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BECOME A VOLUNTEER LETTER-WRITER TODAY!

Are you passionate about spreading joy and brightening someone's day? Do you have a knack for writing heartfelt letters? Join our dedicated team of volunteers and make a meaningful difference in the lives of seniors in aged care homes in the area and across Canada.  

WHAT WE DO 

We’re an all-volunteer organization that mails cheerful, personal, handwritten letters and cards to elders in care facilities and senior programs. Since April 2020, our dedicated volunteers have sent countless letters and cards in 30 languages, spreading joy and connection around the globe!

WHAT WE OFFER 

• A chance to make a direct and positive impact on the lives of seniors.
• Flexibility to volunteer from anywhere, anytime, year-round as an individual or with a team.
• A special program to verify service hours for students and professionals seeking community service credits. (Separate registration is required.)
• Tips and guidance for crafting personal and meaningful letters available on our website and social media platforms.
• An inclusive environment where volunteers are encouraged to share their own uplifting stories and experiences without making assumptions about the recipient's background or abilities.
• All ages and abilities are welcome! 

IMPORTANT DETAILS FOR VOLUNTEERS

• Ideal volunteer: Writes unique, friendly, conversational letters to connect with the reader and make them feel special. We offer ideas and sample letters on our blog and social media.
• You’ll mail your handwritten letters to one of our partner facilities. After you register with us and write some letters, log on to our user portal to choose a destination.
• We operate on a two-week cycle; please don't sign up for letters until you have the time and supplies to mail them. Every two weeks - e.g. September 15, September 29, October 13, etc. - our mailing list resets, and new requests for letters become available for you to claim.
• Expenses: Postage, writing materials, envelopes. You can send multiple letters in one large envelope to save on postage.
• You won’t know the name of the reader. Address letters as “Dear Friend.”
• This is not a pen pal program; while you may occasionally receive a response, most seniors don’t have the physical ability or resources to write back to you.
• We have no staff, physical office, or phone. Please email volunteer Lindsay for support.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

• Join our team of volunteers and commit to writing letters on an ongoing basis.
• Focus your message on sharing a bit about yourself to make each letter unique and special. Seniors tell us that these personal stories are their favorite part of the letter!
• Limit affirmations and general well wishes, as they can come across as impersonal when overused.
• Avoid sensitive topics such as religion, holidays, health and politics.
• Keep your message positive!
• While handcrafted cards are welcome, they are not required; your handwritten message is what matters most. It doesn't need to be fancy.
• Our partner facilities in Canada are requesting letters in 10 different languages: English, Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, French, German, Greek, Italian, Portuguese, and Russian.
• Create a group activity for your friends, employees, co-workers, classroom or club members.
• Team up with a public library to host a letter-writing event.
• Post our flyer on social media and community bulletin boards at libraries, cafes, bookstores, stationery and craft stores, and apartment complexes.

WHY VOLUNTEER WITH US

• Make a direct and tangible difference in the lives of seniors who may be feeling isolated or lonely.
• Contribute to a positive and inclusive community dedicated to spreading kindness and compassion.
• Experience connection and satisfaction that comes from knowing your words have the power to bring joy and comfort to someone you've never met.

GET STARTED

1. Register with us on our website at https://www.lettersagainstisolation.com/ and choose the registration option that applies to you:

• individual
• student (for students requesting community service hour verification, including student clubs)*
• group

2. Contact Lindsay if you have any questions.

3. THE FUN PART: Write some friendly letters!

4. When you're ready to mail them, log into our web portal and choose a destination facility.

5. Keep an eye out for our email newsletter every Sunday, and connect with us on social media: LinkedIn • Instagram • Facebook 

*Students and professionals requesting official documentation for community service credit should review our Community Service Guidelines and then complete our Registration Form. You’ll work 1:1 with a member of our Student Liaison Team. You will be asked to submit photos of your work for verification. We award one hour of community service credit for every four letters written & sent that meet our guidelines.

Join us in spreading kindness and smiles to senior citizens. Your words will make all the difference!

