Canadian National Institute for the Blind is in need of volunteers in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows for their Vision Mate program.
The program matches people who are blind or partially sighted with sighted volunteers, providing them with companionship and one-on-one assistance with everyday tasks and activities.
Volunteers would help with running errands, going for walks, labeling and organizing household items, reading, or going on fun outings and recreational activities.
Matches are made with someone who lives close to a volunteer’s home, school or work.
Visits are typically two hours a week in the person’s home or another suitable place at a mutually convenient time.
The institute aims to match people for a minimum of six months, although there is no maximum time for a match to continue.
“Ideally, it will continue for years to come, as the Vision Mate relationship often transitions to friendship,” said the institute online.
Volunteers should be trustworthy, patient, empathetic and friendly, in addition to being reliable, organized, and able to work with minimal supervision.
They should also have excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
The institute provides orientation about their organization, the people they help, vision loss, as well as training specific to the position.
A clear police record check is needed, along with two reference check. Volunteers must be 18 year or older.
Those interested in applying to be a volunteer, can fill out a volunteer application form, and specify Vision Mate under name of specific position.
For more information about the program or about volunteering with CNIB, go to: https://www.cnib.ca/en, and click on “Volunteer” at the bottom of the page, or call: 1-800-563-2642.