Volunteer Kamloops Summer 2021 Newsletter

SUMMER 2021

VOLUNTEER KAMLOOPS The official e-newsletter of Volunteer Kamloops @volkamloops

@VolKamloops

@Volunteerkamloops1

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF VOLUNTEER KAMLOOPS BOARD

BY DEVIN GAMBLER On behalf of the Board of Directors for Volunteer

www.volunteerkamloops.org

IMPORTANT DATES: July 1- Canada Day

Kamloops: We have been meeting on a monthly basis and working hard on our strategic initiatives. We would like to thank our staff for the tremendous work in the community during this past year and a half. Its been tough but there is a lot we have learned and changed

July 5- Virtual Live Draw for #VKGIVEAWAY

for how we operate. There is still more work to be done on streamlining our technology and the way we communicate. Our office is still closed to the public, and our staff is reaching out to our clients in a respectful and safe way. We appreciate all of your patience and caring and can’t wait till we can meet in person to build a stronger community.

August 2- BC Day

SUMMER 2021

LINK PROGRAM UPDATE Yes, our programs have still been running during Covid! While many organizations had to suspend volunteer operations during the pandemic many have required volunteers to provide essential services. Thank you to all our organizations and volunteers who have been hard at work!

The Link Program has been providing virtual appointments for volunteer referrals and all our current volunteer postings and application can be found online on our website www.volunteerkamloops.org. We sure miss seeing all our volunteers and non-profit partners in person and are looking forward to relaxed restrictions this summer.

June was the official launch of Volunteer Kamloops new Volunteer Dashboard. The new Dashboard allows for an easier connection between volunteers and members. In partnership with local businesses we have been excited to feature various giveaways to encourage volunteering and supporting our local community post-Covid.

If you are a non-profit or business looking to welcome back volunteers for programs or events please email Ainsley at program@volunteerkamloops.org to discuss how we can support volunteers at your agency.

FEATURED LINK MEMBER: FOUR PAWS FOOD BANK

FEATURED LINK VOLUNTEER POSTINGS: Hiking Assistant: Kamloops Immigrant Services Help organize and lead weekly hikes usually on Sundays 10am-3pm Contact Yenny Yao at communityconnection@kcris.ca Kitchen Volunteer: Mustard Seed Help prepare lunch/dinner for guests as well as clean up. Everyday 10am-1pm and 35:30pm.

Contact Tyler Lower at tylerlowey@theseed.ca Food Truck Driver: Salvation Army Drive Food Truck to locations around Kamloops. May need to help load/offload.

Must have a BC Drivers license and clean drivers abstract. Tuesday 11:30am-1:45 pm/ Wednesday 10:30am- 1:45 pm.

Contact Lisl Barnes at Lisl.barnes@salvationarmy.ca

Many People are familiar with foodbanks for humans, but did you know that Kamloops has a food bank for pets? Four Paws Food Bank Foundation is a registered non-profit charity. We have no paid staff or gov't funding, we rely completely on volunteers and donations from our incredible community! Our mission is keeping families together (2-legged and 4-legged) during times of crisis by: Providing a weekly pet food bank Providing temporary fostering for shelter service users incl. the Y Women's Emergency Shelter Our Food Bank is every Tuesday from 6-7 pm. Our current location is 109 Tranquille Road. Watch our Facebook page for updates: @fourpawsfoodbank.

We can be contacted by email at fourpawsfoodbank@gmail.com

SUMMER 2021

FOCUS PROGRAM UPDATE The Focus program focuses on the mental health benefits of volunteering to help people with mental health concerns reach their goals. It is a free service open to anyone 19 years of age and over who have a mental health diagnosis or concern (including anxiety and depression). It is a supportive one to one program where the Focus Program coordinator Amber helps clients identify volunteer placements that would help them meet their goals and assists them with applying and connecting with volunteer agencies.

Covid has changed the landscape of volunteering, but the Focus Program quickly adapted to ensure that clients could continue working on their work and mental health goals set out through volunteering. In the beginning of Covid many clients lost their volunteering but with the assistance of Interior Health Occupational Therapists, the Focus program was able to create individualized wellness plans to help our clients through the initial stages of the pandemic. As restrictions changed and agencies began opening there doors again, the Focus program worked to reunite focus volunteers with their agencies, and for those agencies that did not reopen we were able to find new placements for all of our volunteers. we would like to send out a huge THANK YOU to all the agencies who were able to adapt during covid and keep volunteers attending. It has not been easy, but all of your hard work has made a difference in the lives of all of our volunteers.

If you are non-profit or business looking to welcome back volunteers and are open to working with the Focus Program please email Amber at focus@volunteerkamloops.org to discuss how we can support volunteers at your agency.

#VKGiveaway Sponsors Hello Toast 5Bean Coffee Bar The Vic The Ice Cream Social Surplus Herby's Sugarella Wild Heart Design

#VKGiveaway Sponsors Kamloops Film Society Into the Woods Tk'emlups Petro Canada Beauty Counter- Karen Ludlow Volunteer Kamloops Board Members Cafe Azul Red Collar Brewing