Volunteering
Care Matters
Volunteers are important members of our team.
Volunteers are valuable members of the Evergreen team, enhancing the residents’ quality of life by contributing to their overall well-being, while creating meaningful relationships.
Volunteer positions are available at Evergreen, or at our Second-Hand Shop.
We welcome volunteers of all ages, 15 years and under with adult accompaniment, for day and evening shifts on both weekdays and weekends. We are flexible with our activities to accommodate what works for our volunteers.
You choose how often you would like to come, daily, monthly, or occasionally. Complimentary homemade meals are provided.
Those that volunteer report better overall physical and emotional health, and well-being. Others report feeling valued, meeting new people, resulting personal growth, and lots of fun!
There are a variety of volunteer companionship positions available. Below are a few examples:
Meal Assist Companion
You will receive specialized training to assist residents with meals and fluids, and you will receive a complimentary homemade meal when volunteering.
Two-hour shifts are available at these times:
7-9am
9-11am
11-1pm
2-4pm
4-6pm
6-8pm
Meal Companion
Working in this position, you will accompany residents during usual meal times, engage in conversations, refill glasses and cups, clean tables, and help with dishes.
This position does not assist residents with eating.
Two-hour shifts are available at these times:
7-9am
9-11am
11-1pm
5-7pm
You will also receive a complimentary homemade meal when volunteering.
Walking Companion
This position requires you to accompany residents for morning walks. These may be one-on one walks or small group walks, and can take place inside our facility, and in our garden and pathways. Walks can also take place outside our facility along the Seawalk, in the forest, or at the School track.
Walking times start at 7, 8, 9, or 10am.
Complimentary breakfast is offered to our walking companions.
One -to- One Companion
Your schedule is our schedule. However, we suggest a shift range between two and four hours. These are some suggested times: 9-11am, 9-noon; 1-3pm; 2-4pm; 1-4pm, 6-8pm
These are some of the activities that our residents enjoy. You may also have some other ideas, and we would love to hear them.
Self-Care - one-on-one listening with an empathetic ear, hand massages, meditation, nail salon, yoga, make-up and hairstyling
Reading - one-on-one or small groups, book clubs, current events
Crafts - painting, knitting, sewing, repurposing, small projects
Writing - letters, greeting cards, newsletters
Technology - help with using the internet, emailing, video calls, using the VR
Spirituality - bible reading, church hymns, poetry reading, journaling, time in nature, tarot & oracle cards, time by the ocean
Gardening - pairing with residents for planning and growing, planting, weeding, watering, and gardening clubs
Group Companion
Sports and/or Fitness Activities - Bocce ball, golf, badminton, yoga, swimming, stretching, chair exercises, watching a game with someone, playing sports on the Wii
Games – cards, trivia, puzzles
Outings - Assisting our staff on outings, picnics, scenic drives
Reading groups
Prayer or study group
Entertainment Companion
Entertainment - card games, cribbage, bingo, hosting documentaries, board games, working on puzzles together, sharing photos, bringing around an activity cart and distributing audio books, crosswords, magazines, books, colouring and activity books, and small snacks
Music - playing instruments, sing-alongs, karaoke, choir, dancing
Special Events - set up, decorating, food and beverage service, happy hour
Theme nights - Burger and a Beer; Poetry and Jazz
Host a Movie Night – enjoy a movie with us, popcorn is on the house
Second - Hand Shop Volunteers
Volunteering for the shop is available both at Evergreen and at the shop location.
We welcome volunteers for companionship, and to support with the following tasks:
sorting clothing into seasons, sizes, fabric
steaming and ironing clothing
sewing, hemming, alterations
wiping books
doing puzzles to see if complete or counting the puzzle pieces
setting up board games, maybe trying them out
cleaning and testing appliances
cleaning and sorting the knick- knacks
cleaning and disinfecting toys
Shop Load Transporter
The residents sort, clean and prep items at Evergreen. These items then need to be transported to the shop for sale. Items also require transportation to storage, or for disposal. If this sounds like something you would enjoy, you will receive a Volunteer Bucks card with a $5 credit for each trip. And our prices are cheap!
Reserved Dementia Friendly Shopping
The shop is closed to the general public between 9-11am (what days), as this time is reserved for a dementia friendly atmosphere for the residents of Evergreen, their families and caregivers, and those living with dementia or other chronic illness in our community.
We have the coffee on, some light snacks, and we shop, sort and clean, listen to music, and reminisce. Come and join us!
Sewing and Alterations
The Second-Hand Shop has its own line of sustainable, accessible fashion called ‘Who Dun it’. It was an idea created from solving an issue - we looked at all this clothing and 2+2 = accessible clothing for our residents. Some residents require altered clothing in order to accommodate physical limitations, equipment needs, and comfort. We realized . . . we can make it!
Who Dun It includes snap-up tops (snaps instead of buttons or zippers), open back tops, snap-up pants, open back pants, customized pajamas and more!
If you like sewing, you can do it at our house or yours!
If you are interested in joining us, or for more information, please contact:
Becky Uren
Director of Culture, Community and Engagement
“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.”
— Elizabeth Andrew