This article was written by freelance contributor Lauren Morris
Lauren Morris is the UVolunteer Program Coordinator.
This truly has been a strange and sudden end to the school year. With all the changes sweeping into our lives with Covid-19, it can be challenging not to feel disconnected. For those of you staying in Lethbridge over the summer who want to find ways to support the community during this challenging time, Volunteer Lethbridge can help.
Volunteer Lethbridge is a local hub for volunteer organizations in the city. With over fifty member non-profits who advertise volunteer opportunities in the community through Volunteer Lethbridge, keeping up with Volunteer Lethbridge can help you stay up to date with events, resources, and initiatives throughout the city.
During Covid-19 Volunteer Lethbridge has been compiling Covid-19 related volunteer opportunities on their website, www.VolunteerLethbridge.com. If you look through the volunteer opportunities, the Covid-19 related ones are titled, “A-Covid19.” New ways to support the Lethbridge community through Covid-19 are being posted weekly.
Do you have other volunteer related questions over the summer? Check out @volunteerlethbridge on Facebook or call the main office at 403-332-4320 to find out more about how you can get involved!
One of the Covid-19 related initiatives Volunteer Lethbridge has launched is Wellness Checks for Community Members. The Wellness Checks are a campaign to support individuals who may feel disconnected, lonely, or isolated during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Wellness Checks are being coordinated by Volunteer Lethbridge, with support from the Alberta South Region of the Canadian Mental Health Association. Verified volunteer community members are paired with other community members who may be feeling isolated or lonely. These members will receive a friendly wellness check phone call from the volunteer on a regular basis. Volunteers are screened for criminal record checks and provided with basic training as well as information on resources and how to provide referrals to appropriate organizations as needed.
If you are interested in volunteering to support the Wellness Check initiative by providing calls, or you would like to have someone call you, email HelpingHands@volunteerlethbridge.com to find out more.
Over summer there will be a variety of Covid-19 related and other volunteer opportunities posted on the Volunteer Lethbridge website, keep checking back for new opportunities posted weekly!
In the fall, the new UVolunteer Coordinator will be taking over. They will be available sometime later in August to answer any volunteer-related questions. If you or your club is interested in doing a volunteer collaboration in the fall, if you want suggestions on finding a volunteer opportunity that’s right for you, or you want support getting your volunteer initiative started contact uvolunteer@volunteerlethbridge.com!
Have a great summer, stay safe and well. We hope to see you on campus and out in the community in September!
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