the office in Oliver. It is a great way to get involved and help deliver food to those who need it. If you’re interested, visit www.mealsonwheelsedmonton.org or call 780-429-2020.

Feeding Volunteers

St. Michael’s Long Term Care Centre (7404 139 Avenue)

Volunteers are urgently needed to assist residents who are not able to feed themselves during meal times. Training on how to feed residents is provided. No experience is necessary. Assistance is required from:

• 8:30 – 10 a.m. (Breakfast)
• 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. (Lunch)
• 4:30 – 6 p.m. (Dinner)

Call 780-472-4534 or apply online at smhg.ca.

Photographer

In our visual-driven world, photos are essential to illustrate the work organizations do. The Edmonton Seniors Coordinating Council (ESCC) is seeking a volunteer photographer to take photos at ESCC events, meetings, forums, presentations, etc. The photos will be used on the ESCC website, annual report, and other promotional material.

Requirements: The volunteer must own a camera that can produce high-resolution (300 dpi) photographs.

Time commitment: The commitments occur primarily Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. but 2-3 Saturdays are required.

If you’re interested, contact Janelle Beblow, ESCC Communications Coordinator, at 780-423-5635 ext. 1 or memberservices@seniorscouncil.net.

Intergenerational Mentoring Program

Boys & Girls Clubs Big Brothers Big Sisters of Edmonton & Area

Share your experience - Become A Mentor

The Boys & Girls Clubs Big Brothers Big Sisters of Edmonton & Area is offering a rewarding group activity. If your seniors residence, seniors centre or other facility has a minimum of 10 Mentors interested in participating in intergenerational mentoring, they will bring children from a local school to your location.

• Who are the Mentees: Elementary school aged children who could benefit from the support of a mentor
• Who are the Mentors: Anyone who would like to spend time with a young person to help them achieve success through fun and friendship
• Commitment: One hour per week or bi-weekly for the duration of a school year
• Application process: interview (30 mins on average); references (2); security checks and training

If you believe your residence, centre, or facility would be interested, contact Talia at 780-822-2503 or talia.shewchuckmagat@bgcbigs.ca.

Abbott School Tales and Talents Program

Abbott School (12045 34 Street) serves elementary school children in Edmonton’s northeast. Many of the Abbott students have experienced significant and toxic stress which has a negative impact on growth and development. This program, supported by Sage, helps improve the “Executive Functions” of the young brain and provides opportunities to learn to be flexible; to use working memory; to plan and organize; and to stop and think before acting. Senior volunteers both encourage and model these behaviours with in-class support from the school mental health nurse.

Volunteer Commitment: 

• Wednesday afternoons from 12:45 to 3 p.m. during the school year
• While an on-going commitment is appreciated, a “drop-in when you can” model is also offered

Qualifications:

• Desire to work with children
• Ability to get to and from the school

Benefits:

• Opportunity to work with young children who really enjoy the program
• Experiencing the joy of really making a difference in young lives
• Training opportunities to learn new skills
• Opportunity to socialize with a great group of volunteers
• Coffee and treats

For more information or an opportunity to visit the program contact Ron Nichol at 780 465-2368 or ronnichol@shaw.ca.

Volunteer Drivers

Drive Happiness Seniors Association

Looking to volunteer? Want to make your own schedule? Why not help us Drive Happiness? For 20 years, Drive Happiness has provided assisted transportation services to seniors by pairing them with volunteer drivers. There is no minimum time commitment and our volunteers can choose their own rides. Make a difference in a senior's life - volunteer for Drive Happiness today. Call 780-424-5438 or go online at drivehappiness.ca/volunteer.

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