Supported Volunteer Placements
Inclusion in the community is a natural goal for everyone, including people with disabilities. You can make a difference in the life of a person who is deafblind, as well as those living with a developmental disability who are Deaf, hard of hearing or use non-traditional forms of communication.
Provide a volunteer placement for 1-2 hours/ week in a supported volunteer position at your place of business. Individuals are 100% supported in their volunteer placements to ensure success for both the individual and the business.
Benefits to Business:
- No recruitment costs
- Little to no supervision necessary
- Loyal, dependable volunteer
- Demonstrate your commitment to social inclusion to staff, customers and the community
- Listing as a Community Partner on DeafBlind Ontario Services’ website
We will work closely with your business to identify the position requirements, tasks and goals necessary to support your business.
Become a community partner! Please call us at 1-855-340-3267 ext. 262 for more information!
Community Partners
DeafBlind Ontario Services is grateful to the following organizations who have accepted people we support as volunteers or employees, giving them meaningful work experience and building confidence in their abilities:
- Agilec
- Alcona Esso
- Ayr Branch Library
- Country Style, Peterborough
- East Side Mario’s, Aurora
- Food Bank of Waterloo Region
- Furry Friends, Barrie
- Goodfellow Public School, Innisfil
- Grandview Baptist Church, Kitchener
- Holy Rosary Catholic Elementary School, Waterloo
- Innisfil Fire Department
- Innovation Works, London
- K9 to 5 Doggie Daycare, Newmarket
- Knox United Church, Ayr
- London Food Bank
- Meals on Wheels, Oshawa
- Pefferlaw Library
- Peterborough Fire Services
- Salvation Army, Georgina
- St. Peter’s Catholic School, Barrie
- St. Thomas Aquinas School, Keswick
- The Peggy Hill Team – Keller Williams Experience Realty, Brokerage, Barrie
- Tim Hortons, Kitchener
- Wal-Mart, London
- Westhill Retirement Residence, Waterloo
- Windreach Farm, Ashburn
- YMCA Of London – Centre Branch
- Zubick’s, London
Testimonials
“Knox United Church are more than our neighbours on Northumberland Street, they are a community partner that has warmly welcomed the people we support with deafblindness,” said Amanda Albrecht, Quality Assurance and Planning Professional, DeafBlind Ontario Services.
For over a year, Michael, a young man with deafblindness, has volunteered at Knox United Church.
With the support of an intervenor, he helps fold the bulletins and deliver them to the sanctuary. The intervenor is a communication partner, connecting Michael with members of the church and providing guidance when necessary to encourage independence in his role.
“Volunteering at Knox United Church allows Michael to give back to his community and it gives him a sense of purpose. The administrative tasks have expanded his skillset and he has a strong relationship with many members of the church,” said Jennifer Leung, an intervenor at DeafBlind Ontario Services.
“Michael plays a vital role in our church administration. The work that he does each Friday has freed up our office administrator to take time for other tasks. We are called to live together in community. Working with Michael has been a practical way of living out our faith. Their involvement wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of DeafBlind Ontario Services’ team of professional intervenors,” said Gail Fricker, Minister at Knox United Church.
“We love having Pete here, when he walks in the door my whole insides flutter a bit. Knowing that we can help the community help itself. Peter’s smile is priceless to us, we can’t get that with anybody else”.
– Anthony Abate, Pasta Plus