Do you believe in creating change locally through civic action and volunteerism?

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Grey Bruce & West Simcoe (BBBSGBWS) is seeking energetic, dedicated volunteers to join our growing organization. We are a non-profit charity, providing mentorship services to youth ages 6-18 in both schools and communities. As a vibrant, collaborative, community-focused organization we believe in creating communities where young people belong and are empowered to unlock their potential.

 

Volunteer Opportunities:

Community-Based Volunteer

• Join us as a Mentor in our community-based volunteer program. Connect with a local youth (ages 6-18) in your community. Spend one hour a week engaging in fun, skill-building activities and make an impact! (One year commitment)

School-Based Volunteer

• School-based volunteers spend one hour weekly connecting with a group of Mentees (ages 6-16) within the school environment. Mentors are provided with programming that supports educational success. Join us as a school-based Mentor and make an impact! (Four month commitment)

Group-Based Volunteer

• Group program volunteers support the BBBSGBWS team in a variety of unique settings, including our Outdoor Wellness Program, Youth Council meetings and Big Bunch events. This position is great for students. (Flexible commitment)

Agency Volunteer

• With the BBBSGBWS team engage in fundraising support and be a BBBSGBWS brand ambassador. Join our team at local youth events, connect with children, youth, families and make an impact!

 

To volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters, you should:

• Be interested in developing a positive relationship with a local child or youth
• Promote the welfare and safety of children and youth and act with integrity
• Be trustworthy, energetic, mature, reliable, patient and respectful of others
• Be supportive and non-judgmental in your interactions with children and youth
• Be comfortable with BBBSGBWS's core values, policies and procedures
• Be cause-driven and believe in the power of civic engagement and community connection

What will be expected of me?

• Commit approximately one to two hours per week (this varies across programs)
• Commit for up to one year or as little as four months (this varies across programs)
• Complete pre-match training and screening to ensure the safety and security of children and youth
• Receive ongoing connection, training and support from BBBSGBWS
• Communicate openly and regularly with the parents/guardians
• Communicate openly and regularly with the BBBSGBWS Mentorship Coordinator team

BBBSGBWS is committed to recruiting a diverse group of volunteers that represent the communities we serve, while encompassing the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion. We encourage applications from persons of color, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, people of all gender expressions and sexual orientations.

Make a difference in our community by providing onsite first aid at local community events.

Use your first aid skills

Develop first aid skills with hands-on training

Participate in patient care.

We are always looking for volunteers to help out around the kennels. We are open every morning 7 days a week from 8AM - noon. We have a shift of volunteers in every morning to look after the cats and dogs: cleaning, feeding, grooming, walking, laundry, vet runs, administering medications and of course putting dogs out in outdoor runs and walking them. We walk the dogs every day, unless the weather is really, really bad (i.e. too cold or just plain dangerous). We also have evening dog walkers who are paired up for safety reasons (don't want people out at the shelter alone) and they walk dogs or put them out for a stretch in outdoor pens, administer any necessary evening medications and/or extra feeds to cats or dogs and clean up any kennels that have messes.  
 
We do ask volunteers to try and commit to a period of time on a regular basis (e.g. a particular morning/evening every week or every other week) as it makes it easier for scheduling and also keeps the volunteer familiar to the animals they are caring for. With the dogs, this makes a big difference. We have some dogs that are with us for a while before finding a forever home so we try to have them handled by people they know as much as possible.

Set up tables and chairs, play bingo, board games, pool and socialize. Make coffee/tea.

Across the country, the Gutsy Walk is made possible due to the time and talents shared by thousands of volunteers in their communities. With a collective goal to deliver our mission of finding a cure for Crohn's and colitis, we are greatly appreciative and thankful for our volunteers who have continuously led the Gutsy Walk to success each year.

As a Gutsy Walk Planning Committee Member, you’ll be working closely with a team of other volunteers to plan and promote your local Gutsy Walk. Your efforts in connecting and engaging your community—whatever your volunteer role with Gutsy Walk—will make a big impact in raising awareness about IBD and finding cures.
In particular, we’re looking for volunteers to support their local Gutsy Walk in the following ways:

• Community Outreach –inspire people to sign up and participate in the local Gutsy Walk
• Media Relations –connect with local media outlets to promote the Gutsy Walk
• Social Media –raise awareness about IBD and the Gutsy Walk through social media
• Fundraising –organize exciting fundraisers in your community
• Corporate Sponsorship –engage with local businesses to promote donations of sponsorship and gifts in kind
• Stewardship –build relationships with Gutsy Walk participants and encourage engagement