VOLUNTEERS NEEDED AT TSIIONKWANONHSO:TE

Friendly Visits:

Residents look forward to socializing with the community members from Tsi Tetewatatkens (the Hogansburg Senior Center) once a month.

After using the billiards table, they often join in the scheduled group activity.

At Tsiionkwanonhso:te, we found differences in the needs of youth, families, baby boomers and workplace volunteers. But some of the gaps cut across all volunteer groups.

For Example:

* Many people are looking for group activities BUT few organizations can offer them (except at Tsiionkwanonhso:te, we offer a variety of GROUP activities that could use the assistance of an extra person and provide training).

* Many people come with professional skills BUT many professionals look for volunteer tasks that differ from their work. (Certified esthetician services such as nail care and hand massages will become ‘out of pocket’ expenses for Residents soon and may also include the therapies: Art, Music, Massage, and Pet due to budget constraints.)

* Organizations are expected to define the roles of volunteers, especially when working with a vulnerable population, but many volunteers want the flexibility to create their own opportunities and schedule. (Our Home provides training and supervision as regulated by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care Act while working with the frail and vulnerable resident population.)

* Many organizations want long-term commitment but many more volunteers are looking for short-term opportunities. (Example: students who are required to do 40 hours of community service to earn the credit mandatory for graduation)

* Many organizations focus on what they need BUT many volunteers come with their own goals to be met. Example: a Resident’s son (landscaper by trade) offers to prune the trees and shrubs on Tsiionkwanonhso:te property, but shies away from the Home’s request to rake cigarette butts and clear debris in the secure area where Resident’s smoke.

Volunteers are needed to sit with Residents playing CKON Radio Bingo on Tuesday evenings. Currently, Tsiionkwanonhso:te is a vendor of Radio Bingo cards (on a trial basis).

The family members of Residents are encouraged to form a Family Council (FC) at Tsiionkwanonhso:te. The FC is made up of Residents’ family members and has a number of rights and obligations as outlined in the MOHLTC Act. For more information, please direct your questions to Barry Lazore, Administrator (vincent.lazore@akwesasne.ca) or Teresa David, Program Support (Teresa.david@akwesasne.ca). Or call 613.932.1409 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. (Regular business hours). Follow us on Facebook ‘friends of Tsiionkwanonhso:te’.