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Volunteers. From Compassion to Action

National Volunteer Week: April 27 - May 3, 2008
Thank you to our volunteers!

Each year in spring, Canadians celebrate National Volunteer Week - the biggest national event that recognizes volunteers and their contributions and achievements.

At FSA, this week has a special place in our hearts. Founded in 1914 by volunteers, over the years our agency constantly benefited from the dedication, time and energy donated by countless volunteers involved in FSA programs. Today, FSA volunteers work together with staff in all departments. They get involved in special events, counselling assistance, administration, board and advisory committees, groups and workshops assistance, research, writing or visiting families and individuals in the community.

FSA staff speak about the positive impact volunteers have on their programs:

Next Steps welcomes volunteers into our Groups and finds they make an invaluable contribution. One such volunteer, who has been assisting in the Farsi-speaking group for many years, has provided a great example to the group participants of commitment to the group’s values and goals, of reliability, of positive thinking and of giving of himself to something he believes in--- nonviolent respectful relationships between men and women.
NEXT STEPS PROGRAM

Our volunteer was a very dedicated volunteer who loved working with children and they loved her.  She engaged in games and activities such as arts and crafts with them. Every week they would look forward to seeing her which says it all. 
COPE PROGRAM

Volunteers in the Senior and Caregiver program help in all aspects of our work from client visits to advising us on directions the unit should take, participating on committees, helping us get mailings out and applying for grants to work on issues of interest to them.

Volunteers in the Violence Against Women unit provide support in the office on an as-needed basis.

Support of volunteers in both of our programs means that we can extend the work we do with clients to include more in-depth supports at critical moments in people’s lives.
SENIORS AND CAREGIVERS SUPPORT SERVICES & VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

The volunteers at FIT contribute their time and talents unstintingly to do a myriad of tasks behind the scenes.  Not only does their patience, dependability, cheerfulness and competence make our jobs easier, it also enables us to deliver our best service to our clients. We are very grateful for their generous assistance.
FAMILIES IN TRANSITION

Without you, our most dedicated volunteers, our work would not have achieved the level of impact and successes it has now.  And thanks to your generosity in offering us your time, skills, and wisdom, whether through volunteering directly with our work team or through special projects, we at Campaign 2000 and Social Reform are able to keep the momentum going -- build public support to end child/family poverty and affect changes to social policy. 
SOCIAL REFORM

Our corporate volunteers prepare and serve delicious meals to the tenants of 138 Pears Avenue and assist staff and tenants with tasks around the building.  The tenants anticipate these events throughout the year with much excitement, and feel increased self-respect because the volunteers take the time to connect with them.  “It shows that there are people out there who care about us.”  Thank you to our corporate volunteers! 
PEARS AVENUE PROJECT

The volunteers that have worked in the Parent Education and Support Program (COPE) within the Counselling Program have been of tremendous help in our Children’s Program.  The volunteers are able to provide more individualized support to both the children and pre-teens which makes the whole experience more personal and welcoming for all.  With the assistance of the volunteers we are able to provide a higher level of interpersonal interaction for the children.  Many of our FSA group facilitators report that it is the children who encourage the parents to keep coming to COPE, and this is largely due to the wonderful programming that we are able to do with the extra support of the volunteers.  Thanks COPE volunteers, you help make our program a success.
COPE PROGRAM

The corporate volunteers delivered a “Job Skill Drop In”.  Our FAIR parent participants benefited greatly from their involvement in the event.  It was the first time we conducted this type of workshop at Family Service Association of Toronto and, based on the positive feedback we have received, we hope to hold similar events in the future. 
FAIR PROJECT

DKS volunteers provide a remarkable service to the clients of the program and make a fantastic contribution to the agency.  They are clearly a group of dedicated, concerned, passionate and compassionate individuals who are serious about making contributions to their community.  Our volunteers are small in number but are involved at many levels.  Some provide several hours a week in direct counselling service to clients.  Others inform the agency through the advisory committee process on issues relevant to the LGBTQ communities as well as on development needs and enhancement of services.  Volunteers contribute ideas, time and energy and work with the staff to deliver educational forums to the community.  We are extremely fortunate to have this level of contribution and we want to thank our volunteers so very much for what they bring to the program and agency. 
DAVID KELLEY SERVICES

The corporate volunteers were flexible and hard-working.  With very little preparation time, they were able to work with us to lead and support various activities for a diverse group of children and parents/caregivers.
GROWING UP HEALTHY DOWNTOWN

 

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