Volunteer Driver (aka Chauffeur)
Summary
Location
Guelph, Ontario
When
About This Opportunity
Volunteer Drivers work towards the safety and well-being of children and youth by connecting children and parents to each other or to resources that support their family’s wellbeing. This could be driving a new mom and baby for their first check up, taking a dad from Mount Forest to Guelph for caring Dad’s parenting group, driving a child to their weekly counselling session, or taking a family to a medical appointment. Volunteers in this role are ‘chauffeurs’
Please note: This is an IN-person role specific to Guelph and Wellington County. ONLY APPLY if you live in this area and are able to volunteer IN-PERSON. Apply from our website. www.fcsgw.org
Training and Onboarding: The application process can take 6-8 weeks. Pre-Service Training is offered 2 times a year. (March and Sept)
Commitment:
- 8 months to ongoing.
- Days of the week and times are flexible based on the volunteer’s availability.
- Weekend availability is welcome but not required.
Responsibilities:
- Review weekly email with needed drives, select and communicate your availability
- Drive children and/or parent to specified location set by FCSGW (Guelph, Wellington County, and occasionally outside of the county)
- Ensure the safe transportation during the trip o Follow speed limits and general road safety
- Ensure seatbelts are in use
- Ensure car seats are installed correctly
- Carry a cell phone
- Complete and submit monthly log for mileage reimbursement
- Be reliable, punctual, respectful and understanding of last minute changes
- Attend orientation or training sessions
Volunteer Perks:
- Open commitment, opportunity to take as many or as few drives as you wish
- Knowledge that you are working to help keep or reconnect children with parents
- Orientation, Training and support from staff
- Reimbursement for police check, 3 year abstract, vehicle safety check and KM’s
- Opportunities to connect with other volunteers
- Access to a variety of training
You would be a good fit for this role if you:
- Like and enjoy being around children
- Enjoy a variety of people and have a positive outlook
- Patient and have empathy for others
- Understanding that last minute changes or cancelations can occur for a variety of reasons
- Welcoming and passionate about supporting family wellbeing in our community
- Have problem solving skills
Family & Children’s Services of Guelph and Wellington County is committed to the decolonization of the child welfare system while remaining focused on the safety and wellbeing of children with their families and kin. This includes challenging and responding to the structural inequalities experienced by families. Fundamental to the work of Family Services are the foundations of Equity, Anti-Oppression, Indigenous Safety, and Trauma in child welfare using the practice models of Signs of Safety and Family Finding.
Family & Children’s Services of Guelph and Wellington County is committed to working from an Anti-Oppressive and Equity practice and dedicated to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community in which we live and serve. The agency encourages applications from members of an Equity deserving group and/or with lived experience. We are committed to creating an accessible environment for all.
Reach out to volunteer@fcsgw.org or 519-824-2410x2410 if you have any accommodation needs.
Volunteer Requirements
Whether you meet these requirements or not, we encourage you to share your interest in us. You may still be a fit for a different opportunity with our organization.
- Over “age of majority” in province of opportunity
- Driver's License
- Willing to undergo a background or police records check
- Access to car
- Valid Driver's License
- Clean driving record & insurance coverage
- Own cell phone
- Driver License
- Driver License
- 3 year Abstract
- Proof of Insurance
- Car Seat Training (provided)
- Vulnerable Sector Check
- Internal Records Check (CPIN)
- Vehicle Safety Inspection (reimbursed)
- General Orientation/Training -- Provided