Volunteer Esl In-home Tutor

**In-Home ESL Volunteer Tutor**
- Help parents build their English language skills and become more familiar with their community as an ESL tutor._

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

**Description**:
The ESL Volunteer Program supports newcomer clients experiencing isolation and are unable to access or participate in ESL classes due to child care needs. This program will enable clients to enhance their English language skills, and build confidence. Volunteers will assist moms to read, write and practice conversational English to access resources, educational programs, and employment opportunities. Volunteers visit the parents in their home while their children are present. Volunteers will partner with client to help identify learning needs of newcomer clients and plan, organize, and prepare weekly lesson plans based on client goals.

**Areas Served**: Throughout Toronto
- Scarborough, North York, East York, Downtown, Etobicoke

**RESPONSIBILITIES**
- Visit weekly on the same day/same time for 3 hours per week
- Introduce new learning activities to mom and engage in meaningful conversations
- Mentor parent to improve their knowledge of English conversational skills
- Identify learning needs and provide support based on client’s goals
- Help client build self-confidence in their speaking, writing, and listening ability
- Research relevant topics of interest to promote learning and life skills education
- Plan, organize and prepare weekly lesson plans
- Prepare topics to widen client’s knowledge of local community resources
- Provide feedback and guidance on language development
- Complete and submit weekly log

**TIME COMMITMENT**
- 3 hours plus travel time, and logs
- 1 visit per week
- Each assignment is 12 weeks in duration, Monday-Friday, 3-hours between 9am-5pm

**AGE REQUIREMENT**:18 years of age or older

**WORKING CONDITION**:
Conduct in-home family visits across the City of Toronto in priority neighborhoods. Volunteers are matched with clients as close to their own neighborhoods with some flexibility required.

**SKILL REQUIREMENTS**:

- Some tutoring, teaching, or coaching experience
- Good command of the English language
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including reading and writing.
- Desire to mentor and tutor newcomers on functional and everyday language skills
- Empathetic, patient, and compassionate about the challenges faced by newcomers
- Experience and sensitive to working with culturally diverse individuals and families
- Dependable and self-motivated, with the ability to facilitate tutoring sessions and activities with mínimal supervision
- Knowledge of community resources geared to supporting newcomers
- Second language an asset

**BENEFITS**
- Helping new families develop and improve their English skills and confidence
- Gain valuable ESL mentoring experience
- Build on your communication, interpersonal and leadership skills
- Support your community
- Engagement with a professional and supportive organization
- References letter upon request following 100 hours of volunteer service
- Program Assistant will be available for feedback and support

**BOUNDARIES**:

- No personal care given by volunteer
- No visiting or contact of any kind outside of scheduled, weekly, onsite volunteer shift
- No giving of items or food from inside or outside the home.
- Keep disclosure of personal information limited; no social media engagement.
- Do not accept gifts from clients; Do not give gifts

**ORIENTATION AND TRAINING**
- Orientation to the agency and volunteer program
- Ongoing education/development opportunities

**SCREENING AND SUPERVISION**
- Resume
- Application, with 2 references
- Interview
- Criminal reference check including Vulnerable Sector Screening
- Signed policies; Waiver; Release
- Independent and group learning
- Reports to Program Assistant on a regular basis with weekly log and as needed

**For more information & to apply, contact**:
**Roxana Condo, BSW, RSW**

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