Volunteer Ottawa, in concert with the City of Ottawa Human Services Task Force, Ottawa Public Health and United Way Eastern Ontario has established a pool of pre-screened volunteers and is accepting new applicants here. They have finalized a detailed plan focused on volunteer recruitment and deployment specific to those affected by COVID-19. This plan targets the following volunteer needs:
- Virtual Volunteering: Volunteering that can be performed without any contact, such as telephone outreach to vulnerable communities/individuals, information dissemination, etc.
- Light Touch Volunteering: Volunteering that can be performed with minimal contact, such as pickup and delivery services for vulnerable individuals, such as Meals on Wheels, food delivery, etc.
- High Touch Volunteering: Volunteering that must be performed with increased contact, such as passenger transportation to medical appointments, volunteer support to essential services’ workers, etc.
As part of that plan, they will work with the City of Ottawa Human Services Task Force, Ottawa Public Health and United Way to ensure proper screening and training protocols to safeguard the health of those volunteering and those they are assisting.
Our office will, however, continue to track interest in volunteer through the form below. We will also begin tracking those whose needs are going unmet through a survey here, and may directly connect volunteers with those in need should the need arise. We will be in touch when we have community support activities that need to be carried out. In the meantime, please see this list of organizations that could use your support now. Finally, remember to read Ottawa Public Health's memo on volunteering here.