Everything you wanted to know about volunteering at Casey House
(but were too busy to ask...)

1. What do Volunteers do at Casey House?  Casey House utilizes over 150 volunteers each year.  Volunteers are involved in all areas of the agency, including resident support, appointment accompaniment, kitchen help, reception, fund raising events & others.
   
   
2. How do I find out about volunteering at Casey House?  Casey House accepts volunteer applications throughout the year.  Information Sessions for people interested in volunteering are held monthly in the autumn and spring.  Individuals who are interested in volunteering must submit an application and references.  Volunteers are encouraged to attend the information session before making a decision.  Applications and reference forms are available at these sessions and staff will assist those interested in arranging interviews, placement and training.  Casey House is committed to ensuring that the rich diversity of the City of Toronto is represented in its volunteer program.
   
   
3. How do I start the volunteer process?  Potential volunteers must complete an application and have an interview with the Volunteer Coordinator.  To become a volunteer at Casey House, potential applicants must meet the time commitment requirements, possess the skills necessary and agree with the mission, philosophy and policies of the agency.  Information Sessions for people interested in volunteering are held monthly in the autumn and spring.  Individuals who are interested in volunteering must submit an application and references.  Volunteers are encouraged to attend the information session before making a decision.  Applications and reference forms are available at these sessions and staff will assist those interested in arranging interviews, placement and training.
   
   
4. Is there a lot of paperwork involved? All new volunteers of Casey House must sign and agree to an Oath of Confidentiality, which protects the privacy of its clients, staff and volunteers. Also, all volunteers who work directly with clients must complete a Police Record check (more information below).
   
   
5. How do I get a Police Record Check? Prior to placement, the volunteer must complete and sign a “Consent to Disclosure of Personal Information”.  The Coordinator of Volunteer Programming can assist with this process.  This is a completely confidential process.  Only the Coordinator of Volunteer Programming has this information and will only share it with the Executive Director if an issue arises. When the Toronto Police Service has completed the search and no information has been found pursuant to the Toronto Police Reference Check Program, a copy of the consent form is received with an appropriate stamp affixed to it.  If the applicant has information on file pursuant to the program, the Toronto Police Service will send a summary sheet to the applicant.  The Toronto Police Service will also send a letter to Casey House advising that the applicant has been sent a summary. Casey House only looks for convictions that relate directly to a person’s ability to safely care for clients (i.e. assault) or related to fraud. A conviction does not necessarily mean you may be precluded from doing your volunteer work.
   
   
6. What is the atmosphere at Casey House like?  Casey House is proud to encourage people living with HIV and AIDS to volunteer with us.  We work with our clients without judgement regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, cultural background, orientation, health status, religion or abilities.  To volunteer at Casey House individuals must agree with and practice acceptance without judgement and caring without question.
   
   
7. What about my personal health? Does that matter?  At Casey House we respect that volunteers may be living with a variety of different levels of health. As a Health Care provider, there are certain screening requirements that all program volunteers must complete in order to keep our residents, staff, visitors and other volunteers safe.  All volunteers who work with clients must take a TB screening test, and may be asked to take Hepatitis or MRSA screens as is required. More information about screening will be provided during the volunteer information sessions.
   
   
8. Are there benefits to volunteering? Yes! Benefits include:
   
   • Personal satisfaction, development & acquisition of professional skills
   • The opportunity to learn team-building skills
   • Some transportation subsidies available
   • Gas & parking reimbursed
   • Peer support & skills training
   • Opportunities to attend events
   
   
9. What qualities do I need? To be a successful volunteer at Casey House, you should possess:
   
   • A commitment to Casey House mission and values
   • The ability to listen and communicate well
   • An openness to learning
   • Calmness, reliability, flexibility, drive
   • A respect for confidentiality & the rights of residents
   • Respect for and appreciation of diversity
   • A lesbian/gay positive outlook
     
   • The ability to maintain strong professional boundaries
   
   
10. What kind of training will I receive? Volunteer training at Casey House includes:
    
    • A 3-hour general orientation
    • A 3-hour AIDS 101 session including an Infection Control segment
    • A 2-hour practical skills training shift on-site (for Support Care volunteers) delivered by a staff nurse.
    • Mandatory ongoing workshops, including HIV & Psychosocial issues, Cultural Competency, Complimentary Therapies, WHMIS and others.
    • Ongoing training opportunities, including First Aid, CPR, Conflict resolution, etc.
    
    
11. What if I have to volunteer to get credit for school or social assistance?  Individuals seeking volunteer work to meet requirements for Community Service Credits, whether they be for school (high school, college or university), Social Assistance or court-ordered, are welcome to apply to volunteer for Casey House, but must meet all the requirements for volunteering, including availability, skills and especially minimum time commitment.  The Coordinator of Volunteer Programming will confirm your acceptance as a volunteer, including proposed shift & hours, once you have completed your training and first shift at Casey House.