Engaging a Community That Volunteers
Our Vision
The Kamloops Community Volunteer Services Society, operating as Volunteer Kamloops, is committed to the concept that volunteerism improves the quality of life in the community and, therefore, supports and strengthens volunteerism through promotion, recruitment, education, orientation, and referral services for volunteers and organizations in our community and surrounding areas.
Since 1985, Volunteer Kamloops has recruited and referred volunteers to our members who could be a non-profit organization or anyone taking on a volunteer project in the community. We are a Registered Charity (132712670RR0001) and a BC Society with our own voluntary Board of Directors.
A key annual event is National Volunteer Week during the third week of April. Through training and networking opportunities, we support the efforts of organizations to provide high-quality volunteer programs and opportunities. Our staff members participate on community committees and collaborations to achieve shared needs or address issues that affect voluntary agencies. We advocate on behalf of volunteers and the value of voluntary service in all aspects of our work.
We currently provide three main programs
FOCUS Program
Purpose:
To link or integrate mental health consumers with community organizations in a way that promotes their involvement and enhances community awareness about various mental health issues.
We would like to thank Interior Health for their support in our twelfth year of providing this program.
For Volunteers:
The FOCUS Program assists adults 19 and over who are challenged by mental health concerns to find suitable volunteer placements. Conditions may include depression, anxieties, or any other mental health condition.
In addition, the Therapeutic Volunteer Program is a specialized program for those diagnosed with a mental illness and meeting the admission guidelines of the program. It is a long-term program and has limited intake numbers each year.
Enrollment:
Anyone is welcome to make an appointment, either directly or through a professional referral, to find out how the program works and what opportunities are available. Contact focus@volunteerkamloops.org
Referral:
The FOCUS Coordinator has extensive contacts with organizations in the community which offer opportunities for personal growth and development through volunteering. Skills development might include team-building, clerical, computer, communication, and interpersonal relationships. Each volunteer creates an action plan that can include career planning, which involves seeking volunteer opportunities that could build skills and lead into future employment in the community.
Link Program
Through the Link Program potential volunteers are able to learn about the various volunteer opportunities across our community. The Link Program Coordinator works with these potential volunteers to help them meet any personal goals by screening them and referring them to the volunteer opportunities and organisations that would help them meet their goals.
How to Volunteer
- Check out current Volunteer Opportunities and learn more about our member organizations.
- Complete a Volunteer Application
- Call 250-851-1994 to set up an appointment
- If you are planning to volunteer at Volunteer Kamloops or become a Snow Angel, you can start the Criminal Record Check process.
- At the appointment the Link Program Coordinator will look at your interests, skills, career goals, etc. and will match you to volunteer opportunities from our member agencies that will help you accomplish those goals.
- Please note that we are a referral service and we will provide you with all the information to make contact with the member organisation.
- A month after you were referred to volunteer opportunities, we will do a follow up to see where you started volunteering, however, if at any time you need the assistance of the program coordinator please call our office or email program@volunteerkamloops.org.
It’s that easy! We also have some organizations’ volunteer application forms and program information on hand for you to get more information about their volunteer position(s).
Snow Angels Program
Snow Angels Program
The Snow Angels Program gears up every November to help seniors and individuals with mobility challenges by removing snow from their driveways and sidewalks. Each year, Snow Angels volunteers assist over 100 seniors and individuals with mobility challenges in Kamloops with snow removal services.
Volunteers:
- Shovel snow from the driveway and sidewalk within a 24-hour window
- You must be physically fit to complete the job and be reliable
- Must be ready/prepared to shovel snow when needed
- Family volunteering welcome (children ages 14 and under must have supervision)
- Volunteers will be matched with seniors in their area
- Police Information Check Required (PIC)
How to get started:
- Please fill out the Volunteer Application and write “Snow Angels” under the section – “Are you looking for a specific volunteer opportunity” and if you can shovel more than one place in that area, please let us know how many you would like to assist with.
- Contact the Snow Angels Program Coordinator at snowangels@volunteerkamloops.org to learn more about the program
- Complete a Police Information Check (PIC) forms, and drop them off at the RCMP or complete the check using an online link provided by the Snow Angels Program Coordinator
- Once the PIC is received back from the RCMP you will get matched to seniors or individuals with mobility challenges in your neighbourhood.
