Volunteer Social Support Program
The Volunteer Social Support Program is designed to improve access to social services for refugee claimants in the Waterloo Region by involving internationally-trained, professionals and social work students (those in social work, community development, and the social sciences), as Social Support Volunteers with MCRS. Social Support Volunteers provide in-office support to families by assisting with Ontario Works application, connecting refugee claimants to local shelters and food banks, referring them to counselling centres, and other social services as needed. Volunteers also assist families to access local community resources, follow up and act as liaisons with service providers. The Volunteer Social Support Program was initiated in Fall 2011 with support from the Kitchener-Waterloo Community Foundation.
Highlights
- Volunteer Social Support Program volunteers have helped refugee claimants find housing, contact their Ontario Works case-worker, and helped refugee claimants access community services.
- Volunteer Social Support Program volunteers attended training son how to empower refugee claimants while supporting them through their settlement experience.
Find out more about volunteering with the Volunteer Social Support Program at MCRS!
Program generously funded by the KW Community Foundation:
