Supporting members at Sunrise is referred to as "Volunteering to be a Friend," where individuals will engage and build relationships with our members who each have unique needs, communication styles, behavior's etc. Supporting measures can include promotion of independence through unique aid tactics to ensure inclusion while honoring their autonomy as adults. Moreover, we promote education surrounding social, motor, emotional and life skills that are transferred in our client's interactions in the community. 

Volunteer expectations: volunteers will assist staff in pre-event preparations including but limited to: food preparation, decorations, physical space manipulation (while supporting Health and Safety measures around lifting). During events, volunteers will engage with members, encourage participation and inclusion of members and creating unique and memorable experiences for our members in a socializing space. Other measures can include support during overnight events such as assisting with clothing changing, teeth/hair brushing, showering, toileting. Supportive measures surrounding toileting and hygiene are not mandated or enforced, but if interested are provided with shadowing/training with experienced staff and volunteers on the individual's unique needs. 

Event Basic Information: Events run typically on evenings and weekends, usually about 5-7 per month with the exception of December and August due to stay away camp and holiday closures. Our event types fall on the same days of the week but switch up each month in terms of when they are scheduled. Any events that provide food and beverages are extended to volunteers, staff do their best to support/accommodate for dietary restrictions and allergies. Typically events go until 9pm but are schedule until 9:30pm in the case post-event clean up takes longer, but staff will inform volunteers of when they should call for pick ups and will wait with volunteers for their rides.

Volunteer Registration: volunteers will begin by meeting with the Recreation Manager and Volunteer Coordinator Carly over Zoom. This is where volunteers can get more information or clarify/ask questions. After which Carly will send a registration package and explain how to register your account for our Bookwhen site.

Bookwhen: this is a website that volunteers and members use to register for events. Each event listing will show details for the event such as: date/times, themes, location of event - including screen shots of map images of precise locations when events are out in the community, and any necessities you may need to bring/pack. Volunteers will be able to register for all their events they'd like to volunteer for through the site and will receive both a confirmation and reminder email regarding their upcoming event(s).

Below you'll find the list of our events and some details:

1. Art Workshops (Tuesdays from 5:30-9/9:30p): from crafts to paint nights with Bob Ross, volunteers will support members making a masterpiece. Light snacks and drinks provided. 
2. Cooking Classes (Wednesdays from 5-9/9:30pm): volunteers will support members making a recipe either in groups or individual portions. While promoting independence throughout the creation of the recipe, volunteers will assist members to making the meal through hand-over-hand techniques or prompting. Staff make portions so that both members, volunteers & staff can enjoy the recipe creation. 
3. Let's Move (Saturdays from 12:30-3:30pm): this event changes each month in terms of location as it is a fitness-themed event located someone in the community if Durham Region. Volunteers will participate and engage in the event with members while staff facilitate. Examples include apple picking, yoga in the park, hikes, etc. Volunteers can have opportunities to start at 11:30am and meet staff at the Sunrise building if the location is farther than they can outreach. Light snacks and refreshments are provided. 
4. Dinner & Movie Night (Fridays from 3:30-9/9:30pm): volunteers will support members preparing a meal together as a large group. Supportive measures can include hand-over-hand techniques for members who struggle with using knives. Once the meal is finished, members, staff and volunteers will enjoy the dinner, followed by watching a featured film on our projector screen with couched seating set up in a theatre style. 
5. Dances (Thursdays from 6-9/9:30pm): each month possesses a different them that members, volunteers and staff are encouraged (but not mandated) to dress up for. Volunteers and staff will prepare snacks and decorations prior to members arrival. Volunteers will engage with members at the dance whether showing off their moves, or engaging with members sitting at the sides. Snacks are provided mid-way through and each dance carries a tradition of the last song singing Sunrise's anthem "Don't Stop Believing" in a circle together. 
6. Rock & Bowl at Leisure Lanes (Saturdays from 6:30-9/9:30pm): enjoy a fun Saturday Night Bowling event with members. Volunteers will cheer on and encourage members participation, volunteers can be substitute bowlers if members are away using restrooms, getting snacks or simply taking a break. Volunteers are encouraged to bring money if they would like to purchase any snacks/drinks. Typically this event runs until 9pm and we are always located at the last 3 lanes leading to the back entrance of the building.
7. Sunrise Live: this event differs on dates as it pertains on the schedule of the shows. Volunteers will embark with members on a trip to a theatre to see a local production from plays, musicals etc. Some of the shows we've already seen include Descendants the Musical, Spongebob the Musical and (soon) Elf the Musical. Details of start times and locations will be found on the booking site, volunteers are encouraged to bring money to purchase food and drinks. 
8. Cabin Retreats (Friday starting at 5 until Sunday until 2:30pm): located at the Kitchie Lodge cabin at Camp Samac in Oshawa, members enjoyed a cabin weekend away with their friends. Each weekend possesses a theme that pertain to the style of activities, with the addition of movie nights, karaoke, nature walks, campfires etc. Volunteers and staff sleep in the same rooms as members but are sectioned off to one are for girls/women and the other side for men/boys. Volunteers are not mandated to stay the entire weekend upon registering, they can do half, partial hours with/without overnights. Below are a few suggestions of hours where volunteers would be vital for support. A few timing options that would be best as they are busier times are as follows: Friday from 5:30 to 9:30pm Saturday from 10:00am to 2:00pm Saturday from 4:00pm to 10:00pm (can be anytime in between - this is dinner & evening programming) Sunday from 9:30am to 2:30pm (flexible on timing as well, assist with pack up, brunch at 10:30am and pick ups between 1-2pm). Food is provided, if volunteers take medications, they will be locked away for safety measures but always available for administration access. 
9. Camp Wabikon: This is our annual week-long stay-away camping trip and Sunrise's biggest event of the year that typically falls in third/last week of August!! Volunteers will be sanctioned in a cabin with members - staff organized to ensure there's a mixture of new(er) and more experienced volunteers in the Cabin. Each year has a theme and cabins are given sub-themes and work together to collect as many cabin points through matters such as attending events/activities, helping their friends etc. Traditional events/activities include movie night, pub night, skit night, campfire song night, a day-long scavenger hunt and our infamous opening and closing ceremonies. Volunteers are provided in-depth training that spans 2 days going through daily expectations, specifics on member support and procedures including dealing with behavior's, health and safety etc. Volunteers are responsible to ensuring members are supported emotionally, physically (changing/toileting/showering), brought to meal times and events, and brought to the nurse's cabin if they receive medications. Each cabin posseses a cabin kit where you'll have information about schedules for activities, canoeing, meals, and detailed information about members' needs, medications etc.