VOLUNTEER AT A BAVA MEMBER AGENCY
Are you looking for ways to get involved in your community? Consider volunteering at one of BAVA's member agencies.
Alzheimer Society of Simcoe County
Contact: Marguerite Glanfield, Volunteer Resources Coordinator
Location: 20 Anne Street South, Barrie, ON L4N 2C5
Phone: 705-722-1066 Fax: 705-722-9392
Mission: Persons affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia live well and thrive in their community.
Services provided: In collaboration with persons affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, and care partners, we will provide the highest quality support, education and advocacy.
Volunteer opportunities: Volunteer roles with the Alzheimer Society include administrative support, support group facilitators, education assistants, health fairs, speakers bureau, Walk for Alzheimer’s Planning Team, Coffee Break® deliveries and Tag Days.
Requirements: Requirements vary depending upon the volunteer position. Information will be provided at the interview.
Barrie Community Health Centre
Contact: Co-facilitators BCHC Volunteer Services, Stephanie Butler (ext. 241) and Rebekah North (ext. 231)
Location: 490 Huronia Road, Barrie ON, L4N 6M2
Phone: 705-734-9690 ext. 241
Fax: 705-734-0239
Mission: BCHC "encourages personal responsibility for one's own health and that of the community through health promotion, illness prevention, chronic disease management and integrated health care".
Service provided for: Individuals across the lifespan including families with young children and seniors
Volunteer Opportunities: Board members, standing committee members, administrative assistants, program assistants, food volunteers and welcome desk volunteers
Requirements: Volunteer application with three references, criminal reference check, vulnerable sector screen may be required depending on role. A specific time commitment will be required for board and committee members and program assistants
Barrie Public Library
Contact: Emily Fleming, Coordinator of Volunteer Resources
Location: 60 Worsley Street, Barrie, ON L4M 1L6
Phone: 705-728-1010 ext. 2266 Fax: 705-728-4322
Website: http://www.barriepubliclibrary.ca
Mission: Discover opportunities
Volunteer opportunities: Barrie Public Library offers volunteer opportunities in three locations - Downtown Branch, 60 Worsley St., Painswick Branch, 48 Dean Ave. and Holly Branch, 555 Essa Road. Please visit https://www.barrielibrary.ca/about-bpl/volunteering for a full list of current opportunities
Services provided for: Barrie and Oro-Medonte
Requirements: Must be 14 years or older for most positions (see position descriptions on the Barrie Public Library website for additional age requirements); application form with two references, interview, waiver, training, police check may be required for those 18 and older (depending on the position)
Big Brothers Big Sisters of
Barrie and District
Contact: Ainsley McCallum and Glenda Barendregt, Mentoring Coordinators
Address: 168 Bayfield Street, Barrie, ON L4M 4T2
Phone: 705-728-0515 ext. 3 Fax: 705-728-2965
Mission: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Barrie & District is committed to providing children and youth with valuable mentoring programs vital in fostering their full potential to succeed.
Opportunities: Looking for adult mentors for Game On, Go Girls, In School Mentoring, Big Brothers and After School Mentoring Program.
Services provided for: Matching up positive adult mentors with children and youth within the Barrie area.
Requirements: All applications have to go through the screening process which includes: an orientation, application, interview, reference and police checks, training and home visits (Big Brothers volunteers). Minimum age to volunteer is 18 and we are currently looking for males that are able to volunteer in our school based programs starting in September. Additional program information can be found on our website.
Bob Rumball Home for the Deaf
Contact: Jennifer Pilon, Manager of Social Services
Location: 1 Royal Parkside Drive, Barrie, ON L4M 0C4
Phone: 705-719-6700 ext. 308 Fax: 705-719-6752
Mission: To merge exceptional long term care with the language and culture of the deaf seniors resulting in a communication rich environment that enhances the quality of life for each resident.
Services provided for: Seniors, deaf, deaf/blind, hearing in a long term care facility.
Volunteer opportunities: in our Programs/Activities department; dietary; administration (front desk) support; environmental support; Café support; outings; feeding (mealtime) assistance; monthly socials; weekly visits; reading; various trip and outings.
