London Cross Cultural Learner Centre (Canada Connects Volunteer)

• Background/police check required
• Appropriate for volunteers aged between 18 and 55
• Family-oriented volunteering
• Training or orientation required

The Community Connections team at the Cross Cultural Learner Centre (CCLC) is looking for Canadian citizens and long-term residents who are interested and available to volunteer to meet with our newcomer clients on a regular basis through the Canada Connects Program. In this program, volunteers help newcomers practice the English language, learn about their host community and Canadian culture, and establish civic engagement in their community. Volunteers are “matched” with a newcomer individual or family, typically for 3 or 6-month intervals, during which the volunteer will meet with the client(s) on a weekly basis for about 1 to 2 hours. The clients arrive from different parts of the world, with a wide range of cultural backgrounds. Their needs, interests, and language skills vary on a case-to-case basis. While some matches focus mostly on practicing conversational English, others care more about exploring the city or building new connections. All volunteer applicants are required to attend an interview, followed by further training sessions. All applicants need to provide a reference, and a vulnerable sector check before they can be actively involved.