Volunteer

Benefits of Volunteering

Alzheimer Society volunteers are people like you that want to make a difference in their community. Join us and you will have a chance to:

• Help make life better for those living with dementia
• Help improve the quality of community life
• Support a cause that you believe in
• Work with other members of the team to achieve a specific goal

Volunteering can also help make a difference in your life. You can:

• Use your professional skills in a new setting
• Meet other people who share your interests and passions
• Learn new skills and discover new talents
• Advance your career or gain experience and qualifications for future employment, scholarships, bursaries and academic programs
• Build your network and establish contacts in your field of interest
• Boost your health and reduce your stress
• Create a schedule that works for you
• Have fun!

Volunteer Application Process

1. Fill out our online volunteer application
2. Complete a one-to-one interview with our Coordinator of Volunteer Programs
3. Sign up and complete our Online Volunteer Training
4. Complete one mandatory in-person Workshop for new volunteers

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers can make a big difference in the lives of people living with dementia. Our orientation and training programs enhance our volunteer’s knowledge so they can go into their role with confidence.

Click here to view all available volunteer opportunities.

Volunteer Rights and Responsibilities

Guiding principles keep relationships balanced between organizations and their volunteers by ensuring they are reciprocal. We are committed to developing and supporting volunteer involvements that benefit both the Society and the volunteer(s).

Volunteers have rights

The Society recognizes that volunteers are a vital human resource and will commit the appropriate infrastructure to support volunteer involvement.

• The organization's practices ensure effective volunteer involvement
• The organization provides a safe and supportive environment for volunteers
• Work in a safe and healthy workplace, to know about unsafe work and to refuse unsafe work
• A supportive environment in which to work and contribute
• Effective and meaningful volunteer involvement practices
• Have input about their role and ideas regarding the program
• Provide feedback and receive feedback when requested and at regular intervals
• Ask for and receive support from their supervisor when required
• Be accommodated for any ability needs to complete non-essential tasks of the role

Volunteers have responsibilities

Volunteers make a commitment and are accountable to the organization.

• Volunteers will act with respect for the cause, the stakeholders, the organization, and the community
• Volunteers carry out their involvement responsibly and with integrity

Click here to view and download the Volunteer Manual for more information.

Accessibility Commitment Statement

The Alzheimer Society of Niagara Region is committed to treating each person in a way that will allow them to maintain their independence and dignity. The Society believes in integration and equal opportunity. We are committed to meeting the needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner, and will do so by preventing and removing identified barriers to accessibility, educating employees and meeting the accessibility requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

Please click here to view our AODA compliance report.

If you require assistance to access our services, please contact:

Roxanne Souter
Director of Programs and Services 
905-687-3914 ext. 537

Testimonials

“With the Alzheimer Society, you are giving so much to the senior community: offering social activities, having fun, and helping our clients recall memories. Volunteering for me has been beneficial for these reasons, plus the joy I see on a client's face when they participate in our social activities."

"As a volunteer, the Alzheimer Society has given me a chance to give back to our community, especially when dealing with this terrible disease. I feel good about myself knowing that I make a difference in people's lives."

"As a volunteer, it makes me feel like the world is larger than my narrow scope and I'm grateful to be involved in improving someone's day."

Volunteer Spotlights

Our volunteers truly make a difference in the Niagara community. Learn more about some of our star volunteers below.

Sophia Alongi

Sophia joined the Alzheimer Society of Niagara Region as a volunteer less than a year ago. Sophia spends her volunteer time between Friendly Visiting, our Aging & Dementia Simulation, Brain Wave Cafés, and many other programs offered by the ASNR.

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Sophia Alongi - Volunteer Spotlight

Sophia Alongi joined the Alzheimer Society of Niagara Region as a volunteer less than a year ago. Sophia spends her volunteer time between Friendly Visiting, our Aging & Dementia Simulation, Brain Wave Cafés, and many other programs offered by the ASNR.

Sophia says that what attracted her most to the ASNR was the “amount of compassion and support that this organization gives to those who need it. Supports such as education on neurological disorders, activities that work to educate the public about the organization's intentions, and providing support to people who may have a loved one who is currently suffering from Alzheimer's disease or any neurological disorder.”

Sophia is motivated to continue volunteering due to “the happiness that clients get when their favorite volunteer comes to visit them, play games with them, or even call them. These simple interactions can make a difference to someone who suffers from this illness. Just showing that you care about the client and about what they have to tell you can be extremely gratifying and rewarding for both the volunteer and the client.”

An area of the ASNR that Sophia believes is particularly important is the Education events, events where information pamphlets are handed out, and information about ASNR programs, services, and events are provided to the general public. Sophia says, “Events such as basketball games, record shows, and other public events provide the chance to show the public what the Alzheimer’s Society really is.”

Sophia would like to provide this insight to anyone considering volunteering, “The act of volunteering, helping people, or educating yourself about a certain cause, can be both mentally and emotionally rewarding, not only for the volunteer but also for the person that you are volunteering for. The act of helping others can do wonders for your own mental health.”