Requirements: Police check, TB 2 step test, signed confidentiality agreement, interview/orientation.
Canadian Mental Health Association - Simcoe County Branch
Contact: Marg Gow, Coordinator of Volunteer Resources
Location: 128 Anne Street, Barrie, ON L4N 6A2
Phone: 705-726-5033 ext. 532 Fax: 705-719-0908
Mission: To provide integrated mental health and addiction services to individuals and families using a recovery approach that respects individual uniqueness and choice.
Services provided for: Individuals aged 16+ with mental health or addiction difficulties.
Volunteer opportunities: reception and clerical assistance; special projects and events; one-on-one client support; facilitating and supporting groups in various programs.
Requirements: Minimum 6-month commitment, non-judgemental, empathetic, patient, reliable, flexible, share knowledge and skills.
Canadian Red Cross
Contact: Heather Stone, Program Coordinator
Location: 65 Cedar Pointe Dr., Unit 809B, Barrie, ON L4N 5R7
Phone: 705-721-3313 ext. 5278 Fax: 705-739-9916
Mission: To improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity in Canada and around the world.
Services provided for: Community Support Services are provided for seniors and adults with physical disabilities.
Volunteer opportunities: Meals on Wheels (drivers, servers, dispatchers); transportation drivers; friendly visitors; telephone assurance; office help (switchboard, reception, filing); disaster management volunteers; Branch Council.
Requirements: Volunteer application form with two references, criminal record check and vulnerable sector search. Valid drivers license with fewer than three demerit points required for some positions.
CNIB Simcoe/Muskoka
Contact: Sherri Helsdingen, Program Lead, Advocacy and
Team Coordinator
Location: 20 Anne Street South, Unit 10, Barrie, ON L4N 2C6
Phone: 705-728-3352 ext. 5289 Fax: 705-722-5305
Mission: To enhance independence for Canadians who are blind or partially sighted and to be the leader in promoting vision health.
Volunteer opportunities: ShopCNIB storefront; Vision Mates; Low Vision Clinic assistants.
Services provided for: People who are blind or partially sighted (all ages).
Requirements: Depends on level of volunteer role. Volunteers complete the volunteer application, provide references, attend an interview and orientation. Some volunteers may need to obtain a criminal reference check/vulnerable sector screen, drivers’ abstract, etc. Minimum age is 14. Volunteers who work with clients, client information or cash must be 19 or older.
Coleman Care Centre
Contact: Michelle Sattler, Social Worker & Volunteer Coordinator
Location: 140 Cundles Road West, Barrie, ON L4N 9X8
Phone: 705-726-8691 ext. 111 Fax: 705-726-5085
Mission: To provide holistic health care in a home environment, located within an internal neighbourhood design that promotes a caring community, with emphasis on optimal health and life purpose for each resident.
Services provided for: Long Term Care Facility
Volunteer opportunities: Activities (crafts, bingo, cards and other games, support groups, one to one visits, reading, writing stories, laundry folding, etc), events (birthday and other seasonal parties, entertainment, pub night, etc) and outings (restaurants, sporting events, greenhouses, parks, shopping, bowling, etc); Opportunity to become volunteer leader.
Requirements: Criminal reference check with vulnerable sector if 18 or older, personal references, interview, orientation; Students welcome, minimum age is 14.
Collingwood General and Marine Hospital
Contact: Sadie Nixon CVRM, Manager Volunteer Services
Location: CGMH 459 Hume Street, Collingwood, ON L9Y1W9
Phone: 705-445-2550 ext. 8615
Website: www.cgmh.on.ca
Mission: Advancing community health through compassionate, innovative, and collaborative care.
Services provided for: The Collingwood General and Marine Hospital provides a variety of health care services to the more than 60,000 people who live and work in our community. We also provide essential health care services to more than 3.5 million vacationers and cottagers who visit the communities of Wasaga Beach, Collingwood, Stayner, Creemore and the Blue Mountains.
