Kindred's Families Together
Kindred is all about realizing the power of human connection. Our programs and services respond to the challenges that threatened families and leave them vulnerable. Through a focus on enhancing the mental health and well-being of our clients, we can help clients build strong and resilient families: allowing them to live the lives they have always wanted.
In the spirit of reciprocity, volunteers at Kindred are individuals, couples and families who contribute their time and passion, without the expectation of compensation, to our purpose of realizing the power of human connection. Partners in this purpose value courageous leadership, kindness, respect, compassion and accountability.
What's Involved
- The placement student role provides support to the Families Together team. The Families Together program is a 60-minute family-based community program.
- The program is divided into two components.
- The first half of the program involves the entire family and is activity-based.
- The second half is a discussion-based parent group.
- Activities during each week of program focuses on a specific, parent-chosen topic.
- The placement student helps to lead activities, guides discussion, and offers support to participants throughout the program.
- This role is flexible and can include other roles and responsibilities such as supply shopping, activity bag packing, curriculum development, etc.
Requirements
- Pre-service teachers need a current Police Information Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening (issued after July 1 of the year you are participating). Students who do not already have a police check should begin this process at their local police station as soon as possible, as police checks often take 4-6 weeks to process.
- Students placed with Kindred also require a Child Intervention Check issued by Alberta Human Services. More information about the CIC will be provided at the orientation session.
- Volunteer References and Intake Documents will need to be completed and submitted once applicants are placed with Kindred's Families Together.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Apply a variety of facilitation strategies to encourage discussion, generate ideas, and build consensus
- Design and implement a variety of activities that meet students’ interests and learning needs
- Gain experience working with youth in a small group setting
- Lead or co-lead the component of at least one project within the program
- Model positive behaviour for children, youth, teachers, and parents
Werklund Dates and Times
FALL 2023 (Application is now closed.)
- Werklund Fall 2023 Wrap-Up Session: Friday, December 8, 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm (Zoom)
- Fall 2023 Placements End: mid-December
WINTER 2024
- Winter 2024 application will open on November 20, 2024.
- Werklund Winter 2024 Orientation: Monday, December 11, 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm (Zoom)
- Winter 2024 Placements Start: early January (program dependent)
- Werklund Winter 2024 Check-In Session: Monday, January 29 at
- 9:30 am - 10:30 am (in-person) or
- 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm (Zoom)
- Werklund Winter 2024 Wrap-Up Session: Tuesday, March 12, 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm (Zoom)
- Winter 2024 Placements End: mid-March (program dependent)
Families Together Service Dates
- Orientation/Training Session: TBA for Winter 2024
- Session times are weekday evenings, typically Tuesdays. Program runs for 60 minutes each week. Programs usually start at 6:00pm.
In total, pre-service teachers agree to commit to a minimum of 20 hours for their service-learning experience
Making Connections
- Throughout the semester, pre-service teachers will curate their volunteering experiences using a creative medium (e.g., photos, art, storyboarding, videos, etc.) that best reflects their experiences in the program. Your creative reflections will form part of a public showcase of Werklund student experiences later in the year.
- Pre-service teachers will participate in 2 group meetings: one at the mid-point and another at the end of their placement (1 hour each). These group meetings provide pre-service teachers with opportunities to reflect on the community placement experience and to guide improvements for the program.
Winter 2024 applications are now closed.
Interested in applying for a future semester?
- Log on to Elevate and go to My Werklund Experiences > Courses/Programs
- Find the Service-Learning program and click Apply
- Complete the Service-Learning Application
I am so grateful for this organization, this program, and for the amazing coordinators. I have loved being a part of this program and I think it has been such a point of certainty and excitement as we all navigate the uncertainty of our world today.
Families Together Volunteer