April 24-30, 2022 is National Volunteer Week in Canada
This year’s focus on National Volunteer Week is Volunteering is Empathy in Action. The empathy, compassion and generosity of volunteers creates connected communities and builds a stronger Canada.
Home Suite Hope celebrates the many volunteers – corporate and individual – who help us assist single-parent families move from homelessness and poverty to stability. Next week, HSH will release its annual Appreciation Report in which we spotlight the many who help HSH – as well as sharing the impact their support has on our families.
For those new to HSH, there are lots of ways to get involved. There is always the option of making a donation through CanadaHelps
It’s also possible to answer our calls to action for donations, campaigns, events and more.
There are many ways to become involved and we invite you to do so. Here are a few:
LOTS OF OPPORTUNITIES – FOR EVERYONE at HSH
Blueberry Fields Community Garden (Seasonal) – May through October
Volunteers work in the community garden doing weeding, planting, harvesting, etc. spring through September.
Empty Bowls Annual Fundraiser – mid-to-late October
Volunteers help packing soup kits prior to delivery and/or help in delivering soups according to predetermined routes.
Hope4Holidays Annual Holiday Fundraiser – late November to mid- December
Volunteer groups could sponsor a family by purchasing gifts for family members as outlined on a wish list from the family or help with gift wrapping prior to gift delivery.
Calls to Action
Groups can assist with specific calls to action, as needed, to meet needs that arise ie. Collection of toiletries, cleaning supplies, gift cards.
Life Skills Facilitators
We welcome experienced individuals to create a pre-recorded video workshop for a range of essential life skills, including food literacy, financial literacy, household chores, parenting, and more!
Professional Development Day Facilitators
We welcome experienced individuals to develop a pre-recorded video or facilitate a live half-day workshop on professional development topics such as LinkedIn/Social Media platforms when job searching; how to ask for a salary and negotiate job offers/positions; how to prepare an elevator pitch; how to read your pay stub; understanding corpor ate benefit packages, and more!
Mentorship
Our mentoring program connects our eager single parents with community members who want to see them succeed. Home Suite Hope’s mentoring program started with its Homeward Bound Halton program as a means to help students network and prepare for their new careers. We believe mentoring – professional or informal – helps empower people by providing positive models and networking opportunities.
Industry Council
The Industry Council is a group of senior executives from a variety of fields with decision-making authority who meet throughout the Homeward Bound Halton program to support the professional advancement of participants in the program. The Industry Council is a group made up of eight to 12 representatives from organizations including private sector businesses, non-profit and public sector employers, community champions with influence in the community and representatives from employment services at the local college, municipality or community services organization.
For information about volunteering with HSH, please contact the following:
HSH Volunteer Coordinator Kinda Jazeh at volunteers@homesuitehope.org
HSH Administrative Assistant Angela Blackburn at info@homesuitehope.org