Philosophy:

The volunteer will live simply in a shared household with other volunteers where caring relationships can be affirmed and nurtured. It is expected that the volunteer will develop relationships with the other volunteers, be open to giving and receiving counsel, and enthusiastically participate in issues (which include faith, lifestyle, and values) and activities of the local MVS unit and community. While there are differing expectations regarding how one is involved in the local faith community, the volunteer is willing to use his or her gifts and develop a relationship within the expectations of the local faith community.

Essentials:

Develop a healthy relationship with the other volunteers in the unit, serve the wider community in the respective volunteer placements and be engaged in a relationship with the local congregation and community.

Job 1

Organization : Bethel Mennonite Church
Title: Community Ministry Assistant
Unit Name : MVSA Winnipeg
Date available: September
Part time position

Term Length: 1 - 2 years 

Organization Description: As an urban congregation, Bethel Mennonite Church conducts a ministry that seeks to provide wholesome, supportive after school and evening activities for children and families in the immediate community. These include a reading program, Kidz Club, Junior Youth drop-in as well as special events such as community dinners and camp experiences.

Position Description:

-  Work alongside the Community Minister to plan and lead regular program activities

-  Communicate with and coordinate program volunteers

-  Plan and lead devotional times 

-  Assist with the reading support program 

Job 2

Organization : Carter Early Learning Center
Title: Child Care Assistant
Unit Name : MVSA Winnipeg
Date available: September
Full time position

Term Length: 1 - 2 years

Organization Description: The Carter Early Learning Center was started in 1974 by a small group from Bethel Mennonite Church in Winnipeg, who had a vision of opening a daycare to reach out to the surrounding community.  The vision became Care Early Learning Centre, first operating out of the Bethel Church parsonage, and later moving to the basement of the Bethel Mennonite Church in 1992.  The mission is to provide a safe, warm and loving place where children can grow and thrive in all physical, emotional, social areas. This is done through indoor and outdoor play, circle time, singing and many activities.

The children that attend the centre are ages 2-5, coming from approximately 30 families from the surrounding community and Bethel Church, many from single parent and lower income families.

 Position Description:
-  Work as part of a staff team to plan and implement a creative daily environment for children ages 2-5

-  Supervise children in daily routines

-  Provide a warm, stimulating, supportive learning environment for young children

Job 3 

Organization : Mennonite Centreal Commitee (MCC) Thrift Store
Title: MCC Thrift Store Volunteer
Unit Name : MVSA Winnipeg
Date available: September
Part time position

Term Length: 1 - 2 years 

Organization Description: As part of a network of MCC not-for-profit Thrift Shops, we support the local and global relief, development and peace work of Mennonite Central Committee.

Position Description:

-  Accept donations of clothing and other items for sale in the store

-  Work as part of a team, inspecting and pricing items, displaying items for sale

-  Represent the face of MCC to the public as a friendly, safe, and considerate place to browse and make purchases of used items   

Job 4

Organization :  Harvest Manitoba
Title: Warehouse worker/Van Driver
Unit Name : MVSA Winnipeg
Date available: September
Full time position

Term Length: 1 to 2 years

Organization Description:  Harvest Manitoba is a non-profit, community based centre for food distribution and training.  They are committed to collect and share surplus food with people who struggle to feed themselves and their families, and to offer training to help people step up and out of poverty.  Through a wide network of agencies and churches, it distributes hundreds of thousands of pounds of food per month.  A warehouse with freezing and cooling capabilities handles donations and seasonal surpluses for later distribution.  Harvest is committed to maximizing public awareness of hunger with the ultimate goal to eliminate the need for food banks in the Winnipeg community. 

Position Description:
- Work in the central warehouse sorting, repackaging and preparing food for distribution

- Deliver food donations to local distribution points for client pickup

- Operate fork lifts and other warehouse equipment 

- Drive a Harvest Manitoba van to pick up surplus goods from donors

- Demonstrate leadership in working with casual, short-term volunteers

Job 5

Organization :  Hospitality House Refugee Ministry
Title: Refugee Sponsorship Community Worker
Unit Name : MVSA Winnipeg
Date available: September
Part time position

Term Length: 1 to 2 years

Organization Description: Hospitality House Refugee Ministry (HHRM) is a non-profit organization in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Our goal is to sponsor as many refugees as possible so long as they arrive comfortably and have access to proper living conditions. We strongly believe that it is our responsibility to make sure that all refugees arriving to Canada have adequate living conditions and equal opportunities to flourish. Our dedicated staff and volunteers work with the community to make this all happen. 

Position Description:

-  Interview relatives or friends of refugee families, get refugee sponsorship applications approved

-  Aid in every phase of the sponsorship process until arrival of the refugee family

-  Enable refugee families torn apart by upheaval to be reunited through sponsoring church and community groups