What Volunteer Opportunities Does Kinark-Peterborough Offer You?

Thank you for your interest in learning more about volunteering in Peterborough city and county. We take pride in the support and training we offer our volunteers. Volunteers find their lives enriched and Kinark families and staff greatly appreciate our volunteers.

We Match Respite Volunteers with Clients

All types of Kinark clients have been matched with respite volunteers --  from children in residence to children receiving brief therapy. Our clients may have attention difficulties, be withdrawn, sad or lonely.  They may have difficulty making friends, or experiencing differences with their parents.          

Having a mentor brings out the best in children.  What matters to the children is that there is a caring volunteer in their lives.  They have someone to confide in and look up to.  As a result of the match, the child may get along better with their family and peers.  With their mentor’s positive influence, they are more likely to avoid violence and substance abuse as they age.  Ten year old John expressed these thoughts when he said, “Mike has taught me that there are a lot of caring people in this world, especially when you need them.  I’m so proud to have a friend like Mike.  He’s always there for me even when he had his four wisdom teeth pulled.”

We have matched children of nuclear families, single parents, foster parents, grandparents and even a great grandparent.  In all cases this gives the caregiver a chance to take a break, recharge their batteries, spend time with other siblings or pursue their own interests.  As one parent said, “It was a blessing.  I was going through hell.”   Parents want to do their best for their children, respite helps them be better parents.

We have two types of respite volunteer opportunities to choose from:

  • As a Special Friend you will provide relief for a family and mentoring for a child or teen by taking them on outings, being there to listen, having fun and offering affection and encouragement.  Our matching process considers your interests, hobbies, lifestyle and matching preferences.You will receive ongoing support from our professional staff as well as reimbursement for expenses. Spending a few hours with a child can include going to the movies, taking a hike, baking a favorite treat or shooting hoops – things you may already do. We also organize monthly activities such as games nights, weekend trips to the Kinark Outdoor Centre, baseball games and fishing outings. If you have 2-4 hours a week that you can share with a child, please join our volunteer team.  Share your talents and friendship with a youngster....   become a Special Friend.
  • As a Host Family you will take a child or teen into your home for 1-2 days or overnights per month.  This is a volunteer opportunity in which the entire family can participate.  Children and youth benefit from sharing the warmth and enjoyment of your home life and their parents have a chance to recharge their batteries.  Whether it’s making a meal, playing a board game or going biking; your family can share these everyday enriching activities.  Our matching process considers your family’s interests, hobbies and lifestyle, as well as the needs of the child. As you begin enjoying outings with your young match, you can expect ongoing support from our professional staff as well as reimbursement for expenses.  Host Families can be couples, singles or families with children.  If you would like to put a smile on a child’s face...become a Host Family.  

Our Volunteers Assist with Children’s Groups, Supervised Access and STRIVE Recreational Programming

  • As a Children’s Group Volunteer you will assist staff in a children’s program that teaches positive social skills in a fun, recreational setting.  The children’s groups run while mothers and fathers improve their skills in Kinark’s parent education programs.  Each session runs one evening a week for a period of ten weeks. Volunteers are weekly buddies to young children, someone whom children look forward to seeing and having fun with. This is an opportunity to share your special craft and game ideas with a group of children.
  • As a Supervised Access Program Volunteer you will provide support to staff during supervised access visits between parents and children by assisting with arrivals and departures; helping to set up toys; and supporting children during visits with encouragement and friendliness.  The Supervised Access Program is designed to provide access for children and their parents who are experiencing high conflict separation and divorce disputes.  Supervised Access Volunteers should be available 2 to 4 times a month for 3-4 hour evening or weekend shifts.  This volunteer role will be a learning experience and give you the opportunity to provide relief and support to families in crisis and conflict. 
  • As a STRIVE  Recreation Volunteer you will provide support and encouragement to teens as they learn new skills, enjoy recreational activities and attend special events.  STRIVE teens attend an alternative education program for youth with special education and emotional needs.   You will work with our staff in developing and implementing strength-based programming which may include athletics, arts and crafts and outdoor activities.  STRIVE Recreation Volunteers need to commit 3 hours per week for a semester.  You may continue for subsequent semesters.  Under the guidance of STRIVE staff, you will have the opportunity to enrich the lives of teens in your community, while learning about the many components of a community recreation program.

How Can I Become a Kinark-PeterboroughVolunteer?

If you are interested in one of the positions described above, please contact:

          Sylvia Davies, Coordinator Volunteer and Community Relations
          705-742-3803 or toll free 1-800-386-6561
          Email: sylvia.davies@kinark.on.ca

She will answer your questions and help you determine which volunteer opportunities best suit your interests and availability. The next step will be to complete a volunteer application form and attend an interview.  All volunteers go through Kinark’s screening process. Once this process has been completed you will receive training from Kinark staff to support your volunteer role. 

We look forward to hearing from you!