Summer Respite Volunteer

Volunteers are needed at the Centre for Autism Calgary location! 

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

Respite provides families with short-term, temporary relief allowing parents time to rest, relax and rejuvenate while children are given an opportunity to socialize and engage in recreational activities in a supervised setting. Respite includes children ages 5 to 12 for families who are members of the Centre.

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
• 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
• 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 Centre for Autism Services Alberta, our mission, vision, goals, values, programs and services


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
• 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