Community Connections Volunteer Program
Are you interested in volunteering directly with newcomers? Do you want to help newcomers learn to access services and connect with our community? Volunteering with Immigrant Services is a fulfilling way to give back to the community.
Volunteers are matched with newcomers and newcomer families to offer one-on-one support with everything from learning how to go to the bank and the grocery store to offering peer support and guidance around applying to jobs and going to school.
Matching activities have been shown to support the two-way street of integration by fostering intercultural awareness and acceptance, and supporting volunteer to better understand the contributions of immigrants and the challenges they face in Canada.
Volunteer Match Activities
Personal exchanges based on needs, interests and hobbies, including:
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providing general orientation and support;
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explaining how to navigate systems and public services;
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developing life skills and offering advice to improve overall well-being;
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preparing and sharing food;
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attending or participating in a cultural or sporting event together; and
Informal language learning to practice and improve English and French skills, including:
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building language skills outside a classroom or workplace;
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interacting beyond the organized group setting of conversation circles;
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dialogue focused on everyday interactions;
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personal assistance with pronunciation and grammar; and
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opportunities to practice English or French in an informal environment to develop the comfort and confidence needed to communicate effectively.
To volunteer as a match you must
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Commit to volunteering a minimum of 4 hours per month for six months
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Complete a screening and orientation process (including a criminal record and vulnerable sector check, and two references)
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Complete appropriate training and attend volunteer orientations
Conversation Circles
Our Women’s and Men’s Conversation Circles provide an opportunity for newcomers in Canada, to come together on a weekly basis for gender specific support and to chat, to connect with others in similar situations and to alleviate loneliness and isolation while arriving at solutions to apply to everyday living in Canada. Conversation Circles are extremely fluid programs as we have a diverse range of attendees on any given day. The primary purpose of the Conversation Circles are to help facilitate positive cross-cultural experiences and associations.
An Opportunity To:
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Promote positive cross-cultural connections
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Create associations that help build a bridge into our communities
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Facilitate a safe space where individuals from all walks of life can come together to learn from each other
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Enhance the development of conversational English
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Share information about services and community resources and activities
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Group and individual language sessions focusing on relevant life skill topics
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Participate in activities and opportunities that help promote public speaking and interviewing skills
Schedule
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Men's Conversation Circles are Saturdays at 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
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Women's Conversation Circles are Fridays at 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM
To Volunteer
Contact: Najib Mangal
Email: nmangal@lfsfamily.ca
Phone: 403-320-1589
Service Location: 1107 – 2 Ave. A North, Lethbridge, AB
Office Hours:
8:30 AM—4:30PM
Monday—Friday, Closed Statutory holidays
