Volunteer
Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association truly believes in volunteerism and the potential of all women. Volunteers are a precious resource to our agency and allow us to promote and enhance our services. The mission of the Volunteer Program is to empower immigrant women through volunteering and recruiting exceptional volunteers to support CIWA’s programs and services. Why do you volunteer for CIWA?
Volunteer of the Month
Every year, CIWA volunteers tirelessly provide thousands of hours of support for immigrant women and their families in Calgary. Without their support and contribution, CIWA would not be able to run the day to day activities of the organization. CIWA recognizes the hard work and outstanding efforts that our volunteers contribute every day to our programs and services through our Volunteer of the Month Initiative.
Click here for the volunteer of the month!
Current Volunteer Opportunities
Monday Craft Group
Immigrant women volunteers get together once a week for 3 hours to create small craft projects. Craft activities include; making cards, small felt projects, glycerin soap, potentially small knitting and crocheting, and other craft projects. Volunteers have the opportunity to socialize, learn/share skills and express their creativity with others that share similar interests. The group meets every Monday from 9:30am-12:30pm. All items created will go towards CIWA craft sales.
LINC Classroom Support
The volunteer in this position will discover a great sense of satisfaction knowing they’ve provided meaningful support to language students in need, thus allowing them to better integrate into the class.
Grandma’s Kitchen – Group Support
Volunteers will gain a great sense of satisfaction from meaningful connections with seniors knowing they have helped them grow and flourish. Volunteers will support staff to help foster an atmosphere that provides mentoring and connections to newcomers by sharing their lived experiences.
Teacher Assistant
Volunteers will gain experience in enhancing English communication skills that better enable immigrant seniors. Through this opportunity volunteers are provided an excellent opportunity to teach and assist seniors with lessons that support with participation and integration in Canada.
Program Workshop/Group Support
Volunteers for this position will develop leadership skills through supporting leaders and clients within a program designed to empower and make a difference through innovative service projects. Volunteers will contribute in sustaining a safe and fun environment that fosters friendships and builds self-esteem in young immigrant women ages 15-30.
CIWA Board of Directors Governance Committee
CIWA is seeking dedicated individuals to join our Governance Committee. This is a volunteer position of which committee members play a vital role in shaping governance, risk, compliance, human resources strategies and ethical standards within the organization.
Youth Career Exploration Mentor
Volunteer mentors will make a difference in the lives of youth by supporting them through similar life experiences, help youth with career choices and professional development. Mentors will develop interpersonal and communication skills while learning and being inspired by their mentee.
Career Mentor
Volunteers within this position will positively support and influence newcomer women as they try to gain meaningful employment in Canada. This a great opportunity for the volunteers to gain exposure to fresh perspectives, ideas, and approaches, to develop professionally and personally, to hone their leadership/coaching skills and provide valuable cross-cultural insight in a real-life setting.
Girl’s Culture Club In-School Support
Volunteers who support Girls Culture Club will gain valuable hands-on experience working with youth from 10-17 (pending on location). Volunteers will have fun connecting with youth, build their self-esteem, help girls build connections and friendships.
Group Facilitator, New Friends and Neighborhood Groups Program
Volunteers within this program have a unique opportunity to support immigrant women, and be a part of watching them develop new friendships, enhance their confidence in speaking English while learning more about Canadian culture. Volunteers will be inspired and encouraged by participants while developing facilitation and leadership skills
Youth Career Mentor
The mentor supports and encourages the professional development of the mentee and provides active guidance (such as career exploration, job shadowing, academic/career support and advice, scholarship/ university applications, etc.) to help youth achieve their goals while the mentor shares their experience and expertise as appropriate. The minimum time commitment is two hours per month from September – March with flexibility to choose best times to meet.
Everyday English for Seniors Classroom Support
The project targets both male and female immigrant seniors over 55 years of age. The volunteer will provide both classroom and one-on-one support to students as directed by the teacher. The time commitment is 2-8 hours a week for a total of 16 weeks per intake. Morning and afternoon shifts are available.
Girls Culture Club In-School Support
This program addresses the needs of young immigrant, refugee and visible minority girls between the ages of 10 and 19 through education, cultural awareness and successful integration. All CIWA volunteers are required to provide a Calgary Policy Services security check as well as a Child Welfare Intervention Check.
Volunteer Interpreter
Volunteers who provide interpretation support to clients will gain a sense of satisfaction and pride knowing they are the bridge that spans communication between two people. Oftentimes without the interpreter a clear route of communication doesn’t happen. Volunteers will constantly learn new things, be exposed to a variety of settings, personal and/or professional grown and more.