Volunteer
Volunteer
Make a difference
Become a Volunteer
Our fantastic Volunteer Team enables those we support to participate in various community activities, everything from catching a movie to exercising at a local gym. Volunteers also offer fun and leisurely activities to those we support in the comfort of their own Ongwanada homes and other Ongwanada sites.
CLOSED
Board of Governors
We are actively searching for volunteers to serve on the Board of Governors. If you are interested, please fill out an application form here.
Commitment =three to five hours a month.
Bingo
Elevate your volunteer experience by becoming a face of Ongwanada at The Play! Charitable Gaming Association (PCGA. Here’s your chance to make a meaningful impact while enjoying the excitement of Bingo fundraiser games.
Here’s how it works: PCGA graciously reserves dedicated shifts for Ongwanada on an annual basis. During these games, our organization takes the stage, represented by two dedicated volunteers for a concise but impactful two-hour stint.
As an Ongwanada ambassador, your role is pivotal. You’ll mingle with players, announce card numbers, and ensure the gaming space stays spick and span between rounds.
** Volunteers should be at least 19 years young and commit to a valuable training session at PCGA.
The Friends Program
Just as the title suggests! Share your friendship with another and reap the sweet rewards of enjoying favourite activities, outings, and past times with a treasured friend. So many smiles and special memories are guaranteed.
Commitment = once per week to a minimum of once per month.
Down Time Leisure
Enjoy, relax and unwind while engaging a small group in a game of cards, a craft project, a baking endeavor, a home spa afternoon, or a good old-fashioned board game.
Commitment = once per week to a minimum of once per month.
Classroom Buddy - Adult Day Program Support
Enhance the experience for those attending our adult day program by bringing your enthusiasm and initiative to the classroom. Provide additional interaction for those attending the program via various activities (walks, games and toys, reading).
Commitment = once per week.
Let's Make a Splash - Recreational Swim
Our warm and inviting Hydrotherapy Pool awaits you. Get on your suit and accompany an individual into the soothing waters. Foster, another’s well-being while encouraging movement through recreational pool activities.
Commitment = once per week.
Music Notes - Musical Accompaniment
Share your musical talents, whether it be an angelic voice or the playing of an instrument. Share those sweet sounds to compliment memorial services, Christmas time caroling, Spiritual services, our Circle of a Friends music club, and other special Ongwanada events.
Commitment = varies – can be occasional, on-call, and/or once per week for consistently scheduled groups/services.
Best Buddies - College & University Programs
Be a buddy, be a friend!! In Kingston, this program operates through Best Buddies Canada, Ongwanada, Community Living Kingston, Queen’s University & St. Lawrence College. Students enrolled at either Kingston Post-Secondary School can apply to become a Student Buddy and will be matched/introduced to an individual supported by either agency. Buddy/friend pairs have a blast enjoying community outings together and attending the more significant group-themed events.
Commitment = September to April (school year), minimum twice monthly.
Let's Get Active - Exercise Support/ Guidance
Be the encouragement that another may need to get moving! Join an individual at the local Y.M.C.A. or an Ongwanada site and be their fitness cheerleader while guiding them through their fitness routine.
Commitment = once per week.
The Sunshine Crew - Hospital Companionship
Be someone’s sunshine! Utilize your compassionate nature and sincere smile while cheering up another during a hospital stay.
Simply sitting with someone, holding their hand, or reading to them brightens a hospital stay.
Commitment = on call and as your availability permits.
“It has been such a joy to be involved with Queen’s Best Buddies. It was certainly a highlight of my time as a student in Kingston.”
– Mary Fay – Best Buddy volunteer who graduated from Queen’s University after 4 years in the program.
“It has been such a joy to be involved with Queen’s Best Buddies. It was certainly a highlight of my time as a student in Kingston.”
– Mary Fay – Best Buddy volunteer who graduated from Queen’s University after 4 years in the program.
Volunteering
Specifics
Ongwanada welcomes volunteers who are 16 years of age or older, with the following exceptions:
- If you are under the age of 16, you can volunteer alongside a family member who is 16 or older. It’s always fun to volunteer with another, especially a family member!
- If you are under the age of 16 and a minimum of 14, you can volunteer with us to complete your 40 volunteer hours for High School. Why not have some fun while getting those 40 hours done!!
To further explore joining the Ongwanada Volunteer Team, please call Ongwanada’s Volunteer Services Co-ordinator at 613-548-4417, ext 1163, email at psmith@ongwanada.com, or fill out the form below.
