Newcomer Matching & Mentorship Volunteers
Description
Matching & Mentorship Program Volunteers share their knowledge and experiences with newcomers to help them learn about and integrate into their new community. Volunteers help connect newcomers with employment, education and social networks while sharing their experiences and knowledge of Canadian traditions, customs and culture. They will support newcomers in achieving their goals by practicing language skills; getting to know valuable resources in their community; learning useful daily tasks such as using public transportation; exploring employment and education opportunities; and being an available support system for newcomers by answering questions and addressing concerns about integrating into their new community.
We aim to connect volunteers who are established community members with newcomers based on the needs/goals of the newcomer; experiences of the volunteer; languages spoke; and, availability/proximity to one another within the City.
If you are interested in serving and supporting the newcomer community in the Ottawa area; are well established in the community; and have skills and experience that can benefit a newcomer this opportunity is for you!
Let our Matching Program Workers connect you with a newcomer as a ‘Match/Mentor’ by Applying to this position or contacting our Volunteer Program Lead via email at: [email protected]
SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS
Volunteers should possess the following:
• High degrees of cultural awareness and sensitivity, patience, open-mindedness;
• Well-established in the Ottawa community, including established networks/connections that
they are willing and able to share with newcomers (this is generally NOT a volunteer opportunity for newcomers);
• Solid understanding of employment, education and other trends or resources relevant to
newcomers;
• Able to connect with a newcomer on a regular (weekly) basis for a period of up to 6+ months based on needs.
How will this opportunity benefit the volunteer?
By volunteering in this role, volunteers will achieve:
• Enhanced experience working with culturally and ethnically diverse populations;
• Improved connections in community, especially cross-cultural connections;
• Results-based satisfaction from directly supporting newcomers and the newcomer community.
How will the organization benefit?
This role will benefit the organization by:
• Improving the integration process for newcomers and supporting newcomers in becoming valuable members of their new community;
• Building a more welcoming community in Ottawa, more willing to provide supports for newcomers regardless of their circumstances.
Volunteer location:
Catholic Centre for Immigrants
219 Argyle Avenue, Ottawa, ON K2P 2H4
Note: Volunteers will be able to meet independently with newcomers based on their location in the City.
Contact
2-3-weeks
Details
Volunteer Considerations
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