Aug
28
By Stephen Harrison
Whether you've just moved here or you've been living in James Bay for years, it's always a good idea to get involved in the community. You can make a meaningful difference just by offering your time and energy, and there are numerous opportunities for helping out around James Bay. Volunteering can be good for your health, and it's also a great way to strengthen your existing skills and learn some new ones. If you're a young person looking to build your resume, volunteering can be a great place to start.
Whatever your interests, availability, and reasons for volunteering are, there are almost certainly some great activities you can get involved in right away. I've listed a few organizations and resources to help you find a good fit, but this is just scratching the surface of all the available possibilities.
If you're involved with an organization that needs volunteers, please get in touch so we can help get the word out. We plan on highlighting volunteering opportunities in James Bay in each issue.
Volunteer Victoria and VolWeb.ca
Volunteer Victoria is a great first stop if you're looking for volunteering opportunities in the Victoria area. They provide online and in-person resources to help match people with volunteering opportunities in the Victoria area through their partnerships with local organizations. You can find out more at volunteervictoria.bc.ca. They also maintain an active Twitter account (@volvicBC) where you can hear about new positions daily.
Volunteer Victoria also operates a Youth Volunteer Connections Program to find volunteer positions for young people aged 15 to 29. If you'd like help finding a position suited to your interests, you can call 250-386-2269 or email youth.connections@volunteervictoria.bc.ca
The VolWeb.ca database is an excellent way to learn about local volunteering opportunities. From festivals to fundraisers and museum assistance, you can find it all here. The website lets you search for positions and events that are right for you, and you can narrow down the opportunities to the Victoria area or broaden your search across the country.
James Bay Community Project
The James Bay Community Project, located at 547 Michigan Street, offers "family, community, and volunteer services" for James Bay, and it actively encourages people to get involved. The JBCP runs a local library branch, offers food assistance and a youth clinic, and hosts activities for community members. Volunteer Coordinator Catriona Campbell says they're "incredibly fortunate" to boast over 300 volunteers of all ages.
The JBCP frequently has community members put on courses for other residents looking to get active, so if you have a unique health and wellness skill - yoga instructing is one such example - contact the JBCP if you're interested in sharing your time and your talents.
The JBCP is currently putting out a call for volunteer drivers to take seniors to vital medical appointments. The JBCP notes that even one drive a month will help. Drivers can be reimbursed for mileage and will have access to volunteer wellness programs at the JBCP.
Campbell notes that while the JBCP has many active volunteers, they're always looking for more people to spend time visiting seniors. There are also opportunities to volunteer at the Community Closet in James Bay Square.
If you are interested in any of these opportunities, or if you'd like to see if your unique skill set could benefit the community, contact Catriona Campbell at 250-388-7844, ext. 308, or by email at ccampbell@jbcp.bc.ca
James Bay Beacon
I would be remiss if I didn't mention the volunteering opportunities available at the James Bay Beacon. We're always looking for new people to make a contribution to the paper, which goes to print every month thanks to our many volunteers. Are you a writer, photographer, or graphic designer? Do you have a keen eye for proofreading, or would you just like to get involved in your community newspaper?
If you have a skill you'd like to offer or a story idea you'd like to cover, please contact our office at 250-380-6090, or by email at jbbeacon@shaw.ca We'd be happy to have you on our team!