We promote volunteer opportunities through:
- Community volunteer/job fairs
- Media articles and interviews
- Our website Current Volunteer Opportunities
- By direct contact and referral of the hundreds of individuals who call or drop in to our office through the year
- Listings of new requests distributed around the community through email, television, radio, and various publications
Basic Volunteer Center roles as outlined by Volunteer BC:
- Connecting people with opportunities to serve
- Promoting and recognizing volunteerism
- Building capacity for effective local volunteering
- Providing leadership on issues relating to volunteerism
Get to know our wonderful Staff, Board Members, and Volunteers!
Board of Directors
Kamloops Community Volunteer Services welcomes new volunteer board members with strong connections in the community. For more information please contact us via email at info@volunteerkamloops.org.
Terri Hadwin, President
Terri Hadwin is a community leader with a wealth of knowledge of the Kamloops and Thompson Nicola Region area. Born in Kelowna, but moved to Kamloops in her early teens, graduating from Brocklehurst Secondary before moving to the west coast, and returning back to BC Interior years later. Her earlier career path included Early Childhood Education, where she was a pre-school teacher for a brief period of time, then found her passion working in tourism, the arts and non-profit work. She pursued her graduate degree in Tourism Management through Royal Roads University.
She works for the TNRD as the Film Commissioner, she volunteers as Board Member for Chimera Theatre and President for Volunteer Kamloops. Previous volunteer and Board engagement include, BC Alliance for Arts and Culture, Big Sisters, Scouts, Historic Hat Creek Ranch, Thompson Nicola Film Commission, BC Geocaching Association and New Pathways to Gold. Giving back to community is a driving force for her volunteer work.
Terri can be reached at president@volunteerkamloops.org
Stephanie Lawrence, Vice President
Vacant, Treasurer
Stefani Klaric, Secretary
Steve Konkin, Director
Stephen Konkin is a Regional Manager for Mining Technology and Autonomy employed by Finning in Kamloops. He has a Bachelor of Applied Science from UBC in Mining Engineering and 7+ years working in the mining industry. While relativity new to Kamloops, Stephen enjoys hunting, fishing, skiing, mountain biking and hiking in his free time. Stephen looks forward to lending his project management and organizational skills to help Volunteer Kamloops exceed as a non-profit.
Ehsan Latif, Director
Janet Rimmer, Director
Janet is a retired Executive Assistant and recent resident of Kamloops.
Born and raised in Edmonton, Janet moved to the Lower Mainland in 1974 and relocated to Victoria in 2000. Employed in the marine transportation industry for 37 years she has a variety of experience in operational administration and management including the administration of charitable and conference events. Janet enjoys spending time with her 2 dogs and working on her hobbies creating stained glass windows and glass fusing projects.
Adam Burke, Director
Adam grew up in Kamloops BC and has served on the boards of the Lifeguard Outreach Society, Thompson Rivers University’s (TRU) Generator, TRU’s Board of Governors and TRU’s Advisory Committee on Investments. Adam is in his final year of a computer science degree and has completed various internships in Derivatives Trading, Equity Research and Investment Banking. On his spare time, Adam is a big fan of Jimi Hendrix and spends a lot of time learning his music on guitar, he also enjoys time with friends, a good debate, fishing, skiing and is an avid reader. Adam looks forward to learning from others while seeking ways to add value to Volunteer Kamloops.
Staff
Focus Program Coordinator – Nicole Stanchfield
Nicole brings with her a wealth of knowledge and lived experience to celebrate those experiencing mental health and substance use. As a life-long volunteer she understands the benefits of community connection for a wholistic sense of well-being. Nicole has a passion for inclusivity and helping folks feel seen and valued.
Nicole can be reached at focus@volunteerkamloops.org or 778-586-7743
Link Program Coordinator – Anita Jacobsen
Anita started her volunteering at the young age of 10. Her father had gone to Norway to visit a friend of his who ran a sports rehabilitation center helping those with various disabilities, recover through sports. He came home with the idea to teach a blind person or two to cross country ski. Her parents hoped for one or two people to teach but ended up with 18! They refused to turn anyone away and roped everyone they knew into helping. Anita ended up as the youngest guide in Canada for many years. This began her love for volunteering!
Anita has also returned for the second year as the Snow Angels Coordinator! If you have extra time this winter season please consider donating it to the Snow Angels program!
Anita can be reached at program@volunteerkamloops.org or 250-851-1994