Would you like to join a community that is helping individuals to leave poverty behind?

Led by YWCA Muskoka, Circles® Muskoka is a community collaborative committed to the reduction of poverty by harnessing the power of relationships. Circles® Muskoka helps families and individuals (Circle Leaders) living on lower income and in poverty by assisting them to increase their resources; reasons and relationships to move from surviving to thriving in their lives.

Benefits

Growing your professional network
Feeling like you are making a difference
A sense of meaning and purpose
Supporting others to reach their goals
Participating in personal development workshops
Strengthening your interpersonal and communication skills
Becoming part of a community and sharing a meal 3 evenings a month
Making new friends and having fun!

Responsibilities 

• Maintain confidentiality
• Be an active listener and offer support and encouragement when appropriate
• Provide encouragement towards meeting goals
• Build meaningful relationships with Leaders
• Share life experiences and advice when asked

Role requirements

• Attend at least one Circles meeting per month
• Pass a police background check
• Attend a Bridges out of Poverty’ workshop and Ally training session
• Being open to building friendships across economic lines

• Sharing time, interests and hobbies with people who have an developmental disability
• Committees/Board of Directors
• Offering transportation
• Participating in fundraising at Empower Simcoe Foundation Bingos
• Assisting with fundraising events like our annual Fashion Show and Golf Tournament
• Becoming a peer through our Youth Programs
• Helping young children and families at the EarlyON Child and Family Centre

• Arrive at the Meal Source at the prearranged time.  
• Deliver meals in the order they appear on the route sheet/book. 
• Converse with client to check on client’s well being. 
• Report any problems or concerns encountered in carrying out duties to Home and Community Support Services of Grey-Bruce.

• Provide rides for seniors for the Day Away program and appointments.
• Pick up and drop off clients at a scheduled time

• Provide companionship and friendship to an isolated senior or adult living with a disability by making at-home or over-the-phone visits on a regular basis
• Assist clients with activities that they are no longer able to do by themselves and which are of interest to the client: reading, writing, playing cards/games
• Provide a periodic monitoring of the client's well being

Volunteers needed within various aspects of assisting children and adults with special needs to participate

Volunteers will be responsable for meeting with a clients weekly or bi-weekly to add enrichment to peoples lives. Clients are blind or have vision loss to some degree, which often requires adpaments to life. Volunteers are required to socialse with them and add normal contact back in their lives after the effects of the pandemic. They can go for walks, visit community gardens, really anything the pair would enjoy. The requirement are up to the two people who are paired.