Volunteer, Connected Families: Parenting Support

**Volunteer, Connected Families: Parenting Support (Toronto)**
- Mental Health Support for parents with children 0 to 4 years_

Founded in 1925, VHA is a not-for-profit, charitable organization made up of over 3,000 diverse professionals - nurses, personal support workers, rehab therapists, home support workers, extreme cleaners, and office support staff. Together, we provide high quality care, with great heart, to vulnerable populations in the communities we serve. This includes seniors, families, new parents, newborn babies, people with physical and mental disabilities, children with medically complex needs, and the terminally ill. We provide service 24 hours a day, seven days a week to clients in their homes, in schools, in retirement homes and other locations in the community. In every role and at every level, we lead with purpose, build bonds that matter, and we’re passionate about providing spectacular care. VHA Home HealthCare (VHA) believes that quality care begins with quality people. Our volunteers work directly with our clients and make a difference in people’s lives every day. We’re looking for volunteers who share and enhance VHA’s values.

**Role Description**: The Connected Families: Parenting Support Volunteer program provides temporary relief and support services to at risk families caring for children from birth to four years of age. This program is committed to ensuring the health and wellness of mothers/families experiencing stress, isolation, and mental health concerns, such as Post-Partum Depression. The relief service will enable moms to take a break from the demands of parenting and attend to their own needs. Volunteers will interact and provide _simple comforts_ to children in such a way as to enhance children’s capacity for successful development i.e. stimulating gross/fine motor skills and enrich language skills.

**AREA SERVED** Toronto: Scarborough, North York, East York, Downtown Toronto, Etobicoke, Midtown

**RESPONSIBILTIES**
- Visit weekly on the same day / same time for three hours per week
- Engage in meaningful conversation with mom
- Engage, supervise infants and toddlers (age 0-4 years)
- Partner with mom to plan prepare healthy and nutritious meals for children
- Provide information about community resources
- Accompany mom and child(ren) to local community resources i.e. Early ON Center, Library, Community Center
- Educate and inform mom about upcoming community events and activities
- Introduce new learning activities to the children
- Complete and submit weekly log for feedback
- Attend training sessions (in-person or virtual)

**TIME COMMITTMENT**
- 3 hours plus travel time, and logs, Weekly
- 1 visit per week, Weekly, Same Day/Time, Weekdays only 9am-4pm.
- Each assignment is 12 weeks in duration
- Commitment - 3-6 months.
- Opportunities may be available to help more than one family during this timeframe, or beyond.

**WORKING CONDITION**

Conduct in-home family visits across the city of Toronto in priority neighbourhoods. Volunteers are matched with clients as close to their own neighbourhoods as possible with some flexibility required.

**SKILL REQUIREMENT**
- Person
- centered and caring attitude
- Must have related child development experience
- Must have experience caring for both newborns and toddlers, personal or professional experience
- Excellent oral and listening communication skills - able to easily communicate and create understanding in 1:1, working relationship
- Able to move around easily in small and crowded space
- Experience and sensitive to working with culturally diverse families
- Creativity in planning and implementing activities
- Knowledge of community resources an asset
- Knowledge of and working experience with the mental health of individuals and families
- Strong active listening skills and strong oral communication skills to support client in home and in community, along with children
- Previous volunteer experience an asset
- Second Language an asset

**BENEFITS**
- Volunteers are supported through orientation, training, (online and in person) meetings, workshops, seminars.
- Career-related experience
- We provide an environment where volunteers are engaged, challenged & rewarded.
- Opportunities to meet new people.
- Develop social and professional networks.
- Build on your communication, interpersonal and leadership skills.
- Gain valuable work experience to build your resume.
- Support your community.
- Enhance clients' lives and deliver life-changing supports and services.
- Reference letter upon request following 100 hours of volunteer service.
- Program Assistant or/Coordinator or/Supervisor will be available for feedback and support

**ORIENTATION AND TRAINING**
- Independent learning
- Orientation to the agency and volunteer program
- Role Training
- Additional education/development opportunities

**SCREENING AND SUPERVISION**
- Resume
- Application, with 2 supervisory references
- Interview
- Clear Vulnerable Sect