What Volunteer Opportunities Does Kinark-York Offer You?
Thank you for your interest in learning more about volunteering in York Region. 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 Our clients may have attention difficulties, be withdrawn, sad or lonely.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.”
Kinark has 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.
Kinark – York Region Volunteer Respite Program has openings available for Volunteer Special Friends.
- 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.
Kinark – York Region Child Care Centres
Volunteer in our Child Care Centres located in the Georgina area. Volunteer to support the Child Care Centre staff and children in our programs by working one on one with an individual child in a group setting or work with small groups doing daily activities.
Kinark – York Region Administration Volunteers
Volunteer in our York Region office in Aurora doing a variety of administrative duties.
How Can I Become a Kinark-York Volunteer?
If you are interested in one of the positions described above, please contact:
Mirja Raita, Coordinator Volunteer Resources at 905-713-0700 x3606
Email: mirja.raita@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!