Poppy Campaign, decoration committee, Colour Party (walking, holding flags and attending multiple events), meat rolls, fundraiser support, and working in the kitchen 

In this role, you will: work with other volunteers to support Auxiliary fundraising goals through customer service and sales from the various operations roles are available in gift shops, cafes, and second-hand clothing stores * roles available at Ajax Pickering (hospital and long term care facility), Bowmanville (in-hospital and off-site), Oshawa, Port Perry (in-hospital and off-site)

*Ideal for Professionals, Graphic Design Graduates or students in the field

We are seeking a candidate who can communicate and write with the brand in mind, as well as plan publicity campaigns and public relations activities

The ideal candidate will have an education or experience in communications, writing, PR, journalism, social media, marketing, or business administration.

HIGHLIGHTS include *website content updating* social media: Brochures & Flyers* create and co-edit with graphic designer* create and pre-program daily / monthly posts* monitor and maintain all social media platforms* Liaison with media, set up interviews* post events on media websites, Carion Fenn Network, Facebook & Eventbrite.

Join us as a Volunteer at the Christian Faith Outreach Centre's low barrier "one stop shop" HUB in Ajax, ON. Your role will be pivotal in providing support and assistance to individuals seeking a wide range of services in a welcoming and inclusive environment. Your dedication and compassion will help make a significant impact on the lives of those we serve.

Key Responsibilities:

- Greet and assist patrons with a friendly and non-judgmental approach, offering guidance on available services.

- Collaborate with referral partners to connect individuals with needed services and resources.

- Distribute basic necessities such as food, hygiene products, and clothing.

- Support resource organization and maintenance in the HUB, including restocking and cleanliness.

- Empower and advocate for patrons, encouraging self-advocacy and steps towards improvement.

- Maintain a safe and inclusive atmosphere, following established guidelines and protocols.

Qualifications:

- Essential qualities include compassion, empathy, and a nonjudgmental attitude.

- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

- Ability to maintain confidentiality and respect privacy.

- Flexibility and adaptability to a dynamic environment.

Training and Support:

Receive thorough training covering de-escalation techniques, trauma-informed care, and HUB services. Ongoing support and supervision provided.

Volunteer one to two hours of your time to help out young moms in the Durham religion by delivering free food bags.

Food delivery days are every Tuesday, where our volunteers meet up at our Ajax office around 12:00 pm to pick up the food bags. They then deliver the bags to pregnant/new moms, and their families in Durham.

Write friendly, personal letters in Italian to senior citizens in aged care homes and programs. Spread joy to someone in their native language!

• Demonstrate empathy and kindness, connect with elders and help them realize that they are special and appreciated.

• Supply your own stationery and ensure adequate postage to mail your letters, or arrange to hand-deliver them.

• Your words will be read and cherished by elders who likely won’t have the physical ability or resources to respond to you.

• This is a remote opportunity. You’ll volunteer from home on your own schedule as your own pace.

Get started whenever you're ready by registering on our website as an individual, student, or group. We offer a program for students and student clubs requesting verification of their letters for community service credit.

General volunteers do a variety of tasks including food service * dispensing pantry goods * monitoring washrooms * coat check * and various other odd jobs.

Girls Inc. of Durham is currently looking for Bingo volunteers!   Volunteers are needed for a 2-hour shift once a week at Delta Bingo and Gaming in Pickering. In exchange for volunteering, Delta generously supports Girls Inc. programs.   A single volunteer shift can raise enough funds to sponsor a girl to attend a life-changing Girls Inc. camp for FREE!   We are looking for individuals who are: -19+ -have two doses of their vaccine -available during the day 

Visit one-on-one with a resident * listen, chat and enjoy some time together

Assist staff with social and recreational activities * work one on one with a client * help with meal preparation, serving meals and other kitchen duties

Assist staff by helping out at community events in Durham Region work in shifts to help staff the CCD booth for a few hours pick up and/or return CCD booth and materials to the local Hub * booth set-up and/or tear down * greet and engage with visitors to the booth * converse with visitors in promoting volunteering, services and other CCD initiatives

Actively recruiting volunteers 
 
Support residents at meal time * assist residents to eat their meals, use safe feeding techniques, monitor residents eating/drinking while observing dietary requirements * encourage interaction and conversation with those at table