Volunteer opportunities: Volunteers play an integral part in the welcoming atmosphere that CGMH is known for. They help ensure the hospital is a comforting place for both patients and visitors, and that it runs smoothly and efficiently. The work of each and every volunteer at CGMH is greatly appreciated and valued by hospital staff and the community. Volunteers help In Patient Areas, Emergency, Ambulatory Care, Dialysis, Diagnostic Imaging, Surgical Day Care, Pet Therapy, Gift Shop, Patient Navigation (information desk), and Office Assistance
Requirements: Volunteers must be 16 years or older and be willing to work a minimum of one 4-hour shift each week. An interview is required, a physical examination, have up to date immunizations and a current TB Test. Two references are required for each prospective volunteer. Training, orientation, volunteer garments (i.e., vests, golf shirts, tops) and parking passes are provided by Volunteer Services
Criminal record check and vulnerable sector are required for all volunteers 18 and older.
Dress for Success Orillia and Barrie
Contact: Kimberly Davis, Outreach Coordinator, Volunteers
Locations: Bayfield Mall, 320 Bayfield St, Barrie, ON L4M 3C1 and 10 Peter St. North, Unit 102, Orillia, ON L3V 4Y7
Phone: 705-252-9200
Mission: The mission of Dress for Success is to empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.
Volunteer opportunities: Suiting stylists, donation sorting, boutique maintenance, mentoring and workshop facilitation. We are also looking for dedicated individuals to apply to join our Board of Directors.
Services provided for: Our Suiting program provides disadvantaged women with professional attire for interview and employment as well as a network of support and peer mentoring.
Requirements: Vary depending upon the volunteer position. Contact Valerie Barath for more information.
Hospice Simcoe
Contacts: Katherine Stewart, Volunteer and Community Programs Manager and Tonya Claughton, Volunteer Coordinator
Location: 336 Penetanguishene Road, Barrie, ON L4N 7C2
Phone: 705-722-5995 Fax: 705-722-0716
Mission: As an integral partner in the healthcare continuum, Hospice Simcoe comforts and empowers those living with life threatening illness and bereavement.
Services provided for: In-home visiting, bereavement support, care for caregivers, residential hospice, community programs and community outreach.
Volunteer opportunities: flexible opportunities to become involved in client care (residential and in the community), reception, kitchen, community outreach, awareness and the fund development team.
Requirements: complete an application form (available on our website www.hospicesimcoe.ca), interview, 30 hour training/orientation course, police check.
Listening Post Barrie
Contact: Ruth McDonald, Director
Locations: Busby Centre Emergency Shelter, Elizabeth Fry Society Emergency Shelter, Barrie Public Library downtown location
Phone: 705-229-6513
Email: listeningpostbarrie@gmail.com
Website: www.listeningpostbarrie.ca
Mission: We create safe spaces for people to be heard for the common good of all. We train volunteers and community folk in the art of compassionate, non-judgemental listening and heart-to-heart connection.
Volunteer Opportunities: 2 hour shifts of compassionate one-on-one listening in the community
Services For:
1. Anyone who wants to be heard with a focus on listening with people who may be vulnerable due to isolation, homelessness, disability, poverty, substance use disorder, mental health.
2. Anyone who wants to receive training in the art of compassionate listening.
Requirements: 18 years of age or older, vulnerable sector search, personal references, non-judgemental presence, desire to listen, interview with director, training session.
Redwood Park Communities
Contact: Tanya Saari
Location: Barrie
Phone: 705-796-6902
Email: volunteer@redwoodparkcommunities.com
Website: redwooodparkcommunities.com
Mission: Building safe, affordable, hopeful housing in supportive community.
Volunteer opportunities: Redwood Park Communities, Furniture Bank- Various Opportunities
Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions
Contact: Joanne Oblin, Coordinator of Volunteer Services
Location: 60 Bell Farm Road, Barrie, ON L4M 5G6
Phone: 705-726-6587 ext. 2370 Fax: 705-726-9788
Mission: To work together with families, community partners, and colleagues to enhance the safety and wellbeing of children, youth and families.
