‘Very seldom is it a burden’

The following is a list of volunteer opportunities for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. For more information about these listings, please contact the organization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations but can assist you in finding an opportunity. To learn more about its programs and services, go to www.volunteermanitoba.ca or call 204-477-5180.

• CancerCare Manitoba needs volunteers to prepare and serve refreshments such as coffee, tea and cookies to patients and their families. Volunteers must be 16 or older. They must have strong listening skills and be comfortable communicating with patients and their families, flexible, committed and have excellent hand hygiene and safe food-handling skills. Volunteers must be respectful of people’s differences and able to maintain service standards and stand for up to three hours. Volunteers will receive personal protective equipment and hand-hygiene training, and must wear medical masks while serving refreshments in patient-care areas. Volunteers are expected to commit to one 3.5-hour shift per week during weekday daytime hours. Call 204-787-2121 by Nov. 30.

• Willow Place needs volunteers to help with picking up and delivering donations. Willow Place provides inclusive, no-cost family violence prevention services, 24 hours a day. The ideal volunteer should have a valid driver’s licence and access to a vehicle. They should have good customer service skills, including diplomacy, a positive attitude, good judgment and cultural competency. The ability to speak other languages in addition to English is welcome. Email shannonc@willowplace.ca by Nov. 30.

• Winnipeg’s Contemporary Dancers needs board members with diverse backgrounds and experience who are committed to fulfilling the company’s mission. Board members attend and support events, promote initiatives and might help develop revenue opportunities, including fundraising. The company encourages submissions from people of all genders, cultures, ethnicities, sexual orientations and abilities, and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. The company is particularly interested in people with financial, communications, and/or fundraising skills and experience, as well as those with board experience and strategic foresight. The time commitment is about two to four hours per month, with meetings held in-person 10 times per year. Email communications@winnipegscontemporarydancers.ca by Dec. 30.

• Newcomers Employment and Education Development Services requires in-person language assistants. The volunteers will provide interpretation support to clients while helping staff deliver orientation activities to newly arrived refugee children and youth who have not yet attended school in Canada. Program components include school preparedness, orientation to Winnipeg, English-language skill development, social recreational activities, addressing common settlement stressors and computer classes. Volunteers will help in the delivery of individual and group classroom activities and help with setup and cleanup. They will work directly with clients to develop supportive and productive relationships and prepare clients for entry into the school system. Volunteers are needed Monday to Thursday between 8:45 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Email volunteers@needsinc.ca, go online to http://wfp.to/6I7 or call 204-940-1279 by Dec. 31.

• CNIB needs volunteers for its Vision Mate volunteer program. The program matches sighted volunteers with individuals who are blind or partially sighted for companionship and help with everyday tasks. The program offers opportunities for various activities, such as going for walks, labelling, organizing household items or reading. The program does not include cleaning, personal care or home repairs. Volunteers must have excellent communication skills and be friendly, flexible and willing to learn. Visits are typically one or two hours a week in the person’s home or another suitable place. Apply online at http://wfp.to/6IH by Jan. 31.

• St. Boniface Hospital needs registration ambassadors to guide patients to various appointment locations and deliver well wishes. Volunteers must be able to push a wheelchair and be able to stand and walk for long periods of time. They should have good communication and interpersonal skills and be polite, friendly and outgoing. Volunteers are assigned to one or more volunteer shifts per week. The shifts are weekdays, from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Email sbghvolunteer@sbgh.mb.ca by Oct. 31.

• The Elmwood Unity Walk, a safety patrol group run by the Chalmers Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation, needs volunteers to help create a safer and cleaner community. Duties include going on walks to remove potentially hazardous materials and handing out food and water to those in need. Email cnrcnrg@chalmersrenewal.org or call 204-669-0750 by Nov. 30.

• The Access to Therapy Initiative needs a dedicated person to join its board as director of social media. The volunteer will drive the mission to enhance mental-health accessibility. Email info@accesstotherapy.org before Dec. 31.

• The Canadian Red Cross needs volunteers. When disaster strikes, you can help, and the Red Cross can show you how. Go to http://wfp.to/0pE, email volunteer@redcross.ca or call 1-844-818-2155.