The Matching Program pairs volunteers or Allies, with a child, youth or adult living with a disability or Friend, who wants a companion to talk to, go to a movie with or do any of the things that friends do together. There are more than 140 people with disabilities waiting for a volunteer. If you enjoy spending time with people and have an hour or two available each week, we invite you to volunteer as an Ally with the Matching Program.
The biggest wish of people on our waiting list is to have someone to meet for a coffee!
When you volunteer, you are making a profound impact by reducing loneliness and isolation, helping to achieve hopes and dreams, developing personal networks and relationships, decreasing vulnerability, increasing self-confidence, and improving the overall mental and physical health of people with disabilities in the community. You will gain a wonderful new friendship— someone to share activities that you love doing.
Join our team of more than 250 volunteers or Allies who are enriching the lives of people with disabilities in the community. ABLE2’s Matching Program team pairs volunteers with individuals with disabilities who share the same interests and activities so that matches develop meaningful, new friendships. Volunteering will change the life of a person living with disability, and as many of our volunteers have experienced, will change your life too. Changes two lives.
Here are just a few Friends waiting for an Ally to spend time with:
Do you enjoy watching sports and playing video games?
Kevin may be a good fit for you! Kevin is an outgoing guy who has a variety of interests including playing sports, playing video games, and doing arts and crafts! Kevin would love it if you would want to see him compete at his Special Olympic events as well! Kevin is looking for calm and active person who can spend some one-on-one time with him.
Spend some time over a cup of coffee with Sophie
Sophie lives in the Sandy Hill area and is looking for someone who can help her engage in her community by attending local events, going for coffee, walking with her, and providing some practical help (understanding documents, basic computer skills and budgeting). An ideal volunteer advocate for Sophie would be down-to-earth, patient and understanding.
Grab a bite at Boston Pizza with a Senior
Millie is wishing for a volunteer who would enjoy helping a senior get a bite to eat and lend a helping hand. Millie loves Boston Pizza and wants to get out into her community. She would love someone who could help her learn to use a computer.
See more volunteer postings on the Volunteer Ottawa website here.
How to Become an Ally
You can be an Ally with the Matching Program if you meet the following criteria:
- You are 18 years or older.
- You reside in Ottawa/National Capital Region.
- You can receive a vulnerable sector check.
When you sign up to become an Ally, you will go through an onboarding process to ensure that you will be matched with a Friend who shares the same interests with you, have all the information you need, and receive appropriate amount of training, to help you have a meaningful and enriching volunteering experience. The Matching Program team will walk you through every step of the way. Click on the steps below for more information.
Step 1 – Information Session
The first step to becoming a volunteer with the Matching Program, or Ally, is to attend a virtual 20-minute volunteer information session. You may view the virtual information session at your leisure. A Matching Program team member will contact you after this session to talk about the next steps.
If you would like to attend a live information session via Zoom, please contact us at 613-761-9522 or volunteer@able2.org
Step 2 – Paperwork & Onboarding Session
After you have attended an information session, consider if the Matching Program is a fit with your volunteering interests. If you would like to continue you must complete the following:
a) fill out the volunteer application form and submit it.
b) apply for a Police Records Check for Service With the Vulnerable Sector. Once you have done this, please us by email or phone 613-761-9522 to let us know this is underway.
c) attend a mandatory four-hour seminar to prepare you for your role as an Ally. This training will cover:
- The role of an Ally.
- The impact that an intentional friendship can have on someone with a disability.
- Learning about different disabilities.
- Learning about available sources of help and support.
- Learning about common issues and strategies to help.
- In addition, it will give you an opportunity to meet other new Allies and ABLE2 staff to learn and share ideas together.
Onboarding session dates will be arranged to suit your schedule. We will be in touch with you to arrange a mutually convenient date.
Once we have confirmation your vulnerable sector check is underway, have a copy of your volunteer application form and you have attended the onboarding session you are ready for your learning conversation. We will send you the contact details of the social worker so you can both arrange a mutually convenient time to meet.
And if you change your mind about volunteering, remember to let us know.
Step 3 – Learning Conversation
Step 2 must be completed before you will be booked for your learning conversation. This is an in-person discussion with a social worker, lasting 90 to 120 minutes. We will get to know you, your personality, hobbies and interests. This helps us narrow down the entire waiting list to those that are the best match for you. After your learning conversation the social worker will contact your references. Please notify them to expect this call.
Step 4 – Match Presentation
You will be invited by a social worker to a one-hour meeting where they will present several potential Friends. You will participate in choosing the person with a disability you would like to be matched with.
Step 5 – Additional Training/Information Confirmation
You will be sent a link, username and password to complete the following training sessions online. The training needs to be completed before your first match meeting with your Friend. Please bring your completion certificates to that meeting and give them to your Social Worker.
- AODA Customer Service Training (condensed content) (32 minutes)
- Understanding Human Rights (AODA Edition) (28 minutes)
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) (20-30 minutes each x 3 sessions)
At the onboarding session you are given the following policies and asked to read them before your first match meeting.
- Health & Safety
- Violence & Harassment
Please bring your completed acknowledgement form to your first match meeting and give them to your Social Worker.
Step 6 – Match Meeting
A social worker will facilitate the first meeting between you and your potential Friend. After the initial meeting, the social worker will contact both of you to confirm that each of you would like to continue with the match. If you are both happy with the match you can now start doing fun activities together!
Learn more about the Matching Program here.
For more information about volunteering, contact volunteer@able2.org
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When you volunteer, you help reduce loneliness and social isolation experienced by many people with disabilities in the community. Learn more about volunteering with ABLE2 here.