Get involved > Volunteer > Volunteer opportunities
Current volunteer opportunities
Our list of current volunteer positions changes periodically according to the needs of our programs. In addition to the positions listed below, if you have skills that could benefit one of FSA programs, please let us know by e-mailing Mindy Khu at: mindykh@fsatoronto.com
Please note: FSA is not an Ontario Works partner and does not sign forms for Ontario Works. To find out more about Ontario Works volunteer opportunities, call Volunteer Toronto at 416-961-6888 and/or check Volunteer Toronto's website at www.volunteertoronto.ca.
- Friends of New Directions Committee Volunteers
- Volunteer LGBTQ Community Counsellor
- David Kelley Services Community Advisory Committee
- Member Seniors' Advisory Council
Friends of New Directions Committee Volunteers
New Directions is a volunteer-based program of Family Service Association of Toronto in which women support women experiencing loss/grief due to a relationship breakdown or death of a partner. Program volunteers provide services in a safe and supportive environment that enables women to empower themselves and each other. The Friends of New Directions is a working advisory committee whose role is to support staff and volunteers through marketing, fundraising and other volunteer initiatives.
Position(s) Summary:
If you are passionate about women's issues and have knowledge of or
interest in the challenges facing women dealing with the loss of an intimate
partner, we would like to hear from you. The Friends of New Directions
is looking for three committee volunteers: a marketing specialist, a policy
and/or strategic planning advisor and a family law lawyer.
1. Marketing Specialist
Core Responsibilities:
- Attend monthly Friends of New Directions Committee and Fundraising sub-committee meetings
- Review and advise committee/volunteers/ Family Service Association of Toronto program manager and/or coordinator on fundraising events
- Liaise with the Family Service Association of Toronto program manager on the semi annual direct mail campaign and the Foundation Fundraising Initiatives
What skills do I need?
- A minimum of three years experience in marketing, fundraising, event planning or advertising
- Strong communications skills
What time commitment is required?
- Approximately eight hours per month
- Attendance at daytime and/or evening meetings
- Committee members are asked to make a one-year commitment
Will I require training?
- Orientation to the role and New Directions will be provided by the New Directions program manager and/or program coordinator. New members will also meet with the Friends of New Directions Committee chair and a designated Friends of New Directions Committee support person.
2. Policy and/or Strategic Planning Advisor
Core Responsibilities:
- Attend monthly Friends of New Directions Committee meetings
- Provide input regarding New Directions' strategic directions
- Assist with policy setting
- Provide support for New Directions bi-annual volunteer recognition events
What skills do I need?
- Some experience in policy/committee work and strategic leadership
- Interest/experience in program support activities
What time commitment is required?
- Approximately eight hours per month
- Attendance at daytime and/or evening meetings
- Committee members are asked to make a one-year commitment
Will I require training?
- Orientation to the role and New Directions will be provided by the New Directions program manager and/or program coordinator.
- New members will also meet with the Friends of New Directions Committee chair and a designated Friends of New Directions Committee support person.
3. Family Law Lawyer
Core Responsibilities:
- Attend a minimum of one Friends of New Directions Committee meeting quarterly (usually scheduled during the day)
- Provide recommendations on the organization and staffing of legal clinics
- Assist with recruitment of volunteer legal clinic lawyers
- Provide feedback on legal clinic activities via email or telephone when needed
What skills do I need?
- Three years experience in family law
- Basic email skills
What time commitment is required?
- Approximately six hours per month
- Attendance at daytime and/or evening meetings
- Committee members are asked to make a one-year commitment
Will I require training?
- The volunteer will be asked to attend a legal clinic and shadow a legal clinic support volunteer in order to gain first-hand knowledge of clinic operations
- Orientation to the role and New Directions will be provided by the New Directions program manager and/or program coordinator. New members will also meet with the Friends of New Directions Committee chair and a designated Friends of New Directions Committee support person.
Volunteer LGBTQ Community Counsellor
Position Summary :
To provide culturally appropriate assessment, referral, case coordination, case advocacy and counselling service predominantly to lesbians and gay men as well as to bisexual and transgender clients.
To be involved with and knowledgeable about the network of services available to les/gay/bi/trans/queer communities in the Toronto area and to represent and promote interests of clients and the service of FSA and the David Kelley Program.
Maintain current knowledge of community resources and services.
Core responsibilities:
- assess the psycho-social needs of potential clients, formulate and implement a service plan based on this assessment.
- provide individual, couple and family, and possibly group work to lesbians and gay men, bisexuals and trans clients and their families including persons infected or affected by HIV/AIDS
- ensure the effective co-ordination of services to clients
- provide referrals and advocate on behalf of clients as required
- maintain client records in accordance with FSA and program policy and procedures
- collect statistics as required
- maintain current knowledge of community resources and services
Skills:
- relevant post-secondary education & experience such as MSW or equivalent combination of education and experience
- demonstrated experience working with a variety of counselling interventions including brief counselling / psychotherapy approaches
- established credibility within gay and lesbian communities as well as with the bisexual and trans communities and comfortable being identified with the communities
- demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the culture and history of lesbians and gay men, bisexuals and transgender individuals and of the issues affecting them and their communities
Time commitment:
- three month trial period
- one year commitment (renewal of commitment on a yearly basis)
- minimum of once a week for three hours: days or Monday or Wednesday evenings
Training:
- Regular staff/peer/volunteer consultation and professional development provided.
For full job description and more information please call Mindy Khu at 416 595 9230 ext. 234.
David Kelley Services Community Advisory Committee
If you are a member of Toronto's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer or HIV communities and are interested in becoming involved in the David Kelley Services Community Advisory Committeee (CAC), we are interested in meeting with you.
Position summary:
The CAC assists in the recruitment and selection of staff and volunteers, develops and organizes community forums, assists with fund development for the programs and provides community input with respect to program issues related to the community.
Skills:
- Knowledge of the communities serviced by David Kelley Services
- Experience with event planning
- Fund development
- Understanding of social services and program delivery
Involvement in Committee work also offers the potential for involvement in other committee work within the agency. We believe that this is a perfect opportunity for those who may not yet be actively involved to contribute not only to the HIV/AIDS communities, but also to the LGBTQ communities in general
Time commitment:
- On average, three hours per month
Training:
- Volunteers will be provided with orientation
Member, Seniors' Advisory Council
Purpose of advisory council
- Educate the public and/or government on issues that affect seniors and caregivers
- Provide guidance and advice to staff of the Seniors and Caregivers Support Service Unit on programming, evaluation and other activities
Responsibilities
- To familiarize oneself on issues addressed by the Council
- To help evaluate the work of the Seniors and Caregivers Unit
- To be interested and familiar with areas of concern to seniors and/or caregiver issues
- To advocate on issues related to seniors and/or caregivers within the policy framework of Family Service Association of Toronto
Meeting frequency
Third Tuesday of each month from 1:30 to 3:30 at 355 Church St. (Church and Gerrard)
Potential activities
- Educate the public on needs of seniors and caregivers
- Participate in educational opportunities within the Council
- Review of promotional materials
- Participate in public meetings on issues related to seniors and caregivers
- Participate in advocacy initiatives
- Participate in marketing and recruitment of Council members
- Be an ambassador for Family Service Association of Toronto
Other resources we would recommend:
The Volunteer Centre of Toronto: www.volunteertoronto.on.ca
