Community Engagement Volunteer

About Bright Lights For Africa Foundation
Bright Lights For Africa Foundation (BLFA) is a Calgary-based nonprofit organization serving marginalized and underserved communities, including Francophones of African descent, newcomers, women, youth, seniors, and low-income families. Through culturally responsive programs, food security initiatives, youth development, community engagement, family support services, and community partnerships, BLFA works to strengthen dignity, access, opportunity, and community wellbeing.

Position Overview
BLFA is seeking caring, reliable, and community-minded volunteers to support a variety of programs, events, and community initiatives. This is a general volunteer role for individuals who are interested in serving the community, helping with different projects, and contributing their time and skills where needed. Volunteers may support food sorting and packing, event setup, program registration, welcoming participants, ushering, organizing supplies, community outreach, clean-up, administrative support, and other activities connected to BLFA’s programs.
No specific previous experience is required. BLFA will provide orientation, guidance, and task-specific training based on the volunteer assignment.

Key Responsibilities
Volunteers may be asked to support one or more of the following areas, depending on program needs and availability:
- Program and Event Support: Assist with setup, registration, welcoming participants, ushering, distributing materials, supporting activities, and helping with clean-up after events or workshops.
- Food Support Activities: Assist with food sorting, food packing, hamper preparation, organizing supplies, and supporting food distribution activities.
- Participant Welcome and Registration: Help greet participants, support sign-in tables, manage registration lists, distribute name tags or materials, and direct participants to the appropriate area.
- Community Outreach and Engagement: Support outreach activities, share program information, help connect community members to BLFA services, and assist during community gatherings or partner events.
- Administrative and Organizational Support: Assist with organizing documents, preparing materials, sorting supplies, basic data entry, filing, and other administrative tasks as needed.
- Team and Space Support: Help keep shared spaces clean, organized, welcoming, and ready for community programs, events, and volunteer activities.

Skills and Qualities
The ideal volunteer should be:
- Respectful, reliable, and willing to help.
- Passionate about community service and supporting others.
- Friendly and welcoming toward participants and community members.
- Able to follow instructions and ask questions when unclear.
- Comfortable working as part of a team.
- Flexible and open to supporting different tasks.
- Organized and attentive to details.
- Respectful of confidentiality, privacy, and participant dignity.
- Culturally sensitive and respectful of diverse communities.
- Able to represent BLFA with professionalism, kindness, and care.

Preferred but Not Required
The following are helpful but not required:
- Previous volunteer experience.
- Experience with community events, food support, registration, outreach, or administrative support.
- Ability to speak French or another language.
- Interest in food security, youth programs, newcomer support, women’s programs, seniors’ programs, or community development.
- Comfort using basic digital tools such as email, Google Forms, Google Docs, or spreadsheets.

Volunteer Training and Support
BLFA will provide volunteers with:
- General volunteer orientation.
- Overview of BLFA’s mission, values, and programs.
- Code of Conduct and confidentiality expectations.
- Task-specific instructions and supervision.
- Support from the Volunteer Coordinator or assigned team lead.
- Opportunities to learn, grow, and contribute to meaningful community work.

Why Volunteer with BLFA?
Volunteering with BLFA is an opportunity to be part of meaningful community service and positive impact. Whether supporting food security, events, outreach, registration, program activities, or behind-the-scenes tasks, volunteers help create welcoming, organized, and supportive spaces for community members.
This role is ideal for someone who wants to give back, meet people, gain experience, support local initiatives, and contribute to programs that serve families, newcomers, youth, seniors, women, and underserved communities.