FAQ

What makes volunteering at Pathways unique?
By volunteering at Pathways, you will be part of an exciting project designed to increase success in high school and access to post-secondary education for students living in the North Hamilton communities of Bennetto and Keith. It’s an excellent experience for those interested in a teaching or youth development career, with life experience to share, or simply wishing “to make a difference.”

What will the volunteer work entail?
Pathways volunteers commit to a regular routine from October to June. Depending on the type of placement, volunteers have the choice of multiple days of the week. The weekly time commitment is 2 to 3 hours between 5 and 8 p.m. As a volunteer, you are expected to participate in on-going training and keep Pathways staff updated on successes and difficulties. You will also be asked to log your hours and briefly describe each session's activities.

What support is available for volunteers?
You have the skills, interest and motivation to work with youth; we have the ideas and resources to make your placement successful. Initial training will take place in September and continue throughout the year. We assign staff to organize and support the volunteers and students on an on-going basis and as needed. At each program site, our staff assist with attendance records, supervision and distribution of resource equipment.

What is expected of a volunteer tutor?
As a volunteer tutor, you:

• Provide academic support and are a role model to our students; 
•  Focus on literacy and learning through context and relevant applications;
• Tutor up to four students one night per week (two to three hours) in a group setting;
• Share information with Pathways staff in time set aside for logging work with students and discussing study skills.

What is expected of a volunteer group mentor?
As a volunteer group mentor, you:

• Provide social and emotional support through mentoring activities and discussions;
• Lead a group of up to 15 students with two other volunteer mentors;
• Commit to a mentoring group, two to three hours, once weekly or bi-weekly between October and June;
• Share information with other volunteers and Pathways staff in time set aside for debriefing sessions and planning.

Where do I get more information about this and how do I sign up?

Use our online Sign Up Form to get more information about Pathways or to begin your registration for a volunteer role!