VOLUNTEERS NEWSLETTERGreetings, dear volunteers,

Welcome to the first edition of the "CNIB volunteers newsletter". Here you will find various sections such as : Our current volunteering needs, What's happening at CNIB, a "did you know" section and a feature article about one of you. The chosen person to be featured will be determined by random draw. In other words this newsletter aims to highlight the difference you are making as volunteers and to keep you up to date about what's happening at CNIB.

We strongly believe that word of mouth is on of the best ways of reaching new volunteers. We count on you to enable us to extend our wonderful teem.If you have any suggestions about topics or activities please let us know. Happy reading !

November 16th 2016

Volunteering needsVision MateA growing number of our clients would like to benefit from the presence of a volunteer to engage in social activities, take walks, go shopping, read, etc. If you know anyone who might be willing to brake the isolation of one of our clients and help increase his or her autonomy by donating time on a weekly or just on an occasional bases don't hesitate to refer them to us.

MascotWe are looking for a volunteer to wear our Carrot costume, the mascot of our organization at special events. Ideal weight and hight is between 5 feet 10 inches and 6 feet 2 inches, from 170 to 200 pounds approximatively. Desirable attributes: Energy, enthusiasm and an outgoing personality.

Volunteer pool for special CNIB eventsEvery year the CNIB Quebec teem organizes several major events such as : fund raisers, disability awareness workshops, information sessions and more. During such days of major importance for our organization we often require help from our volunteers. We invite you to submit your name to be included in our volunteers pool for special events.

Photographers Just as for the special events we're gathering names for persons interested in this field.

Graphic design Occasionally we need creative persons that are familiar with image processing software to help us produce communication tools such as web banners, posters and flyers.

Philanthropy

The CNIB is looking for persons wishing to raise general awareness about vision loss, with experience in customer service and are bilingual to assist the general director with donor fidelity, researching health care organizations etc. If you are available for a few hours a week don't wait, contact us to apply.

If you are interested in any of these offers contact us by email at:stéphanie.michaud@inca.ca or by phone at: 514 934-4622 p.226

Did you know ?The employment rate among Canadians who are blind or partially sighted is strikingly low: 38 % versus 73 % for people without a disability. Further, approximately half of Canadians who are blind or partially sighted have a low income, making $20,000 a year or less.

Find out more at CNIB's employability campaign of #CNIBEmployAbility : www.cnib.ca/EmployAbility Help us fight against negative preconceptions by sharing this information in your network.

What's happening at the CNIBCHRISTMAS FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN

Visit www.perfection.ca/en/inca-quebec-26402 to discover great holiday gift ideas: wrapping paper, chocolate, kitchen articles, books, gourmet products and much more. More than 40% of the cost of your purchase will go to CNIB and will contribute to financing our services. Online orders will be accepted until November 27. To avoid delivery charges, you may have your order delivered to CNIB office and pick it up yourself. Your order will be delivered to the CNIB office during the week of December 19, just in time for Christmas. Enjoy your shopping and thank you for sharing with family, friends and colleagues!

SERVICES OFFER THIS FALL

CNIB Quebec has always striven to offer high quality services to its clients. To fully meet their needs the whole teem of employees and volunteers alike, are contributing their best. Here are the services offered this fall:

Psychosocial services Support groups

Moderated by a counselling specialist, this support group aims to help persons with recent vision loss acclimatize themselves to their new reality.

Support group for caregivers helping people with visual disabilities to assist them in better fulfilling their role, in better coping with their own emotions and to give them tips.

Peer support group to counter the isolation of people living with vision loss. During meetings various subjects chosen by the participants are being discussed, moderated by a volunteer.

Adaptive technology training This fall our specialist in adaptive technology offered several types of courses to our clients : From topics about windows operating system to workshops

about the iPhone and the use of Word and Excel with screen readers or screen magnification. More than 50 persons have been able to receive training customized to their specific needs and can now use new technological needs in their everyday life.

Vision MateOur program vision mate helps persons feeling isolated due to their vision loss by pairing them to a volunteer. The objective is to facilitate their autonomy by offering individual assistance through four main activities:Reading and answering mail, sharing a coffee or tee at the clients home (sociable chat), accompanying the client to go to a store or pharmacy, accompanying the client to community or social activities around their neighbourhood.

All these services will be offer this winter.

Our feature volunteer Antonina has volunteered at CNIB for 7 years. After participating in peer support groups, she decided to get involved in accompanying new clients by becoming a moderator. These volunteering years have given her a mutual aid network, moral support and the satisfaction of helping others in need. Antonina tells us that she has received great services from CNIB and that she is proud to share her knowledge with new clients living with vision loss. A thousand thanks, Antonina, for your generous dedication your smile and your empathy. You are an example for all of us.

Thanks for your generosity, for supporting our cause, for talking about us in your network and for helping us come to the aid of an

increasing number of clients.

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www.cnib.ca/en/quebec

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