Volunteer, Safer Spaces Hoarding Support (Toronto)

Mental Health, Coaching, Motivational Interviewing

Founded in 1925, VHA is a not-for-profit, charitable organization made up of over 3,000 diverse professionals - nurses, personal support workers, rehab therapists, home support workers, extreme cleaners, and office support staff. Together, we provide high quality care, with great heart, to vulnerable populations in the communities we serve. This includes seniors, families, new parents, newborn babies, people with physical and mental disabilities, children with medically complex needs, and the terminally ill. We provide service 24 hours a day, seven days a week to clients in their homes, in schools, in retirement homes and other locations in the community. In every role and at every level, we lead with purpose, build bonds that matter, and we’re passionate about providing spectacular care. VHA Home HealthCare (VHA) believes that quality care begins with quality people. Our volunteers work directly with our clients and make a difference in people’s lives every day. We’re looking for volunteers who share and enhance VHA’s values.

Role Description: Improve quality of life of clients in the Safer Spaces, Hoarding Support Volunteer program. The program is designed to help vulnerable, isolated individuals with hoarding tendencies de-clutter, sort and organize their homes. Developed from a harm reduction approach, we provide clients with opportunities that help improve their social, physical, mental and emotional health.

AREA SERVED: Toronto, York, North York, East York, Etobicoke, Scarborough, Midtown, Downtown

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS

Assist clients to de-clutter and organize their living space
Assist clients to let go and discard items
Assist clients to establish realistic and client-driven goals for organization, maintenance, and safe living

Other responsibilities

Work with clients at their own pace, while maintaining clear goals
Foster and establish appropriate use of cleared living spaces
Be attentive to client's emotional state
Volunteers will be matched with 1 client and provide weekly support.
Submit Volunteer Log to the Supervisor after each visit
Report concerns immediately to the Program Supervisor
Maintain confidentiality of client information
Notify the Supervisor if unable to volunteer as per schedule
Attend supplemental meetings

TIME COMMITTMENT

3 hours/week plus travel time
12 weekly visits make one volunteer assignment
Visits happen on weekdays between 9am-4pm only

QUALIFICATION

Strong active listening and oral communication skills to work one on one with client in client's home
Motivated and patient
Some experience in mental health and an interest in hoarding
Comfortable working with a client in their home; small, tight spaces
Friendly, reliable, responsible, non-judgmental
Able to act independently within the boundaries of the position description and client needs and goals
Creativity in planning and implementing activities
Knowledgeable of available community resources (For example: local dumpsters, community health centres, donation drop-off facilities etc.)
Coaching, tutoring, teaching, mentoring experience, an asset

BENEFITS

Receive excellent training provided by VHA's professionals
Further develop skill sets in working in mental health
Personal growth and professional development
Resume building
Make an impact
Reference Letter after 100 hours of successful service

ORIENTATION, TRAINING, SUPERVISION

Role Orientation/Training provided
Volunteer Meeting with training component
Supervisor will be available for feedback and support
Report to supervisor on a weekly basis and submit weekly log

SCREENING

Resume
Application form with 2 supervisory references
Interview
Signed Volunteer and Confidentiality Agreements
Clear Vulnerable Sector Screening

Paid Positions available after volunteering (subject to change). For more information and how to apply, contact Volunteer Services:

Roxana Condo, Supervisor of Safer Spaces Volunteer Program.

416-489-2500 (follow prompts #2, #6, #2)

If you require accommodation to participate in the screening process, please let us know.

VHA Home HealthCare

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Volunteer, Safer Spaces, Hoarding Support (Mental Health)