Volunteer With Us
Richmond Family Place has volunteers who work with us for varying length of time with a minimum of six months (with the exception of special events). Regardless of the length of time they are with us, each person has left their unique imprint on our community and has helped us to grow and thrive. Take a look at the available positions below and complete the Volunteer Application Form when ready.
Current Positions
Program Support
We are looking for passionate & enthusiastic people to donate 2 – 3 hours a week to volunteer in our playrooms with our Drop In Programs. If you have skills & talents you would like to share (arts, crafts, cooking, sports, reading etc.) this is the volunteer position for you!
The Play & Learn Drop in Program provides an opportunity for caregivers and children ages 0 – 6 years old, to engage in stimulating play-based learning activities and literacy focused explorations.
Responsibilities:
- Help set up & clean up the playrooms, kitchen & washrooms before & after the program
- Prepare craft, playdoh and other activities as needed
- Prepare beverages and food as required
- Interact with caregivers and children who attend the programs, initiating conversation, offering a listening ear and contributing to a welcoming, warm environment
- Work as part of the Family Support Team, under the direction of staff
- Willingness to learn about Richmond Family Place and its services and be able to share this knowledge with families.
- Demonstrate a non-judgemental, inclusive & culturally sensitive attitude to all who attend Richmond Family Place
This position requires a criminal record check. All necessary training will be provided. Our drop on programs take place at our Main Site building, 8660 Ash Street, Richmond, and at various satellite locations across Richmond:
- Cambie Library
- Steveston Community Centre
- Paulik Park
- Brighouse library
- City Centre Community Centre
- Hamilton Community Centre
Volunteers may help at any of these programs.
Thrift Store
We are looking for reliable & dedicated people who would like to spend 3 – 4 hours a week helping us with the day to day running of our Thrift Store.
This position provides lots of opportunity to gain new skills, make new friends and contribute to an organization that supports families with children 0 – 12 years of age.
The Richmond Family Place Thrift Store receives donations of clothes & household items that are sold to generate income which goes directly into supporting the programs and services we offer to the community.
Responsibilities:
- Commit to 1 shift per week, (Monday – Saturday 9.30 am – 12.30 pm or 12.30 – 3.30 pm) at our Thrift Store (8660 Ash Street, Richmond)
- Assist with merchandising, sales, cleaning and sorting duties.
- Provide customer service with integrity, trust and in a non judgemental manner
- Work cooperatively with other volunteers
- Follow all Richmond Family Place standards of practise and work place policies.
This position requires a criminal record check. This job may require lifting, standing & bending on a regular basis.
Sales experience an asset.
A desire to meet new people and an interest in supporting others is important for this role.
All necessary training is provided.
Suitable for anyone from 16 to 99+ years of age!
Special Events
We are looking for energetic people to donate 4-6 hours per shift when we have special events for our organization.
Over the course of a year, Richmond Family Place engages in large scale events to promote our work and to contribute to the larger Richmond community.
If you love a fast pace, community collaboration and have event planning skills, we need you!
Responsibilities:
- Commit to a 4 – 6 hour shift for an event
- Prepare event supplies, help transport supplies (when necessary)
- Help with event set up & clean up
- Contribute to the event through overseeing a booth, leading an activity or taking on a responsibility assigned by the event leader
- Work as part of the event team under the supervision of the event coordinator
- Share information about Richmond Family Place with event participants
- Demonstrate a non-judgemental, inclusive & culturally sensitive attitude to all who attend the event
This position can be a one-time commitment or ongoing, dependant on your availability. All necessary training will be provided. Some of our events include:
- Fundraising Events
- Winter Celebration
- Summer Celebration
- Mother’s Day
- Father’s Day
- Easter Celebration
Office Support
We are looking for highly organized people with an eye for the small details to donate 2-4 hours per week.
If you have office administration experience and are looking for a way to give back to the community, we need you!
Responsibilities:
• Commit to 2- 4 hrs per week
• Assist with office tasks as directed by the office administrator, including filing, shredding, copying. organizing etc.
• Work as part of the office team under the supervision of the office administrator
• Welcome families & guests to Richmond Family Place & assist them in finding the programs & services they are looking for
• Demonstrate a non-judgemental, inclusive & culturally sensitive attitude to all who enter our building & access our services
This position requires a criminal record check. All necessary training will be provided. This position is at our Main Site building, 8660 Ash Street, Richmond.
Fundraising Support
We are looking for energetic people to donate their time to help with the important task of fundraising for our non profit society. Over the course of a year, Richmond Family Place engages in a variety of fundraising activities to help support the programs we offer to Richmond families. We aim to raise over $30, 000 per year through these events.
If you love a fast pace, team collaboration and have event planning skills or fundraising experience, we need you!
Responsibilities:
- Commit to supporting our efforts to fundraise
- Share innovative ideas for fundraising events
- Create community networks that can support Richmond Family Place financially
- Seek out new business partners to sponsor Richmond Family Place financially
- Contribute to fundraising events through planning, implementation etc.
- Share information about Richmond Family Place in the community to raise awareness
- Demonstrate a non-judgemental, inclusive & culturally sensitive attitude to all who participate in Richmond Family Place programs & services.
This position can be a one-time commitment or ongoing, dependent on your availability.
All necessary training will be provided. Some of our fundraising events include:
- Community In Motion
- Dance a Thon
- Raffle Baskets
The Recruitment Process
Richmond Family Place’s recruitment process for volunteers is as follows:
- Completion of a Volunteer Application Form
- Interview with a Volunteer Coordinator
- Criminal Record Check
- 2 Reference Checks
- 1 Month trial with support from trained staff
- Ongoing Support and Training Opportunities
References
We appreciate the time our volunteers give to Richmond Family Place and are happy to try and help with requests for references when possible. Staff may not be able to provide references for volunteers who worked for less than 6 months, or who request the reference more than a year after leaving. Volunteers are therefore encouraged to make any reference requests while volunteering or as they depart. Please contact the member of staff who supervised you regarding your reference.
Volunteer Principles
At Richmond Family Place you, as the volunteer, are a very important person to our organization. You will be a valuable asset to Richmond Family Place, receiving the recognition that you so highly deserve. As a volunteer you have responsibilities, rights and, of course rewards.
Rewards
Volunteering at Richmond Family Place can be very rewarding. Some of the rewards are to:
- Gain work experience.
- Make new friends.
- Gain valuable insight and experience.
- Gain practical use of skills in a new setting.
- Meet personal challenges.
- Work for a cause.
- Receive recognition of abilities.
- Receive satisfaction of a job well done.
- Improve self-confidence.
- Make your community a better place to live.
Responsibilities
As a volunteer, you are responsible to:
- Maintain smooth working relations with staff.
- Be committed to the job at hand.
- Be dependable and sincere.
- Maintain the integrity of the agency and respect all confidences of the staff and clients.
- Be willing to make a time commitment.
- Perform duties promptly, in a reliable manner and with enthusiasm.
- Be willing to learn and take part in orientation and training sessions.
- Maintain good client relations.
- Accept direction and decisions of the Co-ordinator.
- Give reasonable, advance notice if you will be absent.
Volunteer Rights
As a volunteer you have the following rights:
- To be treated as a co-worker and part of our team.
- To a suitable assignment with consideration for personal preference, temperament, abilities, education and employment background.
- To be given a variety of experiences and an increasing amount of responsibility, as warranted.
- To know as much about the organization as possible, its policies, its people, its program.
- To sound guidance and encouragement.
- To be heard and to have a part in planning, to feel free to make suggestions, to be shown respect for an honest opinion.