Why join our team of committed volunteers?
Volunteers are vital to our mission. Our volunteer positions are meaningful and have a positive impact on children and families as well as our community. Contribute your time and talent to support various volunteer opportunities with KidsAbility and the Foundation.
Either way, you’ll feel great knowing you’re helping to transform lives.
KidsAbility Volunteers have helped support our programs and services for many years, dedicating their time and talents to help children, youth and families realize their potential, while realizing their own.
Our volunteers gain valuable experience in an environment where diversity is embraced and celebrated, supporting therapy and recreation programs, and special events.
Please see all current volunteer opportunities below:
Start Date: TBD
When: ETS runs 5 days per week (Mon – Fri) with the following daily schedule:
Morning classroom session: 8:45 – 11:30AM
Afternoon classroom session: 1:15 – 4:00PM
Locations: Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge and/or Guelph
What you will do:
ETS classroom support volunteers will assist with tasks in the classroom such as, setting up the space with toys and activities, cleaning before and after sessions, supporting the classroom team and children during transitions, facilitating play in the classroom with direction from Instructor Therapists and at times, material preparation.
Your Skills:
Being creative, fun, and engaging when interacting with children aged 3-6 with autism in the ETS program, confidence to jump in and help when needed, ability to take direction from the Clinical Supervisor and Instructor Therapists related to daily needs, ability to be engaged in the classroom and to take initiative.
If interested in this opportunity, please email Volunteer Services and let us know which location and time slot you’d be interested in each week and when you’d be looking to start. We will check if we have openings during that day/time and begin the volunteer registration process with you.
Start Date: TBD
When: Our Clinical Assistants work 5 days per week (Mon – Fri), and can support volunteers during the following times:
Morning session: 8:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Afternoon session: 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM
We would prefer volunteers work a minimum of 2-3 or more days per week in this role.
Locations: Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge and/or Guelph
What you will do:
Volunteers will support clinical assistants by supporting room set up and clean up, material preparation, toy sorting, maintenance and toy cleaning.
You will be onsite and available to clinicians running group sessions and individual sessions as needed.
Your Skills:
You’re organized, flexible, responsible and computer-savvy. You’re, a strong communicator who is eager to take on any task that supports clinical workflow. Interest in working with Speech-Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapists, Social Workers, Instructor Therapists and/or Board-Certified Behaviour Analysts.
If interested in this opportunity, please email Volunteer Services and let us know which location and time slot you’d be interested in each week and when you’d be looking to start. We will check if we have openings during that day/time and begin the volunteer registration process with you.
Start Date: Fall 2024 – Official date TBD
When: Mondays and Wednesdays – Time TBD
Location: Kitchener
What you will do:
Volunteers will support recreation therapists by assisting room set up for the bike program, moving bikes if needed, accompanying clients and caregivers in hallways for practice, walking clients to and from the group, cleaning equipment, and putting away bikes and equipment at the end of the session.
Your skills:
You’re flexible and responsible, with strong interpersonal skills. You’re able to lift and move up to 30 lbs, and you can walk and run short distances .
If interested in this opportunity, please email Volunteer Services and let us know which time slot you’d be interested in each week and when you’d be looking to start. We will check if we have openings during that day/time and begin the volunteer registration process with you.
Whether you have previously dedicated your time, are currently volunteering your time or are considering donating your time, we thank you. The time and talent of volunteers enhances the work we do and helps make our mission possible.
Contact Volunteer Services for more information.
Join us! Bring your skills and expertise to contribute to supporting special events that raise funds for the greatest needs of children and families in our communuty! You may even choose to contribute to short-term Foundation projects.
Connect with our Foundation Office and let us know where you would like to support. Alternatively, request to be added to our mailing list. That way you learn of opportunities we are actively recruiting for, like volunteering with our Emerging Leaders Council.
Our Foundation is seeking passionate and dedicated individuals reflective of our diverse community to join our volunteer team as members of our Board of Directors or as community members of a committee. A strong background in legal, governance, finance, accounting, investments, human resources and/or fundraising would be very beneficial to the current board and committee complement.
Board of Directors positions
KidsAbility Foundation is directed by a board of up to 16 directors who have the responsibility of leading, developing and approving the strategic direction of the Foundation and establishing appropriate governance and risk management strategies to support the Foundation and its mandate. The Board meets seven times annually with a mix of virtual and in person meetings. Members of the Foundation Board:
- Participate in the development, approval and monitoring of the Foundation’s strategic plan, fundraising plan, annual operating and capital budgets.
- Act as ambassadors in the community to build relationships and support Foundation staff in fundraising initiatives.
- Oversee good governance and risk management/mitigation practices of the Board and Foundation.
- Hire, support, assess performance and determine compensation of the Executive Director.
- Monitor the organization’s performance against performance standards.
- Prepare for and participate in Board of Director meetings (seven per year; mix of virtual and in person)
- Typically participate on one Board Committee (approx. four meetings per year),
- Serve a term of three years and be eligible for renewal for an additional three-year term.
Community Committee member opportunities
The Foundation has community member positions on both our Finance & Audit Committee and Investment Committee. Community Members are appointed for their expertise to serve on a designated committee to act as a resource and provide additional support to the committee and the Board in their fiduciary obligations. Community members are voting members of the committee on which they serve but are not members of the Foundation Board of Directors. Committees meet virtually an average of four times annually.
If you are looking for an opportunity to work with a dynamic team of staff and volunteers and support the life changing services KidsAbility provides to children, youth, and families. Please submit your application using this form. Applications due by April 30, 2024.
If you have any questions or require any accommodations during the selection process, please connect with Jenna Allan at jallan@kidsability.ca or 519-886-8886 ext. 1293
Successful candidates will be required to undergo a Vulnerable Sector Screening Police Check.