What Volunteer Opportunities Does the Syl Apps Youth Centre Offer You?

Hello and thank you for your interest in wanting to know more about volunteer opportunities at Kinark Child and Family Services – Syl Apps Youth Centre.

Located in Oakville Ontario, Syl Apps Youth Centre is an eighty-five bed co-ed, residential facility for adolescents who may be Young Offenders or other youth whose mental health needs require a secure setting.

Three distinct programs for youth are facilitated on site: Secure Custody, Secure Detention and Secure Treatment. The Centre comprises eight residential units or 'cottages', staffed by youth workers, a unit supervisor, and social workers. Contributing cross-centre clinical support, both internal and external, from psychiatrists, psychologists, health care staff, volunteers, chaplaincy and native services, in combination with a section nineteen school staffed by teachers from the Halton Board of Education. Additionally, there is ample space for recreation and leisure activities.

It is important that young people at Syl Apps are not isolated or forgotten by a caring community to which they must eventually return and function. Volunteers play a key role in ensuring that this interaction with the community and its' values takes place. In addition, the presence and expertise of volunteers provide a tangible opportunity to support and enhance program delivery to youth and their families.

Each volunteer offers a unique background of experiences, talents, knowledge, and concern and above all, genuine desire to help others. We believe that it is essential for the young people at Syl Apps Youth Centre and their families to know that people in the community do, in fact, care about them.

Depending on the current volunteer needs of the facility the following are areas where volunteers can assist in working with the youth and staff at Syl Apps Youth Centre:

Ø      Meditation / Yoga Classes (teaching the youth on a 1:1 basis relaxation skills)

Ø      Woodworking Classes (teaching the youth on a 1:1 basis skills to make projects from wood)

Ø      Music Classes (teaching the youth on a 1:1 basis how to read music, play an instrument)

Ø      Cosmetology Classes (teaching the youth on a 1:1 basis esthetics, hair styles, skin care)

Ø      Horticulture Club (teaching the youth on a 1:1 basis gardening skills, education on plants)

Ø      Art Classes (teaching the youth on a 1:1 basis basic drawing skills, ways to express their art abilities)

Ø      Craft Classes (teaching the youth on a 1:1 basis to design a variety of crafts, needlepoint, rug hooking)

Ø      Sewing Classes (teaching the youth on a 1:1 basis basic sewing skills, making outfits, quilt making)

Ø      Chess Club (teaching the youth on a 1:1 basis to play chess)

Ø      Family Support Program (assisting families with transportation needs to visit their child)

Ø      Fitness Program (working with a youth on a 1:1 basis in a recreational capacity)

Ø      One-To-One Volunteers (working with a youth on a 1:1 basis in a leisure capacity, such as board games, cards, puzzles, assisting them with homework)

Ø      Spiritual and Pastoral Care Volunteers (providing the youth on a 1:1 basis spiritual and religious guidance)

If you’re interested in any of these positions please indicate your experience and suitability for the volunteer program you are interested in. Please include any hobbies and tutoring skills you may also have. We also encourage your suggestions for other programs you may have had experience with and feel that our youth could benefit from your skills.

As well, indicate your availability, how many hours per week that you would be able to volunteer, and length of time you’re able to commit to.

Please note, in keeping with the Ministry of Community and Social Services guidelines, to be accepted as a Kinark volunteer one must:

  • Participate in a personal interview to determine suitability for a volunteer position.
  • Complete a criminal record check.
  • Complete a medical certificate
  • Participate in required training sessions.
  • Sign and adhere to a confidentiality agreement.

Thank you again for inquiring about volunteer opportunities at Syl Apps Youth Centre and if you’re interested in pursing a volunteer position at Syl Apps or would like additional information please contact:

Tim Patterson
905-844-4110
Email: Tim.patterson@kinark.on.ca

ONE THING KINARK VOLUNTEERS HAVE IN COMMON IS THEIR DESIRE TO
HELP OTHERS AND YOU MAY BE ABLE TO ASSIST OUR YOUTH