Summer Respite Volunteer

Volunteers are needed this summer!

The summer program volunteer will assist CFASA staff with creating a social, fun, safe and enjoyable learning environment under the guidance of the CFASA staff member in charge.

Our summer programming (respite) is designed for participants to stay active, engaged, and creative while school is out. With a mix of indoor and outdoor activities, hands-on projects, and group games, each day offers something new to explore in a safe and supportive environment. It’s the perfect way to build confidence, make new friends, and enjoy everything summer has to offer.

Schedule: 
June 29 – July 3 (no shift July 1)
July 6 to 10
July 13 to 17
July 20 to 24
July 27 to 31
August 4 to 7 (no shift August 3)
August 10 to 14

Shift time and Minimum commitment: 
•	Shifts are Monday-Friday 8:15 A.M – 12:00 P.M OR 12:00 P.M-3:45 P.M  

Minimum commitment: EITHER OF THESE: 
•       one day a week for 7 weeks OR 1 full week (any of the 7 weeks)
•	We are asking for a strong commitment to scheduled shifts! Cancellations have an impact!

Volunteer responsibilities: 
• Assist with set-up and preparation at the beginning of your shift
•Greet participants and their families upon their arrival and direct participants to the appropriate area 
•Assist in creating a creating a social, fun, safe and enjoyable group environment 
•Assist & encourage those individuals participating in the activities
•Participate in activities: play, sing, dance, games, sports
•Act as a peer model (physically model, repeat instructions)
•Socialize, form trust and build relationships
•Take initiative with child led activities, for example if a participant wants to use some crafting objects that aren’t in the open, to go get those items
•The volunteer may be assigned to working one-on-one with a participant to further support their social skill development
•Communicate with staff when you have questions/concerns or are unsure of something
•Help take participants back and forth to bathroom/change room (but never go into bathroom or changing stall)
•	Assist with safety in the public ex. holding hands to go to the park 
•	Lunch/snack time: sit with, prompt to eat, open packages (volunteers don’t physically feed)
•Follow the guidelines regarding safety 
•Actively participate with staff in de-briefing meetings and clean up at the end of class as required 
•Gain a thorough understanding of the CFASA for Autism Services Alberta, our mission, vision, goals, values, programs and services
•Swimming: for swimming shifts volunteers are asked to get in the water to swim with the participants, to play and keep them safe, help them put life jackets on, help take participants to the change room (wait outside). If volunteers are not comfortable swimming they can choose shifts on days that the group doesn’t go to the pool


Qualifications/Competencies Required:
• Have a love of people and appreciation for the diversity of individuals with Autism
•Be extremely comfortable being silly, playing, engaging in imaginative play and having fun
•Possess good interpersonal and communication skills
•Be outgoing, social and able to engage with a diverse group of people
•Have a good attitude and be eager to learn
•Be able to read, follow instructions and work independently
•Must demonstrate superb reliability. Absences without notice are not tolerated 
•Be able to: run, crouch, bend, stand, sit on the floor and be active during the majority of your shift
•Be willing to accept feedback on your performance and make changes as necessary 
•Be willing to make the minimum commitment of 3 sessions total (each session is 6-8 weeks)
•Have the ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality 
•Have a willingness to develop or further develop behavioural skills 
•Have a clean Clear Criminal Record Check and Child Intervention Record Check (renewed every 3 years) *free to do through us