How to Get Involved
As of April 2016, over 180 Bow Valley residents have volunteered to assist with the Bow Valley Syria Project. We are very grateful for this support, and at the moment, we do not require additional volunteers. But that doesn’t mean you can’t help make make the Bow Valley more welcoming for refugees and other newcomers, including:
- Becoming a volunteer tutor with the Bow Valley Literacy program
- Volunteering with Settlement Services in the Bow Valley or the Town of Banff’s Get Out after school programs
- Donating or volunteering with one of the organizations listed in the Bow Valley Affordability Guide
For more information, please contact the Bow Valley Immigration Partnership at: bvip@banff.ca or 403 431 0705.
********
Volunteering for the Bow Valley Syria Project
If you are interested in helping with some of the volunteer opportunities below, please complete and submit this form.
If you prefer, you can send an email directly, just be sure to include your Name, Email, Phone number, as well as an indication of what area you would like to volunteer for.
Email: bowvalleysyria@gmail.com
Volunteer Opportunities
Application/Arrivals Team*
Application/Arrivals Team
Application/Arrivals Preparation Lead
- sponsorship agreement application and processing (liaise with RSMUC)
Airport Reception Lead and volunteers
- preparation for initial meeting
Home Support Team*
Home Support Team Lead
Housing/Furniture Lead and volunteers
- secure housing, implement repairs, assemble furniture
Household Items/Clothing Lead and volunteers
- assemble kitchen,/cleaning etc. supplies, clothing
Groceries/Cooking Lead and volunteers
- assist with shopping, orientation to kitchen/cooking
Welcome to Canmore Lead and volunteers
- assemble maps, provide introduction to library and recreation services, connect with like families, liaise with child care
Transportation Lead and volunteers
- assemble rosters of drivers, orient to Roam Transit
Settlement Support Team*
Settlement Support Team Lead
Interpreter/Language Lead
- liaise/schedule interpreters, link through BVSS to ESL training
School Liaison Lead and volunteers
- working with BVSS, orient to school system, assist to register
Heath Care Liaison Lead
- with help from BVSS, orient to health care system, assist in registering, assist in finding doctor, dentist etc.
ESL/Job Training/Employment Counseling Lead and volunteers
- assist in finding suitable language and vocational training
Financial/Banking Lead
- orient to banking system, assist in opening accounts etc
Fundraising/Communications Team*
Fundraising/Communications Team Lead
Fundraising Lead and volunteers
- fundraising plan for cash & in-kind (liaise with Home Support Team) donations
Communication Lead and volunteers
- communications plan, outreach to BV residents & local service, clubs/community organizations, website, recruitment of volunteers
* designated volunteers on these teams will provide primary in-person support to the family. These volunteers will be required to undergo an RCMP record check; and agree to respect the confidentiality of the information they may be privy to.