Volunteer Descriptions

For providing clarity of the volunteer roles, their purpose, general responsibilities and to better identify

potential candidates for those roles.

POSITION: KITCHEN ASSISTANTWHY: YWCA is passionate about empowering women and families by

providing safe, supportive housing and programs which create opportunity for all women to reach their full potential.

HOW: To fuel our clients’ success, YWCA is committed to providing nutritious and delicious meals to its residents. Staff and volunteers work together to serve regular, balanced meals for the St. Catharines, Niagara Falls and Men’s shelters. Residents receive three meals and a snack daily. In 2015, we provided 59,835 meals.

WHAT: Kitchen Assistants help prepare meals, i.e. peeling, cutting, cooking; maintain health regulations/standards while working in kitchen; clean up kitchen and dining room before and after meals; assist in cleaning up dishes after each meal; assist in tidying and mopping floors; assist in helping move donations when required and garbage removal.

WHO: You are a compassionate and self-motivated individual who enjoys working on a team and with staff supervisor present. You want to spend your spare time on your feet and not sitting behind a desk. You appreciate direction and on the job training. You may be interested in developing teamwork, communication & cooking skills. You are detail oriented, regularly take initiative and would like to make a meaningful positive impact at YWCA.

WHERE: This opportunity is available at YW’s Niagara Falls location at 6135 Culp St. and the St. Catharines location at 183 King St.

WHEN: Schedule a regular weekly or bi-weekly shift, call to come in when free, or help with special occasion and holiday meals. Volunteer from 3 hours/week to 3hours/every few months.The kitchen is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Sunday to Saturday.

COMTMNT: We recommend this position for those who are interested in a 4 month to long term volunteer tenure.

POSITION: FRONT DESK VOLUNTEERWHY: YWCA is passionate about empowering women and families by

providing safe, supportive housing, and programs which create opportunity for all women to reach their full potential.

HOW: To ensure our guests receive the best service we can offer, we welcome them into a safe and supportive environment through excellent reception work. A welcoming smile from a knowledgeable volunteer greets all those who enter, be it current guest, new client, donor, sponsor, staff or friend.

WHAT: Front Desk Volunteers take phone calls and messages for guests and staff; refer inquiries and client concerns to the appropriate person; assist with clerical needs of staff; monitor lobby use; accept donations and program fee payments, ensure they are put in proper place and information is recorded properly.

WHO: You are a kind and compassionate individual with a strong desire to be part of a solution for women in crisis. You are reliable, confident and would enjoy working as the first point of contact in a busy shelter. You enjoy a varied work environment with slow and busy periods. You are comfortable talking on the phone, handling money, processing donations, and working with a vulnerable population.You may be interested in developing administrative, communication, organization, or problem-solving skills, gaining a deeper understanding of poverty, supporting women, and/or becoming knowledgeable in the non-profit or social services field.

WHERE: This opportunity is available at YW’s St. Catharines location at 183 King St.WHEN: Schedule a regular weekly or bi-weekly shift, choose weekly as your

work/school allows, or come in when free. Volunteer from 3 hours/week to 3hours/month.Reception is staffed with volunteers from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday to Saturday.

COMTMNT: We recommend this position for those who are interested in a 6 month to long term volunteer tenure.

POSITION: GENERAL MAINTENANCE CREWWHY: YWCA is passionate about empowering women and families by

providing safe, supportive housing, and programs which create opportunity for all women to reach their full potential.

HOW: In a commitment to provide safe and supportive housing, YW staff and volunteers maintain the emergency shelters ensuring the environment is clean, tidy and in good repair.

WHAT: GMC is responsible for maintaining the grounds (indoor or outdoor) of YWCA Niagara Region. Indoor activities include sweeping, vacuuming, washing windows, walls, changing lightbulbs, wiping tables, painting and minor repairs. Outdoor activities include cutting the grass, raking leaves, shoveling snow, gardening, painting and minor repairs.

WHO: You are an energetic and good-hearted individual. You enjoy being active and working with your hands. You are looking for a way to give back to the community that you know will have a direct and positive impact. You appreciate seeing the fruits of your labour.You may be interested in developing property maintenance, mechanical, teamwork, communication or time management skills. You would enjoy an independent volunteer opportunity with hands-off supervision. Feel free to bring a friend or a team.

WHERE: This opportunity is available at YW’s Niagara Falls location at 6135 Culp St. and the St. Catharines location at 183 King St.

