• Develop new skills
• Participate in training opportunities
• Meet new people and make new friends
• Find out about community services
• Gain practical knowledge of Canadian workplaces
• Add Canadian experience to your resumé
• Improve your English or French
• Increase your understanding of Canadian culture
• Feel good about the difference you are making.
• Your community can benefit from your talents, skills and perspectives
• You can improve the lives of your neighbours and community members
• You can improve the environment in which you live
• You can share your experiences and culture with those around you
• You can address community issues or needs

At the Welcome Centres, our volunteer program gives you a number of different opportunities to get involved, depending on your interests, skills and time available. Whatever you do with us, you’ll…

• Meet new people and contribute to your community
• Welcome newcomers and immigrants, and support them as they adapt to life in Whistler
• Have access to a range of training and skills development opportunities
• Add it to your resume
• Receive a reference after 6 months, or 50 hours, of participation
• Gain workplace experience working directly with people in English and develop skills for future career opportunities.
• Practice and develop English language skills, especially listening and speaking and communication skills.
• Build knowledge and skills to support friends and co-workers (your ‘peers’)

Tutor an adult learner in listening, speaking, reading, writing, and comprehension of the English Language. Share cultural experiences and help the learner connect to the broader community. [More detail… ESL tutor job description]

Support qualifying Canadians, newcomers and immigrants to complete simple income tax and benefit returns using computer software at tax clinics. [More detail… Income Tax Preparer job description]

Assist Settlement Worker and other service provider representatives by managing clients and registration, and providing a first line of information to clients at the weekly service provider drop-in session. [More detail… Settlement Resource Assistant job description]

Support the Whistler Welcome Centre and its staff by advising on what services and programs are required by immigrants and newcomers in Whistler. Support the Whistler Multicultural Festival planning, budgeting and delivery processes.  [More detail… Immigrant Advisory Board member job description]

Support your peers, your social, family and work connections, with information and referrals that help them cope with adjusting and adapting to life in Canada and Whistler. [More detail… Immigrant Peer Educator job description]

Work with the Multicultural Outreach Worker to run monthly Multicultural Community Kitchens.  Help prepare, manage and record each event, encourage participants connect to each other, and ensure cultural sharing is enjoyable. [More detail… Multicultural Community Kitchens Assistant job description]

Friday Multicultural Meet Up facilitator works in close collaboration with the Welcome Centre Outreach Worker on developing the program schedule, exploring new ideas on an ongoing basis, and creating a friendly environment where immigrants and newcomers can connect with each other while having a coffee/tea and encourage participation in the weekly activity. [More detail… Welcome Centre Drop In Assistant job description]

Work with Welcome Centre staff to build immigrant understanding of the value of volunteering in Canada, promote Welcome Centre volunteer opportunities, recruit and support volunteers, and coordinate volunteer tracking for recognition and references. [More detail… Welcome Centre Volunteer Coordinator job description]