Volunteers in Connected Families Parenting Support

VHA Home HealthCare (VHA) is one of the largest not-for-profit home care providers in Ontario. Our team is made up of close to 3,000 caring and committed professionals who love what they do.

Our providers tell us : Home care is where I can truly make a difference. There is such a sense of accomplishment from helping people live independently at home.

Our teams work together to provide high quality, client-centred care to those who need it most in their homes, schools, retirement homes and other community settings.

Many of our team members manage their own schedules in the community and they say, The freedom and flexibility can’t be beat.

Providers form meaningful bonds with the clients and families they serve over time and are supported by a diverse regional team and beneficial home office programs.

Team members tell us I love the inclusive culture. I feel welcome and at home.

The Connected Families, Parenting Support Program provides temporary relief and support services to at risk families caring for children from birth to four years of age.

This program is committed to ensuring the health and wellness of mothers / families experiencing stress, isolation, and mental health concerns, such as post-partum depression.

The relief service will enable moms to take a break from the demands of parenting and attend to their own needs. Volunteers interact and provide simple comforts to children in such a way as to enhance children’s capacity for successful development i.

e. stimulating gross / fine motor and enriching language skills.

AREA SERVED Toronto : Downtown, Scarborough, North York, East York, York, Etobicoke

RESPONSIBILTIES

Visit weekly on the same day / same time for three hours per week

Engage in meaningful conversation with mom

Engage, supervise infants and toddlers (age 0-4 years)

Introduce new learning activities to children

Partner with parent to plan and prepare healthy and nutritious meals for children

Provide information about community resources

Accompany mom and child(ren) to local community resources i.e. Early ON Center, Library

Educate and inform parents about upcoming community events and activities

Complete and submit weekly log for feedback

Attend meetings and training sessions

COMMITTMENT

3 hours plus travel time, and logs, Mondays-Fridays between 9am-4pm. No evening or weekend availability

1 visit per week

Each assignment is 12 weeks in duration

Commitment 3-6 months.

Opportunities may be available to help more than one family during this timeframe, or beyond

WORKING CONDITIONS

Conduct in-home family visits across the city of Toronto in priority

neighbourhoods. Volunteers are matched with clients as close to their own neighbourhoods as possible with some flexibility required.

Visits take place is small spaces. Must be comfortable moving around in small spaces, on the floor with children, holding babies.

PPE is provided and must be worn during visits.

REQUIREMENTS

Person- centered and caring attitude

Must have related child development experience

Must have experience caring for both newborns and toddlers

Experience and sensitive to working with culturally diverse families

Creativity in planning and implementing activities

Strong active listening skills and strong oral communication skills to support client in home and in community along with children

Knowledge of and experience working with the mental health of individuals and families

Knowledge of community resources an asset

Previous volunteer experience an asset

Second Language an asset

ORIENTATION AND TRAINING

Orientation to the agency and volunteer program

Training : Role and other, In Person and online

Ongoing education / development opportunities

SCREENING AND SUPERVISION

Resume

Prescreening

Interview

2 References

Criminal Reference check including Vulnerable Sector Screening

Signed Release, Agreement & Waiver

Reports to program staff on a regular basis with weekly log and as needed

BENEFITS

Volunteers are supported through orientation, training, (online and in person) meetings, workshops, seminars, and one-to-one support.

Career-related experience.

We provide an environment where volunteers are engaged, challenged & rewarded.

Opportunities to meet new people.

Develop social and professional networks.

Build on your communication, interpersonal and leadership skills.

Gain valuable work experience to build your resume.

Support your community.

Enhance clients' lives and deliver life-changing supports and services.

Reference letter upon request following 100 hours of volunteer service.

Program Assistant or / Coordinator or / Supervisor will be available for feedback and support.

Accommodation and VHA’s commitment to DEI

At VHA Home HealthCare (VHA), we passionately strive to uphold our commitments to being an Equal Opportunity Employer. We champion inclusion and diversity in all parts of our organization and are strong believers that a diverse workforce is key to the ongoing and future success of VHA.

We aim to review all applicants with fair and unbiased recruitment practices where opportunities are presented based on merits, skills, and experience.

VHA is committed to providing reasonable accommodation and our services are accessible and sensitive to the needs of diverse groups. I