Volunteer Opportunities

There are several ways that you can get involved as a volunteer with S.H.I.F.T.

Quick Access

S.H.I.F.T. Frontline Volunteer Opportunities

S.H.I.F.T. Behind-the-Scene Opportunities

Volunteer candidates interested in working in roles that work directly with participants must follow the application process below prior to beginning their volunteer placement:

Submit your interest by email
Complete a screening questionnaire
Attend an interview
Completed relevant virtual training
Attend an onsite orientation session
Submit a recently completed Vulnerable Sector Screening criminal record check.

Our volunteers help in various aspects of our organization, from direct interaction with program participants, to behind-the-scenes roles.

The following are volunteer opportunities:

S.H.I.F.T Frontline - Volunteer

Volunteers are needed in various direct roles, which includes working with S.H.I.F.T. participants, often face-to-face, in our program settings.

Opportunities include:

Emergency Overnight Shelter Program – Host

Host volunteers work as part of a team to ensure the seamless functioning of the shelter program. They carry out various duties to assist staff in ensuring that the space is safe and welcoming during the participants’ stay. Volunteers interact with participants directly in carrying out regular duties. The program runs daily (7 days per week) during the winter months (November through April).

Host volunteers are screened and interviewed by our team, undergo a Vulnerable Sector Screen and complete mandatory training and orientation before they are able to commence duties in their particular role.

Shift Times:

Evening (7:00PM – 10:00PM)
Morning (6:00AM – 8:30AM).

Time Commitment:

Weekly
At least two (2) shifts per month to remain active

Host Volunteer Requirements:

Over the age of 18
Pass screening, interview and record check process

Apply Now

Daytime Drop-In Program – Host

Host volunteers work as part of a team to ensure the seamless functioning of the drop-in program. They carry out various duties to assist staff in ensuring that the space is safe and welcoming during the participants’ who access the space throughout the day. Volunteers interact with participants directly in carrying out regular duties. The program runs daily (7 days per week) during the winter months (November through April).

Shift Times:

Morning (9:00AM - 12:30PM)
Afternoon (12:30PM - 4:00PM)

Time Commitment:

Weekly
At least two (2) shifts per month to remain active

Host Volunteer Requirements:

Over the age of 18
Pass screening, interview and record check process

Apply Now

Outreach Program – Outreach Team Member

Outreach Team volunteers work as a part of a team to assist in the seamless functioning of the Outreach Program. The Outreach Team travels throughout South Simcoe providing basic needs, harm reduction supplies, hygiene supplies, food items and connections to local services. The Outreach Program operates 6 days per week year-round.

Outreach Team volunteers participate in various activities including:

Working out of our shelter to assist people accessing our space for showers, internet use, a meal and connecting with services
Driving with the Outreach Worker to meet with individuals in our community.
- This may include scheduled stops throughout South Simcoe, unscheduled meet ups with individuals or working with community partners
Walking through wooded areas or around town to connect with people living outdoors.

* Volunteers will always be accompanied by a member of our staff team. *

Shift Times:

Varied shift times available.
Monday through Saturday.
Daytime and early evening shifts.

* Applicants with daytime availability needed*

Time Commitment:

Bi-Weekly
At least one (1) shift per month to remain active

Outreach Volunteer requirements:

Must be over the age of 18
For outdoor opportunities – must be able to stand/walk for extended periods of times.
Pass screening, interview and record check process

Apply Now

Meal Maker

Individuals or teams of people prepare a meal (from home) and deliver the finished product to the S.H.I.F.T space at a specified time. Meals are delivered daily for the Emergency Overnight Shelter program and on designated days for the Outreach program.

Shift Times:

Shelter Meals - deliver meals ready-to-serve between 6:00-7:00PM
Outreach Meals - deliver meals either individually packaged or ready to portion into individual containers on designated days (time negotiable).

Time Commitment:

Meal makers may sign up for available days, as much or as little as desired.
Typically meal makers sign up for 1 meal per month.
Shelter meals are prepared/delivered during winter months (October through April)
Outreach meals are prepared/delivered year-round.

