Join TVB in Helping Kids on December 18
For the second year in a row, TVB is going to be leading a contingent of eager volunteers as we deliver presents across Toronto for the Toronto Star Santa Claus Fund. For many children, it will be their only present under the tree this year, and for many volunteers this may be the only time they’re free to pitch in.
All it takes is a few hours on the morning of December 18 to make a big difference in the life of an underprivileged child.
For more details or to sign up, please visit the TVB website or email tdemello@hotmail.com.
TVB Holds Another Successful Event
The Bedford Academy hosted Toronto Volunteer Bridge’s third social function on November 18, attracting more than 100 young professionals who wanted to learn more about TVB and its partner agencies.
The evening showcased TVB’s 11 partner agencies and helped recruit more than 60 new volunteers for those groups. Most importantly, everyone got a chance to meet some new people and share their enthusiasm for getting involved in the Toronto community.
One of the key benefits of the TVB event was the opportunity for volunteers to “sign up” with TVB. In simple terms, volunteers submit their name, contact info, and basic interests, and in the weeks that follow the event, TVB staff contact the individual to provide coaching and guidance towards a linking with one of TVB’s charity partners. TVB even makes the link on behalf of the volunteers, to make it even easier to volunteer. And if volunteering on a regular basis doesn’t fit the prospective volunteer’s schedule, TVB has periodic “one-off” volunteering events, which you can learn about through TVB’s website, or this e-Newsletter (see above!).
In addition to attracting new volunteers, the success of TVB’s social events is largely attributable to returning volunteers, who come back to share their experiences with the group. Renee Coutinho shared the story of her TVB experience and her time with the Boys and Girls Club during a short segment that included presentations by Scott Lawrence, TVB Chair, and Toni De Mello, TVB Co-ordinator for Partner Organizations.
The rest of the night was spent mingling with representatives from LOFT Community Services, Culture Link, and Boys and Girls Club, as well as the large number of young professionals from across the city.
Stay tuned to this space in January, to find out more about our upcoming events!
Spotlight on LOFT Community Services
LOFT is a community service organization that offers permanent housing, community outreach, and supportive housing services to over 2,500 vulnerable and homeless people at 50 sites in the Greater Toronto area and York Region.
 LOFT accepts people on their own terms, providing the necessary resources to support them as they recover their health, dignity, and self-esteem. The ladder in their logo represents the tools offered people to help them rise up and regain their lives. From modest beginnings in 1953, LOFT has become one of the area's most diverse organizations dealing with homelessness, with programs specifically designed to meet the housing and support challenges of youth, adults, and seniors with special needs. LOFT's housing portfolio currently serves over 700 people per year, its community support services reach an additional 600 people, and its outreach services another 1,200.
LOFT is seeking volunteers for its Community Services Senior's Programs, which provide specialized housing, outreach and support in Toronto to frail, isolated seniors with various special needs through four supportive housing services located in downtown Toronto. In particular, volunteers are needed for: assistance during meals, social activities and special events, clerical support, driving, entertainment, friendly visiting, store assistance, social recreation, escort to shopping and medical appointments, and spring cleaning.
If anyone has painting experience and is interested in leading a group of eager TVB volunteers for a weekend painting blitz, LOFT could use our assistance in keeping its facilities looking clean and fresh. Please contact us if you know anyone that fits this description!
TVB Gets a New Website
While TVB hosts periodic "one-off" volunteering events and a number of social events throughout the year, the TVB website is up and running 365 days a year, 24 hours a day.
Visiting TVB’s new website, www.volunteerbridge.ca, is a great way to stay on top of what’s going on with TVB, to learn more about the charities that need your help, and to have new members get into the TVB pipeline quicker. Signing up on the web is identical to signing up at a TVB social event – and will ensure that you get invited to our next social outing!
A special thanks goes out to Vidya at Word of Web Digital Media, and Linda and Jen at Sequentia Communications for their contributions to making the website a beautiful reality, and Michael at Interad Media for making the “nuts and bolts” of the site come together.
Help us spread the word about the important work that TVB is undertaking — tell your friends to visit www.volunteerbridge.ca!
What are we doing right?
What could TVB do better?
What are you looking for in a volunteering opportunity?
Want to get involved with TVB?
For any of these issues, or any others that come to mind, please let us know by e-mail at info@volunteerbridge.ca or by phone at 416-957-8029.
Toronto Volunteer Bridge is an entirely volunteer-run organization. All of us are 25-35 years old and live and work across the GTA. TVB is a registered charity.
If you or your company are interested in sponsoring TVB, please e-mail us at sponsor@volunteerbridge.ca.
|
