Supported Volunteering

Individuals are encouraged to participate and take a leadership role in the process. Positive outcomes are achieved through a close relationship between the individual and the Community Integration Team. This relationship allows for the development of self-efficacy skills and the identification of appropriate support needs. As a result, successful volunteer placements facilitate natural volunteer relationships and support. Services are person­ centered and utilize, whenever possible, real volunteers in community volunteer settings to assess the individual’s skill level or to provide skill-training activities.

There are two types of volunteer placements:

• Group Community Volunteering: Set up by staff to take a group of residents to a decided site and work as a team to complete a task. Participants can be transported by staff, vans, or arrange to meet at the decided site.
• Individual Community Volunteering: Staff may assist in locating volunteer opportunities, and will assist in problem-solving with the individual, periodically as needed, at the volunteer site.

The volunteer placement process will guide individuals through an assessment of interests, skills, and experience to help them choose a placement that will meet their strengths and interests. Once a possible placement is made, the individual will set up a tour/orientation to the facility in which he/she wishes to volunteer and decide if the placement will work. If it is decided this is a good placement, the individual will set up a schedule and begin volunteering. Staff will assist as needed throughout the volunteer experience, as all steps in this process have the option to be done independently or with staff support.