VOLUNTEER
OPPORTUNITIES
A whole new world of friendship
Come join us in helping newcomers settle into the community. It's
a great way to make friends, learn about a different culture, increase
interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills, and gain
a sense of fulfillment in helping others. MAGMA offers the following
volunteer programs:
Host Program
Volunteers offer their friendship and support to landed immigrants
or refugees in order to help them become part of the community. They
can assist newcomers by helping them find and utilize services in
the area, get used to their new home and unfamiliar household appliances,
discuss hopes and fears about settling in a new country, etc. There
is no financial obligation. We ask for a commitment of one to two
hours per week for approximately one year.
Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC)
Teaching Assistant Volunteers help English and French language
instructors teach English or French to newcomers in the classroom.
The volunteer commits to one morning or afternoon per week for a
period of three months.
Conversation Circle
An informal means by which volunteers can get together with newcomers
in a group setting. Different topics are suggested and volunteers
help newcomers with pronunciation and vocabulary.
Special Events
Every year, MAGMA holds an evening of international Cuisine and
entertainment that is open to the public to promote cultural appreciation
and understanding. MAGMA also hosts the Children's Snowflake Party
every December. Several volunteers help in the organization and
hosting of these annual events.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. Is there any training or
orientation provided for new volunteers?
A. Yes, the coordinator of
the Host Program will provide volunteers with an orientation and
ongoing training.
Q. You ask for a volunteer
commitment of one year. What if I can't fulfill that commitment?
A. Sometimes you must step
aside to meet other obligations. We understand that this happens
from time to time. We will simply find another volunteer to take
your place.
Q. What if I only want to work
with one member of a family?
A. No problem! Sometimes our
volunteers focus on the needs of one newcomer within a family.
Q. What if I don't get along
with my selected newcomer?
A. This rarely happens. However,
you are under no obligation to remain in a situation where you are
not comfortable. You simply ask to be assigned to another newcomer
or decide that this type of work is not for you.
Q. What if my newcomer family
asks me to do something I don't want to do?
A. Just say no - politely and
firmly. As the person offering the helping hand, it is you who must
decide how you want to assist the newcomer, be it tutoring or providing
transportation assistance, etc. Over the first few weeks, you will
define what you will and will not do. The bottom line - if it isn't
something you are prepared to offer, don't do it.
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