Volunteer
At JMCC there are many opportunities for families, caregivers, clients and alumni to volunteer and get involved in our Centre. These include:
- Family Advisors
- Family Resource Centre
- Family Advisory Council
- Parents United: Parents Support Program
- Youth Advisory Council
- Therapeutic Recreation Program
If you have a passion to make a difference and are interested in volunteering at JMCC, please complete the volunteer form and drop it off at the Centre, fax it in to 519-252-8573 or scan and email it to volunteer@jmccentre.ca with your inquiry.
Family Advisors
Being a Family Advisor is all about making a difference in the lives of our children. Family Advisors work alongside JMCC clinicians and managers on projects, short-term working groups, fundraising events, public awareness opportunities and more.
The time commitment for being a Family Advisor is whatever you can give and you can choose which areas you would like to be a part of. Most projects and events only require a few hours of your time and as much as possible are scheduled around times that are most convenient for parents and graduates of JMCC.
Family Advisors have a family member receiving services from JMCC or a family member that received services in the past. Advisors can also be current or former clients.
Projects and Events our Family Advisors have contributed to:
- Redesigning therapy templates to make them more family-friendly
- Hiring committees for JMCC’s Recreation Therapist and Service Navigator
- Presenting to JMCC staff on cultural awareness
- Public speaking engagements to build awareness of JMCC services
- Starting our Family Resource Centre
VIDEO: JMCC Family Advisory Network - We need you!
Join our Family Advisory Network - please fill out our Application Form.
Family Resource Centre
Our Family Resource Centre volunteers help parents and kids feel comfortable while they wait for their appointment. They offer the opportunity to chat over a cup of coffee to share their knowledge of JMCC and community services as well as funding supports.
Our volunteers also run our Toy Lending Library which is free to join and stocked with therapeutic toys and equipment that families can borrow to work on their child’s development at home. Volunteers offer two hours of their time once every one to two weeks.
Family Advisory Council
JMCC's Family Advisory Council is made up of eight parents of children receiving services through JMCC or past clients of JMCC as well as our CEO, Director of Client Services and PEER Manager. The Council brings ideas forward to enhance services and supports for the children and families JMCC supports. The Council also provides input and recommendations on organizationally identified topics and issues related to child and family experiences, programs, services, strategic directions, initiatives, research policies, and procedures.
Examples of JMCC's Family Advisory Council Accomplishments:
- Developed and Initiated the Parents United: Parent Support Program
- Re-imagined our FamMail (our Quarterly Family Newsletter) and made the content more relevant for families
- Provided input on the development of satisfaction surveys and parent training
- Provided input into the support we offer around key transition periods
- Provided input into the reorganization of information for families on our website
VIDEO: Meet our Family Advisory Council. You can also visit our
Family Advisory Council section of our website.
Join our Family Advisory Council - please fill out our Application Form.
Parents United: Parent Support Program
This program was designed by members of JMCC’s Family Advisory Council to connect parents with experienced and trained parent volunteers to offer emotional support and to share their lived experiences and learn from one another. The support offers parents an opportunity to talk with someone who has walked in their shoes and truly understands what they going through.
Youth Advisory Council
This dynamic group of JMCC clients and recent graduates meet monthly with JMCC team members to share stories about their lived experiences and offer thoughts and ideas on additional ways JMCC can continue to support youth who receive services through the Centre. This group provides feedback and takes part in JMCC initiatives and projects, contributes to social media content and more! If you are a current or former JMCC client between the ages of 14 and 30 and are interested in joining this awesome group, please complete our
application form.
The purpose of the Youth Advisory Council (YAC) is to provide input and recommendations on organizationally identified topics/issues related to youth experiences, programs, services, strategic directions, initiatives, educational materials, policies, and procedures. The YAC are asked to reflect on their lived experiences in order to elevate awareness of the needs of older youth with disabilities. YAC members provide input into the creation of innovative solutions that offer needed support to youth with disabilities as they prepare for adulthood. YAC members collaborate with JMCC staff to assist in the development of specific programming aimed at meeting the needs of youth with disabilities, understanding that their input is critical in steering program development for current and future youth of the Centre.
Video: Watch a candid conversation with JMCC's Youth Advisor on how to overcome large obtacles in lfe, the responsibiity of living with a disability, fitting in, and other life lessons.
Please click here to watch the video.
Therapeutic Recreation Program
Volunteers work with children and youth as they participate in various recreation opportunities and work with JMCC staff to run recreation programs. The majority of these programs will take place on weekday evenings.
Thank you for your interest in helping us at JMCC!
