Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers are important to the success and growth of our clients and organization.
BECOME A VOLUNTEER
Volunteers are consistently needed for our Community Connections programs, workshops and community events.
Benefits Of Volunteering
- Make new friends.
- Make cross-cultural connections.
- Help newcomers and their families feel welcome and engaged.
- Share your interests, skills and gifts.
- Have fun!
VOLUNTEER POSITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES
We appreciate your enthusiasm! Please check below our current open volunteer positions. The closed volunteer positions will be reopened when needed.
Description: The mentorship Program matches newcomers with mentors based on shared interests and meets once per week for three months. This fun, friendship-based program is enriching for both participants and volunteers. You are welcome to share skills, hobbies, knowledge, languages and time with newcomers, helping them gain life skills and adjust to life in Kamloops by teaching them about Canadian culture and lifestyle, skills, community resources, and how to connect with local people and improve their English and achieve their goals.
Duties:
– Take the initiative in contacting your match
– Prepare for the meeting, keep meeting track and provide feedback
– Meet weekly at a place/time that is mutually agreeable
– Respect and abide by strict rules of confidentiality.
Prerequisites: The mentor must be able to offer the skills and match the mentee’s learning needs, and the mentor needs to be very familiar with Kamloops and Canadian culture. Mentors must also be open to learning about new cultures, patient, understanding, and non-judgmental.
Description: Encourage a group of newcomers who speak Chinese and want to practice speaking English in the weekly bilingual group. Topic lessons will be provided by bilingual volunteers each week.
Duties: – Ensure all participants get a chance to practice speaking
– Ensure prepare lessons with topics
– Explain difficult vocabulary, expressions, and grammar
– Promote an inclusive, respectful environment.
Prerequisites: Previous teaching experience is preferred. Excellent English language skills, personable, non-judgemental.
Description: Help our experienced childminders care for newcomer children, to allow their parents to attend our classes and events.
Duties: – Assist with the preparation of snacks, arts/crafts, indoor & outdoor activities.
– Assist children with arts/crafts, mealtimes, games & activities.
– Respect & follow the guidance of the Childmind Coordinator, childminding
guidance policies and the confidentiality agreement.
– Regular scheduled attendance.
Prerequisites: Gain experience working with children! We welcome responsible adults, certified
ECE (Early Childhood Education) Assistants and/or individuals with or working
towards a full ECE certification. You will gain experience working with children under the guidance of an Early Childhood Educator. We are looking for an individual who is committed to support children to achieve their development goals.
Description: Provide extra support for newcomers as they work towards their goal of English language acquisition. Gain experience as a tutor while assisting immigrants to improve their English skills and learn more about Canada by establishing a link with a volunteer within the community! Volunteers are placed according to their previous experience and interest in learners who attend LINC classes and are looking for additional support in learning English, or perhaps may have a special project in mind, i.e. obtaining their driver’s license etc. or they may have special learning needs. Assist newcomers with improving their English language skills in an informal environment, working a few hours per week on a one-on-one basis with individuals with diverse language skill levels, meeting either in-person or online according to scheduling or preferences.
Duties: – Provide one-on-one support and English language instruction.
Prerequisites: Experience teaching, TESL certificate, excellent English language skills, patience, and non-judgemental attitude.
Description: Help newcomers to Canada settle into our community by sharing your skills with them! Whether you are a yoga instructor who wants to give back, a history buff who can help teach Citizenship or have a passion for teaching yoga or gardening, you are welcome to pitch us your programming ideas! We always seek experts who can share their professional knowledge and skills with newcomers to live a healthy lifestyle through workshops and presentations—for example, law, medical, therapy, dental and nutrition workshops.
Duties: – Meet with Community Connections Coordinator to discuss your programming idea
– Share your expertise on a particular topic. This can be a weekly recurring program, or a one-time workshop or activity.
Prerequisites: Must be qualified to teach or instruct on the topic at hand – requirements for this will vary. Must have the ability to teach in a respectful, non-judgemental manner. Experience working with diverse groups is an asset.
Description: Our ongoing programs need volunteers to assist with the activities or events, such as the monthly potluck on the last Thursday of the month from 11:30-13:00 and the monthly art workshop on a Friday from 11:30-13:00 or 14:30-16:00.
Duties: Volunteers are needed to provide support for a variety of events and activities. Come early and help us set up the room, then welcome the participants as they arrive. Join in the event and then help us clean up when it’s done!
