Questions:
1. What type of programs and services does OCISO provide for newcomers to Canada?
2. How many staff work at OCISO?
3. Where is the OCISO office located in Ottawa?
4. How many people use the services at OCISO on a yearly basis?
5. Does OCISO receive funding support for its work with newcomers to Canada?
6. How do I apply to become a volunteer with OCISO?
7. What do volunteers do at OCISO?
8. What skills do I need in order to work as a volunteer?
9. Is there an orientation program to help volunteers get started in their work?
10. If I speak additional languages, is it possible to be assigned to work with persons who speak the same language(s)?
11. If I am not able to work on the week scheduled for my volunteer role, is it possible to re-schedule for another time?
12. Do I work with people of all different ages as a volunteer at OCISO?
13. Do volunteers work both during the week and on weekends?
14. How many hours per week are required from volunteers?
15. I have lots of other commitments - do I have to volunteer at the same time every week?
16. Can I be reimbursed if I have to travel by car or bus to reach my volunteer location?
17. If I am a student can I receive credits for my volunteer work with OCISO?
18. Can I use OCISO as a reference on my resume for work or school?
ANSWERS:
1. OCISO offers a range of programs and services to help newcomers settle into their new life in Canada. These programs include:
• Settlement services, including career mentoring programs to help with securing employment opportunities
• Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) Program, where free childcare is provided for parents participating in classes
• Counselling Program, providing supportive guidance for persons who have experienced trauma and upheaval in leaving their homelands
• Multicultural Liaison Officer (MLO) Program, providing integration services in schools
• Community Development Program
• Summer ESL Camp: Step Ahead Program
• Cross-Cultural Training, providing workshops on multiculturalism and cross-cultural trends and issues
• Volunteer Program
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2. OCISO currently employs approximately 120 staff members in a variety of departments. Our staff come from many different backgrounds, including social work, counselling, teaching, finance, and administration.
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3. OCISO staff work at four different locations across Ottawa. These locations include offices at:
• 959 Wellington St. (Community Integration, Counselling, and Mentorship Programs)
• 945 Wellington St. (Volunteer Program, Administration, Community Development, Multicultural Liaison Coordinators)
• LINC-Ottawa East 940 Belfast Road Suite 202
• LINC-Ottawa South at 1800 Bank St.
All OCISO offices are easily accessible by OC Transpo.
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4. Over 25,000 immigrants and refugees a year are supported through the programs and services offered at OCISO.
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5. OCISO operates as a non-profit organization in Canada and relies on core funding from Canadian funding sources at the federal, provincial, and municipal level, as well as international funding support. Some of OCISO's funders include:
• Citizen and Immigration Canada (CIC)
• Department of Canadian Heritage
• Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC)
• Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration
• Conseil Scolaire des écoles publiques de l'Est de l'Ontario
• Conseil scolaire des écoles catholique de Centre Est (CSDCEO)
• Ontario Trillium Foundation
• City of Ottawa
• Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB)
• United Way/Centraide Ottawa
• United Nations Voluntary Fund for the Victims of Torture (UNVFVT)
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6. Omaima Faris is the Volunteer Coordinator on staff at OCISO. You may contact Omaima by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by calling telephone # 613-725-5671 ext. 333. You will be asked to provide a current resume with your email, your availability for volunteering, and your area of interest, e.g., career mentoring, tutoring, the age group for the persons that you would like to work with, etc. This information helps us match volunteer skills and interest with the service delivery needs of OCISO.
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7. Volunteers provide support for the staff working at OCISO. There are a variety of programs that volunteers can participate in, including:
• Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC)
• Mentoring Programs - career and youth
• Youth Program
• Summer ESL Program
• Homework Tutor - for children, youth, and adults
• Communication/Special Events
• Translation and Interpretation
• Receptionist/ Office Support
• Seniors' and Women's Programs
• Administrative/Office support
• Conversation and social group activities
There are enough activities available to match the unique interests of all volunteers who participate in OCISO's Volunteer Program.
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8. Volunteers can contribute a variety of skills to the work at OCISO.
• Parents can provide their varied experiences and skills to help newcomer parents and families adapt to their new home in Canada and learn about childcare resources and educational programs in their new country.
• Computer skills, teaching and tutoring experience, and language instruction are all valuable skills that can help in the programs offered.
• Administrative and office support skills
• Writing skills can be used to support staff in writing reports, applying for funding, and communicating with clients and the public
• Professional qualifications can be used as a career mentor, helping foreign-trained professionals enter the Canadian workforce
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9. Yes, there is an orientation session which is mandatory for all OCISO volunteers to attend. Once your Volunteer Application Package has been submitted and reviewed, you will be invited to a group orientation session. These are held once a month at OCISO's Wellington Street location. The session will give the prospective volunteers a chance to learn more about OCISO's policies, programs, and about the role of OCISO in the community, a well as what volunteer positions are available. It is also a good chance to confirm whether or not OCISO is a good fit for you as a volunteer.
Volunteers who join the Mentorship Program can participate in a Career Mentor Orientation Program that is offered at OCISO on a monthly basis. This provides an introduction for volunteers on how to help newcomers gain employment in their desired area of work. The orientation is a two-hour session which introduces volunteers to the process of helping internationally trained professionals to gain employment in Canada, working with volunteers who are employed in a similar field.
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10. Yes. OCISO always strives to make the best possible match between volunteers and clients. Any attributes or skills that enhance the match between volunteer and newcomer client are taken into consideration during the volunteer assessment process.
