Join Our Employment Readiness Program: Volunteer Opportunity to Make a Meaningful Impact!

Are you a compassionate, reliable, and empowering individual looking to make a real difference in your community? We are seeking dedicated volunteers to support our Job Search Drop-In Hours within the Employment Readiness Program, where you’ll have the opportunity to support and uplift individuals in the Downtown Eastside (DTES) as they navigate their job search journey.

As a Job Search Support Volunteer, you will play a pivotal role in empowering DTES residents to overcome employment barriers by providing hands-on support in areas such as resume building, interview preparation, and cover letter writing. Your efforts will help individuals rebuild confidence, strengthen their job market skills, and take meaningful steps toward employment success.

Why This Role Matters:
Many of the people we serve have faced significant challenges in their lives, from economic instability to systemic barriers. The support you provide will directly contribute to their empowerment, helping them regain agency and pursue their goals with confidence. We are looking for individuals who are not only skilled but also deeply compassionate, empowering, and committed to a strength-based approach to supporting others.

What You’ll Gain:
- Hands-On Experience: Work closely with the Employment Readiness Program team and gain valuable insight into the daily operations of a dynamic, grassroots nonprofit.

- Skill Development: Enhance your communication, mentoring, and organizational skills while working in a fast-paced, impactful environment.

- Meaningful Connections: Engage with individuals from diverse backgrounds, each with their own unique experiences and challenges. This is a rare opportunity to learn and grow alongside people who have faced adversity, while celebrating their resilience and successes.
- Professional Growth: This opportunity is ideal for those pursuing careers in nonprofit work, counseling, education, sociology, public policy, psychology, or any field that values community impact and social justice.

- Personal Fulfillment: Volunteering is a chance to give back to your community, while gaining transferable, employable skills that can support your own career trajectory.

What We’re Looking For:
- Understanding of the DTES community: Experience working with or knowledge of the challenges faced by residents of the Downtown Eastside is preferred, but not required.

- Empathy and Compassion: A genuine desire to help others and contribute positively to their personal and professional growth.

- Empowerment-Oriented Approach: Ability to support individuals in a way that builds self-confidence and encourages independence.

- Reliability and Commitment: A commitment to providing consistent and meaningful support to participants during the Job Search Drop-In Hours.

- Basic tech skills and comfort using platforms such as email, indeed, and google docs. 

* Please note that volunteers must be available to come in either Wednesdays or Fridays from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm