Volunteer
Our volunteers play an invaluable role in the safety, comfort, motivation and well being of our clients. From playing the piano to helping prepare meals, your contribution is an integral part of what makes Forward House work. Scroll down to find a variety of opportunities to join our team. Don't see anything that piques your interest? Let us know - there is truly something for everyone here at Forward House.
“Forward House means community, support and joy, and creates a ‘go to’ place for those of us who need it. Spreading my joy and love of music here has been such a gift. Seeing the clients and students just having fun together is so rewarding to me.”
Volunteering Positions
Food Preparation
At Forward House, we provide our clients with low-cost lunches six days a week and dinner three evenings a week. Food preparation volunteers are essential to putting hearty, healthy meals on the table every day. Volunteer responsibilities include helping with food preparation, serving, and cleanup. This is a great opportunity to get to know our clients on a casual basis.
Workshop Facilitators
When volunteers have special experience and/or interest in a particular area, we love to call on them to present to our clients either as a single workshop or as a series. Past workshops include: nutrition, healthy living, art, music, budgeting and much more. Volunteers can also teach a weekly class that will contribute to our clients’ physical health and/or mental wellness such as music appreciation, crafts, meditation, and yoga.
Driving and Accompaniment Volunteers
We love to take clients in our Forward House van to special events and outings, and we're always looking for excellent drivers to take the wheel. Sound like something you're interested in? Drivers must provide a clean driver’s abstract and enjoy going on fun adventures.
Landscaping and Maintenance
Forward House has homey indoor and outdoor spaces that need tending to. We are always looking for volunteers to help with landscaping or gardening, outdoor projects, or light indoor maintenance, like painting or handi-person jobs.
Administrative Support Volunteers
We're a lean team so having extra hands and skills on our administrative team is always a bonus. Admin volunteers help to distribute information to the community, support fundraising activities, compile research on relevant topics, help us with social media and computer upgrades, and more. If you like sticky notes, alphabetized things, and have a great eye for detail, you're our person!
Governance and Leadership Volunteers
We have a wonderful Board of Directors who oversee the governance, finance and strategic direction of Forward House. We're always looking for new people to champion the cause and help lead the organization. We are particularly looking for individuals with specific skills in nursing, addiction recovery, social media and fundraising.
Recovery Centre Volunteers
Our Forward Recovery Centre will serve the community by engaging leaders and mentors with lived addiction recovery experience. We are looking for volunteers to help us create a welcoming, friendly, and safe environment for everyone who attends our programs.
Fill in the form below to being volunteering at Forward House
Join the Board
Forward House Community Society is a non-profit society that provides community-based resources, structured rehabilitation programs, and services to adults needing support with their mental health and/or addiction recovery. We promote healthy, meaningful, and independent lives.
We are actively searching for new board members. We are seeking candidates who have a commitment to our vision and mission along with a variety of knowledge, skills, and abilities such as:
A willingness to commit the time required to be an effective board member (depending on sub-committee involvement, work estimate is 6 to 12 hours/month)
Demonstrated financial literacy and business acumen
Knowledge and experience with non-profit board governance is considered an asset
A background in health services, social services, mental health, and addiction recovery is desirable, however, not necessary
Interested individuals are encouraged to submit an Expression of Interest to the Nominations Committee by April 30, 2024 via email to Rosemary Bonderud, President, rbonderud4336@gmail.com.
Submissions should include the following:
Name and contact information
Brief explanation of why you are interested in joining the Board
Relevant skills and experience that you bring to the Board
Any other current Board involvement
All board members are required to hold a current Society Membership and complete a Criminal Record Check.