WHEN: Arrange a schedule that works for you, such as one morning/afternoon or one day once a week or once every two weeks or as needed.General Maintenance can occur at any time pre-arranged between volunteers and liaison that is mutually beneficial to volunteer and organization. A volunteer group (e.g. corporate volunteers) can arrange a day to come in and assist with a larger project such as painting rooms/units or patriating in a “spring cleanup.”

COMTMNT: We recommend this position for those who are interested in a 6 month to long term volunteer tenure. Also a great opportunity for group volunteering which can happen over 1-2 days at a time as a once-off or on an annual/semi-annual basis.

POSITION: FORT ERIE BINGO VOLUNTEERWHY: YWCA is passionate about empowering women and families by

providing safe, supportive housing, and programs which create opportunity for all women to reach their full potential.

HOW: YWCA earns funds from OLG’s charitable gaming in bingo halls such as Delta Bingo in Niagara Falls and Uncle Sam’s Delta Bingo in Fort Erie. Proceeds go to administrative and operational costs that allow YW to provide essential services to the community.

WHAT: FE Bingo Volunteers attend a 2-4 hour bingo session as representatives of YWCA Niagara Region. Volunteers are required to have basic knowledge of the organization, thank customers for supporting YW, assist customers with electronic gaming, wipe down tables and should enjoy quiet down time. For each 2h an individual volunteers, her charity earns approx. $150.

WHO: You want to make a difference in your community by helping raise funds for necessary community services. You enjoy supporting an organization that has a direct impact on poverty and homelessness in the Niagara Region. You appreciate meeting new people and interacting with a diverse population.You may be interested in developing customer service, communication, and monitoring skills. You would like to demonstrate your reliability, punctuality and dedication. You enjoy service orientation and that your support positively impacts funds for YW.

WHERE: This opportunity is available at Uncle Sam’s Delta Bingo in Fort Erie located at 427 Garrison Rd.

WHEN: Receive the monthly volunteer schedule in advance. Select the bingo sessions that work for you. It is suggested to participate in 2-4 bingo sessions a month as available. Examples of session times: Monday, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.; Wednesday 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.; Friday, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.; Saturday 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.; Sunday 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.

COMTMNT: We recommend this position for those who are interested in a one (1) year or long term volunteer commitment.

Volunteers receive a volunteer collared shirt embroidered with their name.

POSITION: NIAGARA FALLS BINGO VOLUNTEERWHY: YWCA is passionate about empowering women and families by

providing safe, supportive housing, and programs which create opportunity for all women to reach their full potential.

HOW: YWCA earns funds from OLG’s charitable gaming in bingo halls such as Delta Bingo in Niagara Falls and Uncle Sam’s Delta Bingo in Fort Erie. Proceeds go to administrative and operational costs that allow YW to provide essential services to the community.

WHAT: NF Bingo Volunteers attend a 2.5 hour bingo session as representatives of YWCA Niagara Region. Volunteers are required to have basic knowledge of the organization, thank customers for supporting YW, assist customers with electronic gaming, wipe down tables and should enjoy being on their feet. For each 2.5h an individual volunteers, her charity earns approx. $250.

WHO: You want to make a difference in your community by helping raise funds for necessary community services. You enjoy supporting an organization that has a direct impact on poverty and homelessness in the Niagara Region. You appreciate meeting new people and interacting with a diverse population.You may be interested in developing customer service, communication, and monitoring skills. You would like to demonstrate your reliability, punctuality and dedication. You enjoy service orientation and that your support positively impacts funds for YW.

WHERE: This opportunity is available at Delta Bingo in Niagara Falls located at 4735 Drummond Rd.

WHEN: Receive the schedule for the entire fiscal year in advance, and select the opportunities you can attend. Usual Session: 4th (and sometimes 5th) Friday(s) of the month, 3:00 – 5:3 0 p.m.

COMTMNT: We recommend this position for those who are interested in a one (1) year or long term volunteer commitment.Volunteers receive a volunteer collared shirt embroidered with their name.

POSITION: CVITP INCOME TAX VOLUNTEERWHY: YWCA is passionate about empowering women and families by

providing safe, supportive housing, and programs which create opportunity for all women to reach their full potential.

HOW: YWCA offers over 40 programs and services to its clients, empowering women to reach their full potential, including the volunteer-driven Canadian Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP). This program offers clients the opportunity to complete their income tax return(s) with the aid of a trained volunteer.

