Each placement involves certain skills. Placement involving children requires prior exposure to children in a structured setting, such as schools, hospitals, teams or summer camps. If you do not have this experience, you might be eligible to volunteer to support adult, parent or Centre services.
Placements in our clinical programs are weekly, usually for 3 hours; duration is typically 3-6 months, depending on the program. Short term placements may also be available, provided that significant contact time is attained. Not all programs are available at all times. Non-clinical placements vary in length, duration and frequency.
Volunteers are not expected to have much exposure to autism. Our main focus is on qualities such as reliability, regularity, and a love for learning. Our orientation and training will help you learn more about the disorder.
After the interview, we will review your skills in light of our needs. Once we offer you a placement, we move on to your reference, medical form and police check. Your first day will usually be two to three weeks after our meeting.
Volunteering at Geneva Centre for Autism can be an advantage in finding a paid contract position. Volunteers compete for and often successfully fill our part-time or full time positions. As you develop and demonstrate your skills while volunteering this may prepare you, when positions open, to be considered for a paid position. Please do not offer to volunteer if you are actively job searching. A new job might conflict with your volunteering schedule; so contact us after you have secured employment.
As in most social service agencies, volunteers at our Centre must be 16 years of age or older. Experience, judgment and availability are all important qualities in volunteers. When you turn 16, we welcome you to apply for the volunteen program.
Our volunteer program only serves the Greater Toronto area. If you foresee problems with long travel in poor weather, we will suggest alternative volunteer programs closer to your home.
When you can devote at least a three-hour weekly commitment slot for at least 3 months, contact us. Persons with autism depend on regular, reliable personal contact, and our programming requires this.
Persons with autism find it awkward to deal with changes in their routine, so we permit observation by arrangement with the family and staff. When you start, you will be on probation so you can get a feel for what you will be doing.
We are happy to provide references. We usually give verbal references, unless a written letter is required for academic applications.
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