Lethbridge Service Opportunities

Philosophy:

The volunteer will live simply in a shared household with other volunteers or church members where caring relationships can be affirmed and nurtured. It is expected that the volunteer will develop relationships with the other volunteers and the Lethbridge Mennonite Church community, be open to giving and receiving counsel. While there are differing expectations regarding how one is involved in the local faith community, the volunteer is willing to use his or her gifts and develop a relationship within the expectations of the local faith community.

Essentials:

Develop a relationship with the other volunteers and develop the expected relationship with the local faith community.

Service Opportunity 1

OPEN

Organization: L'Arche Lethbridge
Title: Resident Assistant
Position: Full time and/or half time

Organization Description:

The L'Arche Lethbridge Society is part of a worldwide network of Christian communities inspired by teachings of Jesus in the Beatitudes. At the heart of each community are core members with a developmental disability and those who share life with them. The mission is threefold:

to create homes where faithful relationships based on forgiveness and celebration are nurtured;
to reveal the unique value and vocation of each person; and
to change society by choosing to live in relationships of community as a sign of hope

Position Description:

The resident assistant functions as a support to L'Arche residents. Specific duties include a variety of household tasks and interaction with household participants. Participation in the L'Arche community is crucial to a successful experience.

Service Opportunity 2

Filled until September 2012

Organization: Peak Vocational & Support Services

Title: Community Disability Services Worker
Position: Full time or Half time

Organization Description:

Peak helps people with disabilities to reach their goals and to reach the most independence in all areas of their lives. We do this by helping them make choices about getting a job, about getting involved in their communities, and about where they live.

Position Description:

The basic function of the CDSW is to endeavor to fulfill Peak’s mission to empower the individuals served to achieve maximum independence in all areas of their lives. The role of the CDSW is to support and facilitate the development of skills and competencies that will assist individuals to pursue and fulfill their goals, objectives and aspirations.

The Core Responsibilities Include:

Implementing the Individual Service Plans (ISP) designed to support and assist individuals with personal development, community support, behaviour management and/or personal care by assisting, supporting and encouraging individuals to:

· achieve their personal goals through the development of basic living and related skills

· develop personal home living skills

· advocate on their own behalf

· participate in a meaningful way in the community activities

The CDSW will act as a social and/or employment role model and coach to assist the individual participate and contribute effectively within the community and/or in an employment or volunteer setting. This includes assisting and being a role model for employers and others within the social network.

Service Opportunity 3

Filled until January 2012

Organization: Park Meadows Christian Playschool
Title: Assistant
Position: Full time or half time

Organization Description:

The Park Meadows Christian Playschool is for children 3 - 4 years old. The children spend 2.5 hours, 2 or 3 times a week at the play school. The playschool is designed to help the children develop socially, physically, intellectually, creatively, emotionally and spiritually.

Position Description:

The Assistant will assisting in setting up and preparing for the different activities of the children; help the children with crafts, clean-up and chores; and clean-up after the program. The full time position is 8:15 am to 3:45 pm Monday to Thursday and 8:15 am to 1:00 pm on Fridays.

Service Opportunity 4 & 5

Filled until September 2012

Organization: Streets Alive Family Support Association
Title: Outreach Programs Assistant
Position: Full time + Half time

Organization Description:

Mission Statement: Streets Alive is Christian Humanitarian organization dedicated to meeting the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of the less fortunate in the City of Lethbridge. The Streets Alive Mission has been in operation for over 15 years and operates a number of outreach programs to families, at risk children, youth and adults.

Full time Position Description:

The Outreach Programs Assistant will be afforded the opportunity of working with two of our outreach programs. They are:

1) Mobile Street Unit: This unit reaches out to street people and to the at risk population of the downtown hotels, providing food and general comfort.

2) Kidz Alive: A children and youth program that reaches some 400 children and youth on a weekly basis.

Work will include home visitations, food preparation, coordination of transportation routes, working with volunteers, and other general duties. Some evening and weekend work is expected.

Desire to work with at risk people is an asset. Musical abilities are a bonus.

Half Time Position Description:

Volunteer will work in the Streets Alive Ask Learning Center. Duties will include:

being a life coach/mentor for women residing at the centre, as well as others from the community. The volunteer will spend one on one time with the women, and help them with life skills;
teaching Choices program modules. Each module lasts 6 weeks. Some topics in Choices are:

Self Esteem
Boundaries
Nutrition
Addictions recovery
Budgeting
Enabling
Co-dependence
Drama
Creative recovery journaling;

supervision of on-line learning;
chaperoning the girls to attend community activities such as bowling, volunteering, nature hikes, gym, etc.

Service Opportunity 6

Filled until September 2012

Organization: Lethbridge Mennonite Church

Title: Congregational Care Assistant

Position: Half time

Organization Description:

Lethbridge Mennonite Church (LMC) is an 83 member congregation, which sponsors the MVS program in Lethbridge. The vision of LMC is to be a loving congregation of healing, hope and peace.

Position Description:

This position is open to either male or female applicants. It is expected that the volunteer will already be a baptized believer and a member of a Christian church. Participation in the congregation is expected.

Under the direction of the pastor, the volunteer will:

Work with seniors in the congregation – visiting, playing games, reading, walking, shopping, taking to appointments, etc.
Helping to coordinate the community kitchen project – making and freezing meals for seniors, shut-ins and the VS unit.
Work in support of the youth programs of the church;

Although not required, it would be an asset if the volunteer had:

An interest in church work;
Experience working with seniors
Experience working with youth;
Good organizational skills;
The ability to work independently.

Service Opportunity 7

Filled until September 2012

Organization: Ability Resource Centre

Title: Direct Service (Community Rehabilitation) Worker
Position: Full time

Organization Description:

The Ability Resource Centre (ARC) is a division of the Rehabilitation Society of Southwestern Alberta. The Society is a private, charitable organization, founded in 1953. The Rehabilitation Society's purpose is "to provides supports to adults with disabilities to access opportunities, facilitate individual growth and promote inclusion". The Society operates at two locations in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.

Position Description:

The Direct Service worker rotates between four teams, working about 2 months with each team. The general work will involve the following:

Direct provision of services for adults with disabilities.
Full participation in the development of individuals General Service Plans.
Communicate effectively with individuals, families, guardians and other agency staff.
Document individual Service provisions according to agency guidelines.
Participate in team development sessions and professional development activities.

___________________________________________________________

Service Opportunity 8

Filled until September 2012

Organization: Noah's Ark First Adventure Pre-School

Position 20-28 hours: Monday - Thursday 20-28 hours

Position Description:

Greet children, play with children. Assist with crafts and differnt play centres. Assist with cleaning.

Follow instructions from Director and Teacher to find out what is happening in the day.

Assist in washroom and preparing snack as provided from the Director.

At our school we would like you to interact with children. Enjoy and have fun with children.

Required by correspondence: Early Childhood Level One