Prerequisites: All you need is to be a good team player! This is a great volunteer opportunity for those who are still learning English.
Description: Our programs need a volunteer to assist in creating posters for events such as potlucks, workshops, field trips, or sports nights. Additionally, the volunteer will help in designing toolkits and presentations.
Duties: Commitment of at least 2.5 hours per week.
Prerequisites: Proficiency in using graphic design software, such as Canva–access to a Premium Account will be provided. Or any other software you already have a license for. This is a great volunteer opportunity for those who are still learning English and want to gain experience related to graphic design.
Description: Soccer Coach volunteers guide newcomers, including kids to learn soccer and provide a fun experience in a safe environment. We run Family Sports Night, Kids Summer Sports Camp, throughout the year.
Duties:
– Plan, implement and evaluate developmentally appropriate activities with supporting weekly lesson plans that are creative, flexible and adaptable. Provide a safe, positive and well-managed learning environment.
– Ensure appropriate setup, take down and maintenance of program space.
– Communicate with clients and other volunteers.
– Provide feedback to the KIS team regarding program content.
Prerequisites: Previous coaching experience is preferred. Good English language skills, personable, non-judgmental. Experience working with kids preferred.Â
Description: Pickleball Coach volunteers guide newcomers, including kids to learn pickleball and provide a fun experience in a safe environment. We run Family Sports Night, Kids Summer Sports Camp, throughout the year.
Duties:
– Plan, implement and evaluate developmentally appropriate activities with supporting weekly lesson plans that are creative, flexible and adaptable. Provide a safe, positive and well-managed learning environment.
– Ensure appropriate setup, take down and maintenance of program space.
– Communicate with clients and other volunteers.
– Provide feedback to the KIS team regarding program content.
Prerequisites: Previous coaching experience is preferred. Good English language skills, personable, non-judgmental.Â
Description: Dance Instructor volunteers teach diverse dance styles to a wide range of enthusiastic learners, making dance accessible and enjoyable for everyone involved. They guide newcomers, including kids to learn diverse dance styles and provide a fun experience in a safe environment. We run Social Dance Nights twice a year.
Duties:
– Plan, implement and evaluate developmentally appropriate dance lessons that are creative, flexible and adaptable. Provide a safe, fun, positive and well-managed learning environment.
– Ensure appropriate setup, take down and maintenance of program space.
– Communicate with clients and other volunteers.
– Provide feedback to the KIS team regarding program content.
Prerequisites: Previous dance teaching experience is preferred. Good English language skills, personable, non-judgmental.Â
Description: Coach volunteers guide newcomers to learn different sport skill and provide a fun experience in a safe environment. Examples: badminton, basketball, hockey, yoga, bowling etc. We run Family Sports Night, Kids Summer Sports Camp, Hike, ice Skating, skiing, snowshoeing, and tobogganing, throughout the year.
Duties:
– Plan, implement and evaluate developmentally appropriate activities with supporting weekly lesson plans that are creative, flexible and adaptable. Provide a safe, positive and well-managed learning environment.
– Ensure appropriate setup, take down and maintenance of program space
– Communicate with others and volunteers.
– Provide evaluation and feedback to the supervisor regarding program content.
Prerequisites: Previous coaching experience is preferred. Excellent English language skills, personable, non-judgemental.
Description: Sports assistant volunteers assist with coaches or program coordinators, guide newcomers to learn different sports skills, enjoy outdoor adventure and provide a fun experience in a safe environment. Examples: soccer, badminton, pickle ball, basketball, hockey, Yoga, bowling, hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, etc. We run Family Sports Night, Kids Summer Sports Camp, Hike, ice Skating, skiing, snowshoeing, and tobogganing, throughout the year.
Duties:
– Assist activities with a safe, positive and well-managed learning environment.
– Ensure appropriate setup, take down and maintenance of program space
– Communicate with coaches or program coordinators.
– Provide feedback to the supervisor.
Prerequisites: Previous coaching experience is preferred. Excellent English language skills, personable, non-judgemental.
Description: We run the Beginner French sessional program for six sessions once or twice a year. Volunteer guides a group of newcomers interested in learning basic French and simple conversations; the class will be on Zoom.
Duties: – Volunteer make a lesson plan
– Ensure all participants get a chance to participate.
Prerequisites: Previous teaching experience is preferred. Excellent English and French language skills, personable, non-judgemental.