WHAT: CVITP Income Tax Volunteers are responsible for running tax clinics and processing YW client tax returns. Volunteers ensure that clients are able to stay on top of their taxes and take advantage of any refunds available to them. Training sessions run once a year in February/March before the start of the season.

WHO: You are a compassionate and tax-savvy individual looking to work directly with vulnerable individuals in need of assistance with tax preparation. You get satisfaction from building trust, relationships doing a good job.You may be interested in developing your financial/tax preparation, customer service, or social service skills. You would like to gain experience working in a shelter, preparing taxes, and/or empowering women. You value following proper procedures and maintaining strict confidentiality.

WHERE: This opportunity is available at YW’s Niagara Falls location at 6135 Culp St. and the St. Catharines location at 183 King St.

WHEN: Typically the tax clinics are held the fourth Thursday of each month in the afternoon or evening as volunteers are available. Tax clinics are held year-round and dates are added during tax season.Volunteers have the opportunity to increase availability as needed. Clinics depend on client interest.

COMTMNT: We recommend this position for those who are interested in a 2-month to 1-year or long term volunteer commitment.

POSITION: SPECIAL EVENTS VOLUNTEERWHY: YWCA is passionate about empowering women and families by

providing safe, supportive housing, and programs which create opportunity for all women to reach their full potential.

HOW: In order to achieve our mission, YWCA participates in a series of events throughout the year: info fairs, fundraisers, third party events, summits and more. These events raise awareness, educate the public, raise funds and/or empower women and girls. Staff, volunteers and other community supporters work together to plan and/or execute the event.

WHAT: Event volunteers stay informed about the opportunities that happen throughout the year. There are approximately 1 – 4 events each month; volunteers receive regular communication regarding opportunities and contact the volunteer coordinator to confirm attendance as available/interested.

WHO: You are passionate about the work the YWCA does. You enjoy seeing the impact of YW services in your community and would like to learn more about YW, homelessness, poverty and other systemic issues in the Niagara Region.You may be interested in developing your communication, teamwork, time management, customer service, event planning and/or networking skills. You appreciate a flexible volunteer experience that gives the opportunity to meet new people, have fun and develop/improve a variety skills and interests.

WHERE: This opportunity covers the Niagara Region, Fort Erie to Grimsby. WHEN: A variety of events are held throughout the year at a variety of dates

and times.Opportunities are promoted to the Special Event Volunteers and sometimes posted to the community via Social Media, etc.

COMTMNT: It is suggested that volunteers attend 1-2 events per year as a minimum. Volunteers can enjoy staying current with YW news and promote events even when not participating.

POSITION: DELIVERY (PICK-UP) VOLUNTEERWHY: YWCA is passionate about empowering women and families by

providing safe, supportive housing, and programs which create opportunity for all women to reach their full potential.

HOW: YWCA has the privilege of collecting donations throughout the year from a variety of generous businesses, organizations, events and individuals. We rely on essential donations of goods, services and funds in order to house, feed, support and empower women to be successful.

WHAT: Delivery volunteers are responsible for picking up donations in the community including food, clothing, donation bins and occasionally furniture/appliances. Volunteers are also needed for transporting daily meals from YW’s Culp St. shelter to our Men’s shelter.

WHO: You want to make a difference in your community by providing a needed service to a worthy organization. You enjoy an unsupervised and flexible volunteer role that allows you to donate time that fits your schedule. You appreciate meeting new people and interacting professionally as a representative of YWCA.You may be interested in demonstrating your reliability, dependability, and commitment. You take responsibility for yourself, follow direction, and would enjoy building or maintaining community relationships.

WHERE: This opportunity covers the Niagara Region, Fort Erie to Grimsby. Access to a vehicle is necessary. Majority of transportation is for St. Catharines, Niagara Falls and in between.

WHEN: Schedule a daily, weekly, or bi-weekly regular delivery that aligns with your schedule. Consider signing up for “on-call” opportunities which would be promoted as needed, Sunday to Saturday. (E.g. Christmas food drive donation bin(s) pickup)

COMTMNT: We recommend this position for those who are interested in a short term or long term, flexible volunteer commitment.

POSITION: YWCA NIAGARA REGION AMBASSADORSWHY: YWCA is passionate about empowering women and families by

providing safe, supportive housing, and programs which create opportunity for all women to reach their full potential.

