Overview

The Volunteer Department offers numerous volunteer services to a diverse population of children, adolescents, adults and families.
Volunteers are needed and appreciated in a variety of programs according to their particular interests and skills, and with the focus of meeting the needs of our clients.

The more things change, the more they remain the same. Back in 1863, volunteers were the foundation of Jewish Services. More than 140 years later, as JFS merged into Ometz, it remains true today. Generation to generation, family to family, person to person, volunteers have been the heart of our agency.

Opportunities

1. Mentorship: Develop a meaningful relationship with a young child or adolescent over the course of a year and become a role model. Open to individuals 18 years of age and older, able to commit to 6 or 8 hours a month. Training and professional support provided.
   
2. Tutor: Assist students aged 5 to 16 with their schoolwork for one hour or more per week, after school, evenings or weekends to accommodate schedules. Tutoring as well for adults needing help in languages.
   
3. Classroom partner: Provide remedial help to one or more students in a school setting, several hours per week.
   
4. Senior Connections: Volunteers 50 plus to form connections with adults who are living with mental illness. The goal is to model and encourage healthy aging and socialization. You will be part of group programming as well as one to one contact.
   
5. Fiscal fitness: Provide individual and group budget counseling and guidance to those experiencing financial distress. Volunteers also can give workshops on debt prevention, managing finances. Commitment  flexible.
   
6. Parent support: Offer guidance, support and experience to families having difficulty managing.
   
7. Grandparent support: Chance for older adults and young children to share their lives while mentoring through recreational activities. 
   
8. Driver: Assist clients with transportation to medical appointments and other essential errands, and may also assist with shopping needs.
   
9. Skills bank: Professionals and trades people offering services voluntarily or at reduced cost to match client needs.
   
10. TASSI.CA: Acronym for Teen Advice Support Suggestion and Information. Website for teens to talk to teens about issues and concerns. Volunteers are trained to moderate the site and redirect the discussions to keep them safe, helpful, and accurate.

All our volunteers receive ongoing guidance from our professionals. There are training sessions provided where applicable which serves to enhance helping skills. As well, there is focus on the volunteer’s own personal experience and growth.

Volunteers are a vital part of Ometz and our community. For more information on how to get involved, contact Linda Mestel, 514 342-0000 ext. 3435 or please fill in the application request form online.