Volunteer Opportunities
Among Friends was designed to run with the support of volunteers. They were involved in most aspects of the initiative and assisted in various capacities, including:
a) Developing agency trainings modules
Each module was created with the support and knowledge of LGBTQ newcomers who have first-hand experiences in accessing services
b) Sitting on the advisory committee
The final phase of the the initiative had 11 advisory board members that included staff from community-based agencies, as well as community members
c) Developing a website and other promotional materials
d) Delivering workshops in agencies (in 2009-2010, volunteers co-facilitated over 27 workshops and trainings to over 350+ attendees)
e) Assisting in planning forums and conferences
f) Mentoring and supporting agencies, staff, volunteers and community members
By volunteering with Among Friends, LGBTQ refugees and immigrants were provided relevant trainings and given opportunities to build community, develop skills, gain valuable experience and participate in Canadian society.
In 2009-2010, Among Friends volunteers contributed over 2000 hours to the project!
Thoughts from some Among Friends volunteers:
“I am proud to be a member of the among friends family and i was happy the day i joined. i learn a lot over the months and it help me to be a better and stronger person today.”
“It was the best thing that happen to me in Toronto. It absolutely changed my life in a very practical. It also changed the way I see things, I see the world. Thanks a ton!”
Finding Friends Video
This video was created by Ranjith Kulatilake, an Access Alliance volunteer, who was actively involved in the Among Friends Initiative.
"The stories our leaders tell us matter, probably almost as much as the stories our parents tell us as children, because they orient us to what is, what could be, and what should be; to the worldviews they hold and to the values they hold sacred." - Drew Westen, NY Times, August 6th 2011
The SharedTime project seeks to document the legacy of volunteerism through digital mediums in order to record the contributions of today's volunteers to motivate the volunteers of tomorrow.
Traditionally, volunteering is viewed as a transactional process but as we move forward to embrace new generations of volunteers, SharedTime will help shift this model to one of transformation and collective impact through the documentation of authentic personal experiences.
View Ranjith's video
