Manual
What we do
We are strengthening 3 types of families involved in Saskatoon’s child welfare system: Foster Families, Kinship Families and Birth Parents.
Each group has uniqueness and requires specific awareness from us. But our approach to support takes a similar shape for all 3 groups and builds on these 2 components:
Family Support Events: these are incredible, intentional gatherings where families get to feel celebrated and build friendships with both peers and others. Volunteers from across Saskatoon churches are organized into roles to serve and bless these special families at our events.
Family Friendship Matching: we connect a small group of volunteers together into a pod to weave around and walk alongside a single, specific family.
We know from research and experience that these activities help the family caregivers to become stronger and more resilient. This helps keep the family together and means the kids are much more likely to grow up to live healthy lives of love and contribution within their families and communities.
Where you could fit
Our work is all about building relationships. We are constantly creating opportunities for volunteers to meet and serve at-risk families they might never otherwise get a chance to meet.
These opportunities to meet and serve start as one-time commitments. For many, this will grow into a regular role at one of our Family Support Events, or into a committed relationship with one particular family.
Most volunteers begin by serving at one of these Family Support Events:
Family Coffee and Play
Weekly on Fridays 9:30-11:30am, Lakeview Church
A weekly opportunity for foster families to drop in for encouragement. Parents connect with each other and our volunteers for encouraging adult conversation over coffee & snacks. Alongside, young children enjoy the toys and activities. Babies are passed around for snuggles!
Contact: lynn@sonsdaughters.org, 306 250-6305
Volunteer Roles
Family Helper - Join us to chat and play with parents & kids; bring something to add to our beloved snack table for families to share!
Kids Activity Assistent - Engage children aged 2-5 in the available activities or organize a special game or activity.
Host Team - One Friday per month, help the host team prepare for the gathering by setting up the room, preparing coffee, and helping with take down and clean up.
Mom & Baby Nights
Monthly on Tuesdays, 6:30pm-8:30pm, at Sanctum 1.5, 134 Avenue O South
Sanctum 1.5 is a temporary home for at-risk, new mothers who need extra support. Our gatherings are an opportunity to encourage and connect with these special moms who will need a village of support around them. During the gathering, resident moms will join our volunteer team to enjoy snacks, craft, play games and snuggle beautiful babies.
Contact: chris@sonsdaughters.org, 306 250-6305
Volunteer Roles
Family Helper - Be part of the team for an evening to craft, snuggle a baby, and get to know a special new mom. Bring a snack to add to the much beloved snack table!
Connections Centre for At-Risk Families
Weekly on Thursdays 10:30-3:30pm, Monthly on Saturdays 1-3pm at Apartment 13, 1114 Ave W)
The Connection Centre is a welcoming, hope-filled place for moms (and some dads) at risk of separation or family breakdown to turn for encouragement and support. Moms connect with each other and our volunteers for encouraging adult conversation over coffee, crafts and snacks, while the children enjoy the kids’ activity room.
Contact: Chris Pudel chris@sonsdaughters.org, (306) 717-2177
Volunteer Roles
Parent Host - This role is about connecting with at-risk moms (and some dads). Be a part of the team that welcomes parents into our Connection Centre space by initiating conversation, offering a coffee, making a sandwich, or participating in an activity with parents and other volunteers like colouring, crafting or games.
Child Host - This role is about connecting with the kids. Most children at the Connection Centre are aged 0-4 years. Be a part of the team welcoming these children into the Connection Centre space, guiding them into age-appropriate play activities; connect with and get to know a child by name; and try to highlight something special to the parent about each child.
Kinship Family Celebrations
Saturday evenings, 4:30pm - 8pm; Location varies
These lively events gather Kinship Caregivers: primarily grandparents, raising their grandchildren as a result of previous child apprehension and involvement in the foster care system. The goal is to develop a community of support for Kinship Caregivers including peers and local volunteers. These are times of celebration, encouragement and fun. The adult program gathers the Caregivers for a special meal and activities with other adults. Meanwhile the kids enjoy a special kids’ time with food, activities and encouragement.
Contact: chris@sonsdaughters.org, 306 250-6305
Volunteer Roles
Caregiver Host - This role is all about connecting with Kinship Caregivers. Volunteers will welcome Caregivers into the room, serve them a coffee and engage in conversation through a shared meal and fun group activity.
Kids Host - This role is all about connecting with Kids & Teens. Volunteers are assigned to age-specific groups of children to lead them in the prepared activities or games. Volunteers welcome and engage kids & teens at the same time as getting to know them personally.
Meal Prep and Serving - Join the team preparing the Kinship Caregiver meal. The meal coordinator assigns food items based on that evening’s menu to be either cooked at home or at the venue. Volunteers serve the meal and help clean up together.
Driver - Pick up a family to bring them to the event as well as drive them home afterwards.
Sons & Daughters also engages volunteers in committed relationships with a specific family. This is our Family Friendship Matching program.
Family Matching Volunteer
In Family Matching, volunteers join with one or two others to form a support Pod that will match with an at-risk family involved in the child welfare system. The goal is to strengthen the family by building a village of support around the Primary Caregiver (Kokum, Mom, Grandpa, etc)
This role involves a one-year commitment with a weekly involvement of approximately one-hour.
Contact: chris@sonsdaughters.org, 306 250-6305 about Family Matching opportunities.
Volunteer Requirements
Generally, volunteer roles require the following:
1. Submitting a volunteer application
2. Completing our in person and online training
3, Providing a vulnerable sector background check