Description: We run Kids Summer Camp every Summer, and look for volunteers to assist and support the kids camp. Ensure kids have a great and fun learning experience through different activities and trips.
Duties:
– Setup and take down
– Ensure all participants safety
Prerequisites: Love working with children and non-judgemental.
Description: We run many programs and activities throughout the year. We look for Photographer Volunteers to help us capture the moments we can share with newcomer clients and promote on our social media.
Duties:
– Take and photos
– Send photos back to the program coordinator.
Prerequisites: Prefer volunteer has a great sense of Photographing skills and knowledge.
Description: We run a multicultural cooking class- the Garden to the Kitchen Program once a month in the evening; we invite newcomers to share their home recipes and teach other newcomers and Canadians how to cook. At the end of class, everyone gets to enjoy the delicious food. We welcome anyone passionate about sharing home recipes with others to be a volunteer.
Duties:
– Volunteer prepares the recipes and sends it to the program coordinator
– Assist the program coordinator in getting ingredients ready
– Engage everyone to learn about the recipe during the class.
Prerequisites: Good communication skills, personable, non-judgemental.
Description:Â Support our Employment Team with running events which help people gain new skills for job search and grow their knowledge of different industries.
Activities range from interactive workshops to informative presentations. These events will be scheduled for a variety of time slots including weekend mornings between 9am-12pm, weekdays between 9am-4pm, and weekday evenings between 5-7pm. Most events are 1.5 hours maximum + help with setting up and cleaning up before and after.
Duties:Â Help with setting up and taking down tables and chairs, arranging printed materials, preparing food and drinks, and assisting with signing in participants.
Prerequisites:Â Someone who works well with a team of people and can handle independent tasks. If you have some experience with running employment related events that is a bonus!
Description: Support our Senior Activities Team in organizing events to enhance seniors’ well-being in our community.
Activities range from interactive workshops to engaging outings. These events will be scheduled for various time slots, including weekend mornings from 9 am to 12 pm, weekdays from 9 am to 4 pm, and weekday evenings from 5 pm to 7 pm. Most events last up to 2 hours, and volunteers will assist with setup and cleanup.
Duties: Assist with setting up and taking down tables and chairs, organizing printed materials, preparing food and beverages, and helping with participant sign-in.
Prerequisites: Ability to work well with a team, and skills in areas such as crafts, knitting, pickleball, painting, cooking, or willingness to learn from instructional videos provided before the event starts. Previous experience in organizing senior activities is a plus!
Description: With the support of the Case Management Program Coordinator:
• Facilitate one or two newcomer wellness support group meetings in the fall (between September and November). Participants will learn about physical and emotional wellness, manage stress, adjust to change & learn new ways of doing things, discuss issues related to well-being, and learn about community services available to support physical and emotional well-being.
• Maintain a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment
• Clearly state group objectives and ground rules
• Empower participants by discussing the important role they play for themselves and each other
• Involve participants through invitation and inclusion
• Initiate, clarify, and summarize discussions as required
• Connect support group participants through discussion about shared common experiences
• Provide support and guidance to participants, facilitate conversation and encourage problem-solving and support among members
• Manage the presentation of educational and movement activities
• Review of materials and preparation as required
• Engage in ongoing reflection and skill development
• Collect evaluations from group members and provide feedback to the Case Management program Coordinator to improve and evaluate this program
• Attend required facilitator training, information meetings, individual and group debrief
sessions
Training or qualifications:
Â
- Ensure all participants get a chance to practice speaking
- Explain difficult vocabulary, expressions, and grammar
- Promote an inclusive, respectful environment.
- Create interesting conversation topics for each session.
- Prerequisites: Previous teaching experience is preferred. Excellent English language skills, personable, non-judgemental.
How To Join:
MORE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Become A Mentor
KIS Mentorship program empowers, inspires and builds friendships by matching mentors and mentees based on shared interests for three months
Become A Tutor
English is considered one of the hardest second languages to master because of its nuances, contradictions, and endless oddities.
Become A Interpreter
There is a current demand for individuals who are fluent in Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese,
German, Punjabi and French.
Other Resources
get Settled
Get Settled in Kamloops and the Thompson-Nicola region of beautiful British-Columbia.
Learn English
English is one of the most important things you can do to
make British Columbia feel like home.
FEEL SUPPORTED
We will help you access resources and programs that will ease navigating the pathway of your new journey.
Attend Workshops
Discover a calendar filled with opportunities that will empower you on your unique path.
