Kids Come First
Share your time and enrich the life of a child
Kids Come First matches volunteers with children, youth, and parents from across the Halifax Regional Municipality in a variety of roles intended to strengthen families and help parents in the care they give their children. Kids Come First volunteers complement the work of child welfare staff by offering their time and personal attention as mentors, tutors, and parent helpers.
What do volunteers do?
- Big Buddy or Grandparent Pal: Be a mentor to a child or youth and increase their self esteem through positive social and recreational activities.
- Study Buddy: Tutor a child or adolescent in specific subjects or general curriculum.
- Parent Support: Give support and advice to a new mother or father.
- Independent Living Advisor: Work with youth who are preparing to live independently in the community.
- Event Volunteer: Help organize special events that recognize foster families, volunteers, or clients.
- Special Projects Volunteer: Provide administrative assistance or offer special skills to benefit clients or volunteers.
Benefits of Volunteering
The greatest benefit of volunteering is the knowledge that you’re helping to improve the life of a child and their family. Exposing a child or youth to new and exciting experiences, feeling needed and valued, improving your own self esteem as you do the same for another – these are some of the reasons our volunteers are motivated to continue working with the Kids Come First program. Other benefits include the opportunity to gain valuable work experience or explore a career option. Training sessions and recognition events provide volunteers with the support and encouragement they need, as well as the opportunity to meet other volunteers.
Flexible Commitment
Volunteering with us fits even the busiest of schedules. You can volunteer in the evenings, on weekends, or on weekdays, depending on the position you chose. The Manager of Volunteers will work with you to tailor a volunteer commitment that works with your schedule.
Length of Commitment
That depends on the volunteer position you choose. Volunteers developing one-to-one relationships with children and adolescents need to make a commitment to do so, preferably at least one year. Special projects or administrative positions may require as little as three months commitment.
Eligibility
Our volunteers are men and women of all ages, races, religions, cultures, interests, and qualifications. All must display a genuine desire to serve their community and support child welfare agencies.
Volunteers must
- be 19 years of age or older
- be willing to undergo a police check and child abuse registry check
- submit at least three references
- keep information about their placement confidential
- be comfortable working with children, youth, and families in crisis, if placed in a one-on-one relationship
Placement
Your placement with Kids Come First is based both on your interests and experiences, and the needs of our program and our clients. We will interview you and check your suitability as a volunteer. Then our Manager of Volunteers will work with you, and sometimes a social worker, to choose a suitable placement.
Next steps
Call 425-5420 for more information about our volunteer program or fill out our application form and sent it to:
Halifax District Office - Child Welfare
6009 Quinpool Road, 4th Floor
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Canada B3K 5J7
Tel: (902) 425-5420
Fax: (902) 422-9424