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11. Yes. The volunteer position is flexible according to your schedule, although advance notice of absences is appreciated. The only exception is for childcare and classroom assignments. Commitment and punctuality are very important when working in coordination with families and teachers. In the event of unexpected changes or illness, the Volunteer Coordinator will make every effort to find a replacement.
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12. Yes. Depending on your area of interest and your past experience, you can be assigned to work with children, youth, newcomer adults, or seniors groups. For example, experience in early childhood education can likely be a great match for parents needing childcare assistance while they are involved in learning English language instruction through the LINC.
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13. The schedule for most volunteer work at OCISO is generally between 9-5 and 5-8 pm evenings. On rare occasions, for example, special events or private tutoring, there may be some work scheduled for weekends. However, this is generally the exception, not the norm.
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14. A volunteer is asked to provide a minimum of one to four hours per week on average. If a volunteer is available for additional hours, that can be arranged by the Volunteer Coordinator. A commitment of three months minimum is expected of all volunteers who join OCISO in order to make this a worthwhile experience for all persons involved. A successful volunteer experience requires commitment on the part of both OCISO and the individual volunteer.
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15. Some volunteers like to have a fixed appointment with their service user, but others arrange appointments on a week by week basis, for example, if they work shifts. This is fine, as long as the volunteer is reliable and consistent, and keeps the volunteer coordinator updated.
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16. If transportation is a concern for you please contact the volunteer coordinator to arrange reimbursement. Volunteers that choose to use their own vehicle can receive reimbursement for travel when volunteering by filling out the mileage log form. Volunteers that use bus services can make a request for bus tickets.
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17. This depends on your academic institution and must be organized through your school. Students may wish to apply for a student placement with OCISO, however, students are encouraged to apply in advance and arrange a placement before the start of the semester.
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18. OCISO is willing to provide references for volunteers who have completed a minimum of 60 hours of volunteer service.
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• Communication/Special Events
• Translation and Interpretation
• Receptionist/ Office Support
• Seniors' and Women's Programs
• Administrative/Office support
• Conversation and social group activities
There are enough activities available to match the unique interests of all volunteers who participate in OCISO's Volunteer Program.
Up
8. Volunteers can contribute a variety of skills to the work at OCISO.
• Parents can provide their varied experiences and skills to help newcomer parents and families adapt to their new home in Canada and learn about childcare resources and educational programs in their new country.
• Computer skills, teaching and tutoring experience, and language instruction are all valuable skills that can help in the programs offered.
• Administrative and office support skills
• Writing skills can be used to support staff in writing reports, applying for funding, and communicating with clients and the public
• Professional qualifications can be used as a career mentor, helping foreign-trained professionals enter the Canadian workforce
Up
9. Yes, there is an orientation session which is mandatory for all OCISO volunteers to attend. Once your Volunteer Application Package has been submitted and reviewed, you will be invited to a group orientation session. These are held once a month at OCISO's Wellington Street location. The session will give the prospective volunteers a chance to learn more about OCISO's policies, programs, and about the role of OCISO in the community, a well as what volunteer positions are available. It is also a good chance to confirm whether or not OCISO is a good fit for you as a volunteer.
Volunteers who join the Mentorship Program can participate in a Career Mentor Orientation Program that is offered at OCISO on a monthly basis. This provides an introduction for volunteers on how to help newcomers gain employment in their desired area of work. The orientation is a two-hour session which introduces volunteers to the process of helping internationally trained professionals to gain employment in Canada, working with volunteers who are employed in a similar field.
Up
10. Yes. OCISO always strives to make the best possible match between volunteers and clients. Any attributes or skills that enhance the match between volunteer and newcomer client are taken into consideration during the volunteer assessment process.
Up
11. Yes. The volunteer position is flexible according to your schedule, although advance notice of absences is appreciated. The only exception is for childcare and classroom assignments. Commitment and punctuality are very important when working in coordination with families and teachers. In the event of unexpected changes or illness, the Volunteer Coordinator will make every effort to find a replacement.
Up
12. Yes. Depending on your area of interest and your past experience, you can be assigned to work with children, youth, newcomer adults, or seniors groups. For example, experience in early childhood education can likely be a great match for parents needing childcare assistance while they are involved in learning English language instruction through the LINC.
Up
13. The schedule for most volunteer work at OCISO is generally between 9-5 and 5-8 pm evenings. On rare occasions, for example, special events or private tutoring, there may be some work scheduled for weekends. However, this is generally the exception, not the norm.
Up
14. A volunteer is asked to provide a minimum of one to four hours per week on average. If a volunteer is available for additional hours, that can be arranged by the Volunteer Coordinator. A commitment of three months minimum is expected of all volunteers who join OCISO in order to make this a worthwhile experience for all persons involved. A successful volunteer experience requires commitment on the part of both OCISO and the individual volunteer.
Up
15. Some volunteers like to have a fixed appointment with their service user, but others arrange appointments on a week by week basis, for example, if they work shifts. This is fine, as long as the volunteer is reliable and consistent, and keeps the volunteer coordinator updated.
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16. If transportation is a concern for you please contact the volunteer coordinator to arrange reimbursement. Volunteers that choose to use their own vehicle can receive reimbursement for travel when volunteering by filling out the mileage log form. Volunteers that use bus services can make a request for bus tickets.
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17. This depends on your academic institution and must be organized through your school. Students may wish to apply for a student placement with OCISO, however, students are encouraged to apply in advance and arrange a placement before the start of the semester.
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18. OCISO is willing to provide references for volunteers who have completed a minimum of 60 hours of volunteer service.
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