Help improve health outcomes for individuals and families while gaining meaningful and valuable healthcare experience as a Basics for Health (B4H) volunteer at REACH Community Health Centre! 

 Volunteers will work with community members onsite at REACH in East Vancouver and will be offered services via phone or video at weekly drop-in times. 

 In collaboration with health care and social service providers, B4H volunteers assist individuals and families with meeting their needs for housing, food security, employment/income security, healthy child development, education and social support as needed. Volunteers will support clients through information and resource provision, referrals, and follow-up while working with other volunteers to maintain efficient service.

Responsibilities: 

As a compassionate individual with an interest or experience in supporting vulnerable populations, you will: 

• Interact with clients, community members, volunteers and staff in a respectful and empowering manner.
• Onsite: Greet and direct REACH members at the Welcome Desk, engaging them on B4H where appropriate.
• Online: Host video meetings with clients using TELUS Business Connect Meetings (similar to Zoom). 
• Conduct appointments with clients to provide support and resource referrals in accordance with program policy and procedures.
• Research for resources according to each client’s needs. 
• Consult and debrief with staff regarding challenging interactions. 
• Adhere to provincial standards concerning client confidentiality and privacy.
• Participate in required skill development training and ongoing sessions as they come up.
  

• Gain experience assisting individuals and families with real concerns/needs.
• Contribute to making a significant impact on the health outcomes of individuals and families.
• Become educated about the social determinants of health.
• Receive skills training (communication and interpersonal skills, referral skills, documentation skills, boundary setting). 
• Obtain exposure to opportunities for networking with healthcare professionals, social service providers and community organizations. 
• Obtain a confirmation of hours letter for academic or employment purposes after satisfactory completion of training and 42 minimum volunteer hours.
  

• Reliable, non-judgmental, open to learning, sharing, and receiving feedback; committed to supporting individuals and families to achieve better health outcomes through an empowerment model.
• Proficient in speaking and writing English – a second language is an asset, particularly Spanish, Vietnamese, or Arabic.
• Comfortable and competent using computers and video conferencing.
• Lived or professional experience navigating health and social service systems is considered an asset.
  

• Successfully complete our training workshop (8 hours over two-three days in mid-May)
• Commit to a minimum of 6 months of involvement. 
• Complete at least two shifts per month; volunteer shifts are scheduled by the coordinator on a four-month basis. Currently, we have three on-site shifts and two off-site shifts available every week. 
• Attend skill development training as they come up. 
• Represent REACH Community Health Centre at outreach events throughout the year (optional).
  

• PC Computer with Windows 7 or later, OR Mac computer with OSX High Sierra or later 
• Video-conferencing equipment (webcam, headphones or earbuds, microphone) 
• High-speed internet (Minimum 15 Mbps download, 5mbps upload); wired connection preferred 
• Private or semi-private space where you can volunteer (ex, a bedroom)