Volunteer

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers are essential for the success of our fundraising and awareness events and as team members in the successful delivery of recreational and social programs for children and teens at Autism Services. We encourage you to review our website to
familiarize yourself with our organization.

CURRENT PROGRAM VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

We are currently looking for special event volunteers and for program volunteers to assist with our upcoming programs.

If you are interested in volunteering for our fundraising or special events please send an email to events@autismservices.ca for more information.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR PROGRAM VOLUNTEERS

How many volunteer hours am I looking to commit to?

Autism Services programs typically run once a week for 8 weeks and vary in length from 1 hour
to 2.5 hours, so the weekly commitment can be from 1.5 hours a week to 3 hours a week for the
8 weeks. You may also volunteer for more than one program.

Are there any specific skills you are looking for?

We are looking for volunteers with an interest in working in a recreational or social setting with
children or teens who have an autism spectrum disorder. Past experience working with children
in a structured setting, such as summer camps or recreation programs, is always a plus.

What if I don’t know anything about autism spectrum disorders?

We do not expect volunteers to have much knowledge of autism spectrum disorders. We do
provide a short orientation to the disorder, in September and January of each year, and you will
be oriented prior to the start of your program on your specific job duties. What we do expect is
maturity, reliability, patience, good judgement, enthusiasm, and an interest in learning.

I want to fulfill a class volunteer requirement. Do you provide references?

We do provide all volunteers with a letter documenting their volunteer hours and skills
displayed.

I am really looking for a paid position. Will volunteering help?

People who have volunteered for us in the past and have demonstrated the qualities we are
looking for are at an advantage when competing for our paid school-year or summer program
worker positions.

I am 15 years of age. Can I volunteer?

Our recreation and social program volunteers are required to demonstrate maturity and
judgement, so, like most agencies supporting children with disabilities, we require our
volunteers to be at least 16 years of age.

Steps to Becoming a Program Volunteer

1. Click on the “I’m ready to volunteer!”  link and fill in the form.  Attach a current resume with the form and either print off and bring or mail to our office, or save and email to admin@autismservices.ca.   Ensure that your contact information is current so you can be contacted for an intake interview.
2. Once the intake appointment has been completed and we say “yes” to each other, then we will ask you to obtain a criminal record check from the Saskatoon Police Service.  (Volunteers do not have to pay for a criminal records check.)
3. Once we have received your criminal record check, you will be placed in a mutually agreed-upon program and begin your volunteer experience. Our volunteer openings begin in September/October, January and April of each year.

I am ready to volunteer!

Or if you have further questions, please send an email to
admin@autismservices.ca.