Archway offers numerous volunteer opportunities where individuals can give back to their community and gain experience in a variety of areas.
“Volunteers are the lifeblood helping us run. Our volunteers have been ‘empathy in action’, especially during this past year that has been so difficult for so many,” said Rod Santiago, the Executive Director of Archway.
“It’s because of volunteers that we have the strong and healthy community that we have.”
Archway volunteers help deliver meals, drive people to medical appointments, mentor youth, tutor English language learners, and more.
“We’re so thankful for our volunteers who give of their time and energy to help others,” said Meredith Lee Sperling, Archway’s Volunteer Coordinator. “Some of our programs couldn’t run without the support of volunteers and we’re fortunate to have hundreds of volunteers who contributed over 40,000 hours of volunteer time in the past year.”
Archway is currently looking for volunteers to provide friendship matches with new refugees, conduct phone wellness checks with seniors, and greet youth at Foundry Abbotsford. While some positions are best suited for long-term volunteers, there are also event-based or seasonal opportunities like the Christmas Bureau, Christmas gift wrapping, and income tax assistance for seniors.
“We work with volunteers to find the best fit for their skills and interests,” explained Lee Sperling.
One program that wouldn’t be able to operate without volunteers is the Archway Food Bank where volunteers help with fresh food recovery, food hamper distribution, making deliveries, and coordinating Starfish Pack drop-offs. There are also group volunteer opportunities to help sort food at their warehouse.
Practicum placements allow students to gain real-world experience in areas like Information Technology, Finance, and Social Work.
“Volunteering here is a great way to see if it’s the right fit and some of the positions have turned into careers at Archway,” said Leah Wynsouw, the Director of People and Culture.
Learn more about volunteering at Archway.
We’re so thankful for our volunteers who give of their time and energy to help others.”