Service provided for: Children, youth and families
Volunteer opportunities: Drivers, mentors, parent assists, child care, special events.
Requirements: Volunteer application form with three references, criminal record check and vulnerable sector search, sign an oath of confidentiality, and a CPIN search. Valid drivers license with fewer than three demerit points required for some positions.
TELUS
Contact: Jenna Robinson, Store Manager/Community Ambassador & Jessica Crowe, Community Ambassadors Executive Member
Website: www.TELUS.com/community
We Give Where We Live: Giving back is at the core of our culture at TELUS, and our Team TELUS Cares programs make it easy for our team members and retirees to create positive social change in their local communities, supporting the causes they care most about, 365 days a year.
TELUS’ social mission: our social impact goals include building a greener planet, creating a healthier Canada, educating youth, and strengthening our communities.
TELUS Barrie Community Board: Our innovative Community Boards put funding decisions in the hands of community champions who best understand the needs in our communities. The focus of the Boards is to provide grants to grassroots charities that support local youth. Preference is given to projects that also demonstrate tangible technological or social innovation. To find out more information please visit telus.com/community
Township of Tiny
Contact: Maggie Off, Community Engagement Coordinator
Locations: 130 Balm Beach Road West
Phone: 705-526-4204
Email: moff@tiny.ca
Website: www.tiny.ca
Mission: A committed team providing extraordinary municipal services.
Volunteer Opportunities: Litter Pick-Up, Trail Monitor, Dog Park Monitor, Special Events, Advisory Committee Member, Program Attendant (Shuffleboard, Pickleball, Art Cooperative), Stewardship Initiatives, Soccer Coach, Community Gardener and more.
Services For: The community.
Requirements: Vary depending upon the volunteer position. Contact Maggie Off for more information.
VON
Contact: Jennifer McLellan, SMART Program Coordinator
Location: 14 Cedar Pointe Dr., Unit 1501, Barrie, ON L4N 5R7
Phone: 705-737-5044 ext. 221 Fax: 705-737-1903
Mission: VON Canada works in partnership with Canadians for a healthier society.
Services provided for: Community Support Services are provided for seniors.
Volunteer opportunities: SMART (Seniors Maintaining Active Roles Together) ® Exercise Program, which involves leading seniors in exercises 1:1 or in a group setting.
Requirements: Minimum age is 18. Volunteer application form with two references, criminal record check and vulnerable sector search.
Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care
Contact: Diane Desroches (Talent & Volunteer Services Coordinator)
Locations: Penetanguishene
Phone: 705-549-3181 ext 2219
Email: ddesroches@waypointcentre.ca
Website: www.waypointcentre.ca
Mission: We are a Catholic hospital committed to providing excellence in specialized mental health and addictions services grounded in research and education and guided by faith-based values.
Volunteer Opportunities: We offer a variety of opportunities for volunteers who are interested in assisting people who have mental illness with direct and in-direct care opportunities that include: Pet therapy, spiritual care visitors, entertainers, one-to-one visitors, activity assistants, income tax assistants
YMCA of Simcoe Muskoka
Contact: Tasha McPhee, Human Resources & Volunteer Assistant
Address: 22 Grove St. West, Barrie, Ontario, L4N 1M7
Phone: 705-726-6421 ext. 239
Mission: The YMCA is dedicated to the growth of all persons in spirit, mind and body, and to their sense of belonging to each other and the global community.
Volunteer Opportunities:
Membership Services, Fitness & Recreation, Facility, Community Services, Child, Youth & Aquatics, Fundraising & Events.
Services provided for: Everyone in the community.
Requirements: Requirements vary depending on volunteer positions. All volunteers must complete an application and provide (3) references. The majority of volunteers providing service in YMCA programs must complete our mandatory training such as: Child Protection Training, AODA, AODA (I), B168, Health & Safety Awareness and Payment Card Industry for volunteers over 16. Volunteers over 18 also need to submit a police reference check with a vulnerable sector screen. Volunteers who work in adult fitness must be 16 or older.
