Assignment: Ready for School Event Volunteer

Program Overview

·     In Ontario, 17.2% of youth under the age of 18, and one in five children under the age of six, live in poverty. The added burden of preparing for the first day of school only intensifies the pressure experienced by their families. United Way is leveraging its community connections to ensure that elementary school-aged children have a positive and well-equipped start to the academic year.

The Ready for School program focuses on providing children with essential school-related items for their first day of school. Eligible participants must be referred to the program through their school or a local social services agency. They are then paired with a volunteer and able to attend a shopping appointment with their parent or guardian and empowered to purchase something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read to begin the new school year on the right foot. All purchases must be selected by the child, and school-related.

Purpose

·    To assist low-income youth clients and their parents/guardians in shopping for back-to-school supplies including clothing, supplies, and books. Volunteers will accompany the child as they shop, and keep track of costs as they accumulate. Volunteers will also be responsible for managing & safekeeping of all receipts and the gift card.

Tasks

• Attend meetings regarding the Ready for School Program as necessary
• Assist youth clients and their caregiver(s) with shopping for program-related items; tracking the dollar value of items, managing gift card, and keeping all receipts organized
• Assist with setting up and running the registration/sign-in table as necessary
• Any other tasks as assigned on Event Day by the Program Coordinator and/or United Way staff

Responsibilities

·   Attend the orientation & training sessions

·   Be aware of, understand, and adhere to the Program’s objectives and all relevant internal Policies including Code of Conduct, Confidentiality, Accessibility, etc.

·  Attend the venue on Event Day and participate to the your best ability; assisting shoppers in selecting Program-applicable items, carrying/transporting items, and keeping a running total of the value of their items

·   Treat clients, venue staff, United Way employees and other volunteers with respect and dignity

·   Decline any offers of monetary reward for your services (donations to UWCNEO accepted)

·   Maintain an attitude that reflects positively on the Ready for School program, the host venue, and the United Way

Time Commitment

• Mandatory training will take place prior to Event Day
• The Ready for School event is a two-day event with 3-hour or 6-hour shift blocks, on either a Thursday or Saturday; volunteers can work 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Thursday or Saturday, or opt for the 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 1 p.m.-4 p.m. shifts on either day.

Skill Requirements

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Reliable
• Ability to take direction
• Organized
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Basic math skills

Training and Skill Development

·    Orientation is provided by United Way staff

·   Reports to the United Way Program Coordinator or designate

Working Conditions

• Volunteers will work in person at the Ready for School shopping location (New Sudbury Centre - Lasalle)
• Ability to lift up to 30 lbs. an asset
• Ability to stand and walk for long periods of time

Benefits

• Giving back to the community
• Helping to assist local low-income children
• Gaining new knowledge & skills and improving existing skills
• Working with a great team
• Attending our volunteer appreciation event