Can you imagine being isolated with no family, friends or social support?
This is unfortunately the reality for many isolated seniors living alone in downtown Toronto. But you can make a difference today and help them feel that you care!
We are recruiting volunteers who are willing to spend time with isolated seniors and to provide companionship through a weekly visit in their homes or accompany them to their medical appointments or take them to grocery shopping, or by calling them once a week to provide reassurance. Read More
You are matched with a senior for weekly 2 hour visits to provide ongoing companionship and emotional support.
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Accompany our seniors to and from their medical appointments or to grocery shopping.
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Facilitate group activities for our seniors during their Tea and Talk gathering. Chat with them while having coffee or tea together.
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Call our seniors via phone once a week to provide emotional support, reassurance of their safety and well-being.
1. Complete a volunteer application if:
You are at least 18 years of age. Note: Applicants under 18 years of age can apply to volunteer for our special events (i.e. Christmas Gift Giving Program, TTC Subway Awareness Day, etc.).
You can make a minimum 6 month commitment (or 1 year for Friendly Visitor volunteers).
2. Complete a 5-10 minute phone introduction.
3. Complete a 1 hour in-person interview.
4. Provide 2 references.
5. Complete a police vulnerable sector check.
For volunteer related inquiries, please contact:
Volunteer Recruitment and Training Specialist
vrts@societyofsharing.org
The volunteer must be:
• 18 years old or older
• Interested in the well-being of seniors
• Comfortable spending time with seniors
• Reliable, trustworthy, and honest and must have strong interpersonal communication skills
After your interview, your vulnerable sector screening (police check) and reference background check must be completed. This process normally takes 8 to 12 weeks. During this time, you may begin participating in training workshops and educational sessions. Once you have received your police check and forwarded us a copy, a letter of confirmation will then be given to you.
We serve the area between Bathurst Street to the West, Logan Avenue to the East, St. Claire Avenue to the North, and the Waterfront to the South.
Of course not! We have several volunteers who do not live in Toronto but go to work and school in the city. They arrange their own time and transportation to meet our seniors.
No, you do not need a car to volunteer. We will happily reimburse you for any TTC tokens or tickets used. The Agency or our volunteers cannot provide transportation as we do not have transportation insurance coverage at this time.
We require a minimum of one year commitment for volunteers in the Friendly Visiting program and six months for volunteers in the Medical/Shopping Escort program.
It is important to have your vacation. Be sure to let your client know in advance. If the client would like someone to make calls to him or her while you are away, the office can arrange this with advance notice. Please notify us at the soonest time about any changes in your volunteer hours.
Yes, we provide training workshops, lectures and online trainings for volunteers to further enhance their knowledge and skills in providing services. Some topics include friendly visiting, mental health, and other issues relevant to the work of volunteers. This is offered free of charge to our volunteers.