The grassroots, secular DTES Neighbourhood House (DTESNH) aims to provide a dignified welcoming space for our neighbours to participate in various community inspired programs, as well as leadership, social, and recreational opportunities. 

We are looking for volunteers with Cantonese language skills to support our Community Drop-In (CDI) program on a weekly basis. We have 2 shifts currently that we are looking to fill: Mondays from 9:30am-1pm and Wednesdays from 9:30am-2/3pm (usually ends at 2pm). This is an unpaid position. 

ABOUT CDI: 

During the Community Drop-in, our neighbours have the opportunity to mingle with other local residents and gain some respite from the charity model that permeates the DTES. One of the key goals of the Community Drop-in is to simply animate a space that our neighbours recognize as being very much their own – it is a space that belongs to the community. As the Neighbourhood House was created by local residents, we are keenly aware of the ways in which our neighbours feel most welcome in a way that “charitable” spaces often cannot. We avoid and are critical of food line-ups. Food is made available and prepared freshly over the hours during which the Community Drop-in is open. The food that is prepared is based on our food philosophy: it is diverse and has the ingredients listed for all to see. We avoid foods that are overly processed or high in starch, refined sugars, or sodium. CDI is a low-barrier program in which anyone is welcome to attend, and the programs attendance reflects the diversity of the DTES community. We are specifically seeking volunteers who can conversate with community members who speak Cantonese exclusively or primarily. If our team of staff and volunteers can consistently include at least 1 person who speaks Cantonese, we think that will help improve the CDI program significantly. Some of the tasks that volunteers help with are: 

•  assisting with making and serving oatmeal on Mondays and lunch on Wednesdays 
• dish washing
• cleaning the kitchen and general spaces in the Neighbourhood House
• accompanying a staff or volunteer to take the garbage and compost out at the end of the shift
• engaging with community members and contributing to creating a welcoming environment 

 REQUIREMENTS:

• understanding and support of the DTES Neighbourhood House's mission and philosophies
• Cantonese language skills (conversational proficiency)
• ability to work respectfully with people of diverse backgrounds and experiences
• ability to stay until the very end of the shift to help with cleanup
• ability to work with a team and help each other
• ability to stand for periods of time (we take breaks as needed and some tasks can be done while sitting)
• commitment of volunteering once a week for at least 2 months
• informal screening call/interview/orientation with volunteer coordinator (15-30min) as part of application process. 
• must be 18+ years old

ASSETS:

• if you have experience working or volunteering in a kitchen, or just experience with cooking and/or cleaning in general, that is great but not really required as long as you're willing to learn!
• lived/living experience, and/or work or volunteer experience in the DTES
• ability to speak multiple languages
• sense of humour is always an asset :) 

 APPLYING: 

 We require a minimum commitment of 2 months for this volunteer role. Our application, screening and onboarding process includes:

1. Email volunteer@dtesnhouse.ca letting us know which position you are applying for and give a short introduction.
2. Applicants will be sent volunteer forms to fill out
3. Before confirming your volunteer role, you'll have a 15-20min call with the volunteer coordinator to discuss & confirm the details of the role, make sure it's a good fit, ask any questions, and get a basic orientation before you start your first shift. 

About the DTES Neighbourhood House: 

 Our mission is to provide opportunities for residents to meaningfully engage with and contribute to their community in an equitable atmosphere of sharing and learning. The secular, grassroots Downtown Eastside Neighbourhood House (DTES NH) embraces people of all ancestries, genders, ages and descriptions; annually welcoming almost 9,000 DTES residents in a community where 70% of our neighbours have low‐incomes, 700 are homeless and 5,000 are under-housed. Those who built the DTES NH put the Right to Food at the heart of our work, as nutritional vulnerability was a theme familiar to all. Our goal around the Right to Food is to reform the nutritional impact, quality, abundance and delivery of food in the DTES in consultation with residents, community food providers, non‐food community organizations, healthcare professionals, policy makers, growers/suppliers, food/beverage industry professionals and researchers. Learn more about our organization & programs at dtesnhouse.ca