HOW: In order to efficiently achieve our mission, YWCA recognizes the importance of community support and has created an outreach strategy. Ambassadors will act as an outreach committee to increase awareness for YW’s programs and services in the Niagara Region.

WHAT: The Ambassadors will work to identify, research and contact groups and organizations in the Niagara Region that might allow us to introduce the YW in form of a presentation, a booth or a “Lunch and Learn”. An introductory information session and training sessions are held twice a year in Aug/Sept and Feb/March.

WHO: You are passionate about the work the YWCA does. You can see the impact of YW services in your community. Perhaps you are a current volunteer, a staff person, a caring community member or even a past client. You are excited to provide facts and accurate information to the public via power point presentations, speaking events or info fairs.You may be interested in developing your public speaking, communication, and relationship-building skills. You take advantage of networking events, especially to bring people together to talk about the issues. You would appreciate gaining a deeper understanding of systemic poverty and how we can affect change.

WHERE: This opportunity covers the Niagara Region, Fort Erie to Grimsby. Access to a vehicle is an asset to the volunteer.

WHEN: Mandatory attendance at volunteer training and scheduled meetings (few times/year). It is suggested that each committee member attends 3-6 presentations a year.Presentations or info fairs could be held Sunday to Saturday at a variety of times. A Calendar of Events is created to track potential events and presentation including dates and times well in-advance.

COMTMNT: This volunteer position has a one (1) year minimum commitment.

POSITION: ASSISTANT VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR (Assistant VC)WHY: YWCA is passionate about empowering women and families by

providing safe, supportive housing and programs which create opportunity for all women to reach their full potential.

HOW: YWCA relies on the generous donation of time and hard work from community volunteers. Volunteers help empower women and families by participating in each area of our organization to support staff and clients alike. Whether volunteers are preparing meals, helping clients complete income taxes, or helping staff/committees plan events, they play an integral role in both our day-to-day functioning and our success.

WHAT: A Volunteer Coordinator is responsible for the recruiting, screening, evaluation and appreciation of the volunteers in the organization. With over 200 volunteers supporting YWCA each year, it’s a busy job! The Assistant VC is responsible for supporting the Volunteer Coordinator by helping complete tasks such as logging monthly volunteer hours, entering new volunteers into Charity Republic software, collecting reports from Volunteer Supervisors, helping put together volunteer communications (including newsletters and event opportunities), creating supplier lists, updating Outlook contact lists, writing thank you letters, and assisting with event planning.

WHO: You are an ambitious and self-motivated individual who is looking for office or work experience related to the non-profit industry. You are attentive to detail and do not mind repetitive tasks. You get satisfaction from completing a project well, often going above and beyond expectations. You take initiative to find work to do or ask for a new task when you finish one. You have some experience writing, developing content and/or planning events. You may be interested in further developing your communication and teamwork skills. You may also be interested in gaining experience in a leadership role. You are detail oriented, regularly take initiative and would like to make a meaningful positive impact at YWCA.

WHERE: This opportunity is available at YW’s St. Catharines location at 183 King St.

WHEN: 2 to 8 hours a week, workload depending.

COMTMNT: We recommend this position for someone interested in a minimum 4 month volunteer tenure. Option to continue long term.

POSITION: GRATITUDE ASSISTANTWHY: YWCA is passionate about empowering women and families by

providing safe, supportive housing, and programs which create opportunity for all women to reach their full potential.

HOW: YWCA would not be able to do the work it does without the generosity of its donors, both in-kind and financial. Over the course of each year, hundreds of people donate food, clothing, personal items, and money to YWCA. They donate because they understand the importance and value of the work we do and they want to do what they can to help empower the people we serve. We steward that relationship so donors truly understand the life-changing impact their generosity has.

WHAT: Gratitude Assistants make phone calls during our annual Thanksgiving Gratitude Campaign and on a weekly or bi-weekly basis throughout the year. Volunteers are provided with a script and will speak to or leave messages for donors to thank them for their generosity and express our gratitude for their support of our work. When speaking with a donor, a Gratitude Assistant will also make some notes about the conversation and ensure that follow-up tasks are provided to the Resource Development Coordinator.

WHO: You are passionate about the work the YWCA does, and you have seen the impact of YW services in your community. You are reliable, confident and enjoy speaking to people on the telephone. You understand the importance of fundraising for the work we do at YWCA and want to help ensure our donors feel appreciated. You may be interested in developing administrative, communication, and organization skills. You appreciate a flexible volunteer experience that gives you the opportunity to meet new people, have fun and make people feel valued for their contributions.