Meal Maker requirements:

Must commit to delivering meal at designated time.
Healthy, hearty meals prepared for between 10-20 individuals are preferred.

S.H.I.F.T Behind-the-Scenes - Volunteer

Volunteers are needed for all sorts of behind-the-scenes roles, that does not include interaction with S.H.I.F.T. participants in face-to-face or direct program settings.

Opportunities include:

S.H.I.F.T. Advisory Committee

WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR COMMUNITY?

The S.H.I.F.T. Advisory Committee is an important part of our leadership. As a member of the committee you will:

~ Drive action that impacts our community

~ Influence strategic decisions for the future of S.H.I.F.T.

~ Enhance the quality of our services

~ Improve our Participant's experiences

Public recruitment for S.H.I.F.T.'s Advisory Committee is underway until May 14th. Click on the button below to head to the S.H.I.F.T. Advisory Committee Nomination Form - fill it out for yourself or for something that you think would be a great fit!

S.H.I.F.T. Fundraising Committee

This committee is a team of volunteers focused on the planning, developing and execution of key fundraising events to support the operational costs of S.H.I.F.T.

If you have sales/fundraising experience and a passion for this community, we would love you to join us! We are a fun group, promise!

Time commitments will vary depending on the time of year and the specific event. You don’t need to commit to being part of every fundraising event but we do ask that you have a minimum of 4 hours a month to give to this committee and the responsibilities that come with it.

Planning & Development Committee Member

S.H.I.F.T. is beginning to plan for our future and expand our programs to best serve our community. The Planning and Development committee will help guide us as we explore and make plans to expand our programs, move to a new location and better serve our community.

Committee members will assist in researching possible future locations for S.H.I.F.T. and transitional housing sites. Also, members will help to communicate with industry specialists, community leaders and community agencies to help guide our process.

This committee is suited for anyone with personal or professional experience in construction, architecture, real estate, project management and/or the not-for-profit sector.

Coldest Night of the Year - Event Volunteer

Volunteers are a large part of the success of our annual CNOY event!

There are lots of fun volunteer roles to choose from in the Coldest Night of the Year! Roles include: Check-In Crew, Greeters, Route Marshalls, Food Team, Rest Stop Hosts, Send-Off/Welcome Back Crew, and more! Many of our roles are needed for most of the day, while others have shorter timeframes.

Click on the button below to head to the CNOY Volunteer Registration page - select "Alliston - S.H.I.F.T." in the "Choose Your Location..." drop down menu to get your started. After you register to volunteer you'll receive a confirmation email outlining all of the information you've provided to us. Then, expect to hear directly from the Event Volunteer Leader, who will give you more details on volunteering.

South Simcoe Affordable Housing Task Force

A subcommittee of the South Simcoe Chapter of the Simcoe County Alliance to End Homelessness (SCATEH), consisting of community members, service providers, and town/council representatives of the municipalities of South Simcoe (Innisfil, Essa, Bradford West Gwillimbury, Adjala-Tosorontio and New Tecumseth)

The Task Force aims to create solutions, and develop and implement strategies that will eliminate homelessness. They serve as a forum to understand, plan and coordinate activities that raise awareness of the complex issues surrounding homelessness in South Simcoe.

The Task Force is looking for passionate members with relevant experience and/or capacity, who are interested in advancing the mission of the Task Force.

Applicants will be selected in accordance with the criteria of current need within the Task Force.

For further questions or to submit an expression of interest:

Don't see something listed here but have a particular skill or idea?

Nominate

EOS - Host

DDP - Host

Outreach - Team Member

Advisory Committee

Fudraising Committee

Planning & Developement

CNOY Event Team

Affordable Housing Task Force

Let's Work Together

Volunteering with S.H.I.F.T can be a challenging but rewarding experience. The most important personality traits of a S.H.I.F.T volunteer include consistency, compassion, and communication and the abilities to set boundaries and maintain confidentiality.