Become a Volunteer
Ongwanada offers fun and extremely valuable volunteer positions. Volunteers holding such positions bring enthusiasm and great passion to the organization while building meaningful friendships with the exceptional individuals we support.
Download the Volunteer Reference Form and send the completed form to psmith@ongwanada.com.
“I am very excited to be heading back to school but I will definitely miss Doug, Best Buddies, and Ongwanada. Best Buddies was the most rewarding experience of my time as a student. Doug became such an important person in my life over these past 4 years. I will miss him dearly but I know that I will continue to stay in contact with him.”
– Anna Streib – Best Buddy volunteer who has graduated from Queen’s University and is headed off to study Physiotherapy.
“I am very excited to be heading back to school but I will definitely miss Doug, Best Buddies, and Ongwanada. Best Buddies was the most rewarding experience of my time as a student. Doug became such an important person in my life over these past 4 years. I will miss him dearly but I know that I will continue to stay in contact with him.”
– Anna Streib – Best Buddy volunteer who has graduated from Queen’s University and is headed off to study Physiotherapy.
About Ongwanada
Our Homes
Stories
Ongwanada Resource Centre
191 Portsmouth Avenue
Kingston, Ontario K7M 8A6
Map
Hours of operation: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday-Friday
Phone: 613-548-4417
Fax: 613-548-8135
Pharmacy Phone: 613-548-4417 ext. 1126/1128
Pharmacy Fax: 613-548-1563
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Charitable Business Number: 107796393RR0001
Registered Name: Ongwanada Developmental Services
File No: OP-24-243
Date Posted: November 12, 2024
Closing Date: Until Filled
Position: Temporary Full Time Transitional Aged Youth Services Worker - Multiple Positions
Location: Cassidy Transition Aged Youth Home
Date of Vacancy: Up to One Year
Hours of Work: 80 hours per pay minimum guarantee
Wage: Hourly: Start - $30.80 6 Months - $31.36 One Year - $31.80
POSITION: To provide short-term transitional community living support to transitional age youth as part of an interagency/community based team for individuals with a developmental disability/mental health diagnosis. Working as a primary transition aged youth services worker for specific persons served. Provide short-term transitional emergency bed residential support for up to two individuals at one time.
DUTIES:
- Teaching and supporting individualized life skills development including self-care, grocery shopping, daily living tasks, communications, budgeting, community living, job coaching, socialization/living with others and accessing community services, guided by evidence based assessment and youth needs;
- Developing goals with the youth supported through weekly independent living skills activities aligned with youth’s identified discharge goals;
- Developing, implementing and evaluating teaching/training opportunities to enhance youth skill development;
- Completing ongoing data collection, recording and analysis as it relates to such factors as, skill acquisition, required medical supports, behaviour etc;
- Monitoring changes in a person served conditions, taking appropriate action and engaging the Supervisor-Clinical Homes and/or appropriate professional i.e. nurse, physician, psychiatrist, psychologist as required;
- Transcribing physicians’ orders and monitoring, preparing and administering medication as prescribed;
- Encouraging choice and supporting persons served to be active in their community in an inclusive, nurturing and healthy lifestyle manner;
- Participation in regular multi-agency meetings to plan and review the progress of each person served based on observable and measurable outcomes;
- Performs organizational and administrative duties and other general duties as assigned
For the complete position description, please contact Human Resources through careers@ongwanada.com
QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED:
- Graduate of a Youth Worker, Developmental Service Worker (DSW), Behavioural Science Technologist (B.S.T) or B.A. Psychology or a Registered Nurse (R.N) or another acceptable post-secondary program;
- Incumbent must have successfully completed/maintain Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Training, and any other course deemed appropriate by Ongwanada;
- Current CPR/First Aid certification;
- Incumbent must have successfully completed a Pharmacology course deemed acceptable to Ongwanada and maintain medication training in keeping with Ongwanada policies;
- Valid G Driving License with full driving privileges;
- Experience working with dual diagnosis individuals as well youth is an asset;
- Experience working in an environment which supports a bio-psycho-social approach, and harm-reduction, would be an asset.
Please submit a Cover Letter and Resume quoting file number to:
Human Resources Specialist
Ongwanada
191 Portsmouth Avenue
Kingston, ON K7M 8A6
Fax (613) 548-8135 Email: careers@ongwanada.com
Please note consideration will be given to internal bargaining unit members before proceeding with external applicants.