WHERE: This opportunity is available at YW’s St. Catharines location at 183 King St.

WHEN: Schedule a regular weekly or bi-weekly shift as your work/school allows. Thanking our donors will generally take place between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.The annual Thanksgiving Gratitude Campaign will require a number of volunteers every day for two weeks (one week before and after Thanksgiving).

COMTMNT: We recommend this position for those who are interested in a 3-month to long-term volunteer tenure.

POSITION: BLOG COMMITTEE MEMBERWHY: YWCA is passionate about empowering women and families by

providing safe, supportive housing, and programs which create opportunity for all women to reach their full potential.

HOW: YWCA engages community members who enjoy speaking about issues and topics relevant to the work YWCA Niagara Region does. We cover topics related to poverty and homeless, feminism and gendered issues, housing, health, and so much more. The YWCA blog is a platform to speak not only to the work we do, but about the greater issues that affect women reaching their full potential to create awareness in the community.

WHAT: Blog Committee Members attend a monthly meeting at YWCA to discuss relevant and current topics. We outline a theme for the coming month and enjoy a lively and spirited discussion in a safe and supportive environment. Most bloggers sign up for a post on a monthly or bi-monthly basis. We strive to publish a minimum of one blog post weekly, but we encourage all bloggers to sign up for a post each month.

WHO: You are passionate about the work the YWCA does, and you see the need for YW’s services in your community. You enjoy thinking critically and engaging in discussion about topics you’re passionate about (e.g. women’s health, poverty, leadership, giving/volunteering, survival, politics, etc.). You like to work independently or on a small team, and you take initiative to meet deadlines. You may be interested in developing written or oral communication skills, learning about current issues and events, or developing written pieces for a portfolio. You appreciate a flexible volunteer experience that gives you the opportunity to meet new people, engage in discussions that matter, and work independently to achieve your goal.

WHERE: This opportunity is available at YW’s St. Catharines location at 183 King St.

WHEN: This committee holds a monthly meeting, typically on the 3rd Monday of the month at 2 p.m.During the meeting or via email correspondence afterward, you can sign up to write a post. The deadline will fall within the following month.

COMTMNT: We recommend this position for those who are interested in a 6-month to long-term volunteer tenure.

POSITION: EMPLOYMENT WORKSHOP FACILITATOR (& BUILDER) WHY: YWCA is passionate about empowering women and families by

providing safe, supportive housing, and programs which create opportunity for all women to reach their full potential.

HOW: In addition to providing safe shelter and housing, we strive to prepare our clients with the skills they need to be self-sufficient, independent and successful in the community. Volunteers can play an essential role by delivering Volunteer Organized Clinics, such as the Employment Workshop. The volunteer delivery lets clients see the warmth & generosity of community members who are rooting for their success.

WHAT: Employment Workshop Facilitators work with a small team of volunteers to research and develop workshops based on a rotation of employment themes. One or two volunteers deliver a presentation or facilitate a workshop covering a topic on a monthly basis. Following the workshop, two to three volunteers engage clients with one on one consultations that could include reviewing workshop materials, editing resumes, reviewing cover letters, or advising on interview etiquette/practice. Volunteers may also monitor an email account that clients can reach out to for additional assistance.

WHO: You are a kind and compassionate individual with a strong desire to be part of a solution for women in crisis. You are reliable, confident and have experience editing resumes, writing cover letters, coaching, facilitating workshops, or working in Human Resources. You are comfortable working with a vulnerable population with patience, compassion and understanding.You may be interested in developing teamwork, planning, project development, and/or facilitation skills. You have a desire for hands-on experience in an organization that works with individuals living in poverty, experiencing homelessness, or transitioning to a self-sufficient lifestyle. You are knowledgeable or interested in becoming knowledgeable in the non-profit/social services field and the resources available to the clients we serve.

WHERE: This opportunity is available at YW’s St. Catharines location at 183 King St. with some workshops held at YW’s Niagara Falls location at 6135 Culp St.

WHEN: Attend a monthly planning meeting with volunteers in addition to one workshop evening monthly or bi-monthly (depending on number of volunteers participating). Some work outside meeting times is needed.

COMTMNT: We recommend this position for those who are interested in a 6 month to long term volunteer tenure. There may be an option to be a guest presenter at our workshops for a low-commitment role.