Volunteer Opportunity - Lead Volunteer (Honorarium) Connect Through Homework - SFU Surrey TD Community Engagement Centre

Empower newcomer children through mentorship and homework support!

The Surrey School District (SD36) Welcome Centre provides many programs for newcomer students and families to help children succeed in school and develop social connections. 

The SFU Surrey - TD Community Engagement Centre works with the SD36 Welcome Centre to offer support and mentorship to English Language Learners through the Connect Through Homework program. This program provides mentoring and homework support to young English Language Learners in Grades 4–7. 

We are excited to announce that Connect Through Homework will be offered in-person at Forsyth Road Elementary School this Spring!

Opportunity Description:

The SFU Surrey – TD Community Engagement Centre is looking for one SFU student to fill the role of Lead Volunteer from January 13, 2023 to June 22, 2023.

The Lead Volunteer will be present in-person at Forsyth Road Elementary School to help support the Connect Through Homework program staff and volunteers on Mondays from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm. In addition to supervising the sessions, the Lead Volunteer will occassionally lead presentations or activities and engage in administrative tasks to support volunteer coordination and program operation. 

The Lead Volunteer performs the following duties, with oversight from the Program Manager:

• Assists the settlement workers to lead the prep session with the volunteers from 2:30 pm - 3:00 pm before the program starts to review the plan for the day and assign tasks;
• Debriefs with the volunteers and SD 36 Settlement Workers from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm to plan activities for upcoming sessions and check-in on any concerns, questions, or other feedback. Escalated issues will be reported to the Program Manager;
• Sends reminders to volunteers about upcoming sessions, and checks in with them about the content they needed to prepare for the session; 
• Records volunteer attendance;
• Assists the settlement workers to oversee the program and ensure it runs smoothly;
• Ensures COVID safety protocols are followed;
• Checks in on volunteers and re-assigns teams if needed during or after the session;
• Completes a final program report with reflections, challenges, successes and recommendations.

In this role you will: 

• Learn about the goals of the SD36 Welcome Centre programs and settlement supports in school for newcomers to Canada.
• Acquire knowledge about the Connect Through Homework program curriculum.
• Apply learned knowledge of the program as well as interpersonal, communication, cross-cultural awareness and instructional skills by assisting in the delivery of program activities.
• Apply learned knowledge of the Community Connect curriculum by coming up with new ideas for activities, or by altering existing activities to meet the needs and interests of the children attending the program.
• Apply interpersonal, empathy and relationship-building skills by developing healthy relationships with the children in the program.

Program Logistics

• On Mondays
• Time: From 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm
• Location: In-person at Forsyth Road Elementary School (10730 139 St, Surrey, BC V3T 4L9)
• Dates: Connect Through Homework will take place from January 23, 2023 to June 19, 2023

You can expect to work up to 5 hours a week from January 13 to June 22, 2023. Upon successful completion of the role, the Lead Volunteer will receive an $400 honorarium ($200 per semester). 

Mandatory Training Session:

• Date: Monday, January 16, 2023 
• Time: 3:00 pm - 5:30 pm 
• Location: Music Room at Forsyth Road Elementary School

Requirements:

• Be a current SFU student (undergraduate, graduate, or continuing studies) or SFU alumni;
• Be passionate about helping those in the community and making a difference;
• Cultivate a positive and energetic attitude;
• Have a strong commitment to fostering a supportive team environment;
• Demonstrate effective interpersonal and communication skills;
• Possess excellent organizational and problem-solving skills;
• Be excited to work with people with diverse backgrounds and personalities;
• Have experience or a strong interest in working with children, youth, and newcomers to Canada;
• Be dependable, flexible and resourceful;
• Provide the SD 36 Welcome Centre with a copy of a Criminal Record Check.

HOW TO APPLY:

To apply, please send your resume and your answers to the following questions by email to Saba Fatemi (sfatemi@sfu.ca) – Programs Manager in SFU’s Office of Community Engagement:

1. Why do you want to apply for this position?
2. What personal and professional strengths would you bring to the position?
3. Why is it vital to engage children and youth in the City of Surrey?

Please note, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.

Deadline: Tuesday, January 10, 2023 | 11:59 PM