Active Volunteers
Volunteer Hour Supporting Programs in 2025
Areas to Volunteer in
Kitsilano Neighbourhood House values volunteers and their commitment to share their skills, knowledge, ideas, time, and enthusiasm!
KNH volunteers are active at all levels in the organization, from the Community Board to administration, and from direct service programs to program planning. The Kits House Volunteer Team donates thousands of hours each year to support Kits House in its programs and activities. Without volunteer support, many of our programs simply would not exist.
GETTING STARTED
To get started, carefully read through the sections on this page to make sure you are a good fit with the programs offered here at Kits House and that the timing of KNH programs is a fit with your own schedule and availability. Most KNH programs happen on weekdays, during the day, when staff are working. There are very few evening or weekend volunteer opportunities.
Kits House volunteers are independent and self-directed! Kits House volunteers use a volunteer management software called “Better Impact” for scheduling in for shifts in programs and activities. *All volunteers are expected to learn how to use the software and to self-schedule.
If you choose to proceed with onboarding as a Kits House volunteer, click on the red Become a Volunteer button and follow the instructions to complete the online volunteer registration.
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- When you register you are creating your volunteer profile on Better Impact Software!
- Keep track of your username and password as you will need these to access the Better Impact volunteer software when the volunteer onboarding process is complete.
- Once you have registered as a volunteer, you will be emailed the access code for the online portal to apply for a criminal record check. Please note that the organization name on the criminal record check must be “Association of Neighbourhood Houses BC”. Kits House does not accept criminal record checks issued to other agencies.
- There is no charge to the volunteer for the criminal record check.
- Criminal record checks must be renewed every 5 years from their issue date.
- The KNH volunteer onboarding process takes approximately four weeks to complete, primarily due to the time required for criminal record checks to be processed.
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*If you are not a computer person, or have a barrier to using technology, we have a few options for helping you to learn. Please connect directly by leaving a voice message for our Volunteer Coordinator at 604 736 3588 ext. 134
Do the Kits House programs with volunteer opportunities work with your schedule?
Evening and weekend programs at Kits House are limited! Most program/volunteer opportunities occur weekdays, during office hours, when staff are working.
Do Kits House programs fit with what you would like to do as a volunteer?
Prior to registering as a Kits House volunteer browse our website and familiarize yourself with the programs offered and to see what interests you.
Do you have time to volunteer?
Active Kits House volunteers are expected to contribute a minimum of 4 hours per month. (2 shifts)
After you register as a volunteer you will soon receive a “Next Steps” email from the Coordinator of Volunteers with further onboarding instructions, including how to apply for a criminal record check specific to ANHBC.
If you do not receive a “Next Steps” email within a few weeks of registering as a volunteer, please ensure that you check your email junk folder.
Volunteer Opportunities
Kits House volunteers are self-directed, and choose which opportunities and shift times that they want to schedule in for. This is done by using the Better Impact Volunteer Software – you are setting up your profile for this when you register as a volunteer.
Fully on boarded KNH volunteers receive email about current volunteer opportunities as they arise – so you can expect a few emails each week once you are an accepted and fully onboarded volunteer! Volunteers can also see and view all the regularly scheduled volunteer opportunities through the Better Impact volunteer software and sign up for available shifts in programs or activities of their choice.
Seniors Programs
- Better at Home | Drivers
- Better at Home | Visitors
- Seniors Lunch
- Seniors Art
- Information & Referral Specialist | Seniors Resource Centre
Childcare Programs
- Bumble Bear Daycare (Kits House)
- Out of School Care (Dunbar/Kits House/Tennyson)
- Summer Camp / Spring Break Camp
- The Collective Childcare at Lord Tennyson (5 programs)
Family Programs
- Childminders to support parenting programs
- Family Play Time (Sept-June)
- Kits in the Park (July/August)
- Mama & Papa Goose
Community Programs
- Computer Tutor (working one-on-one with seniors)
- English Conversation Circle Hosts
- Income Tax Clinic Volunteer (during tax season)
- Neighbourhood Small Grants Review Committee
- Youth Neighbourhood Small Grants Review Committee
- Monthly Community Cleanup
- Food Security Programs
- Community Potluck Hosts
- Exercise/Fitness Leaders in programs
Miscellaneous
- Admin Support
- Drivers in several programs (pick up/delivery of items)
- Front Desk Reception/Admin
- Maintenance
- Special Event Volunteers
- Working with Food (chef/prep/distribution)
Hubs & Collaboratives
- Westside Food Collaborative Hub
- West Side Literacy Hub
- Westside Seniors Hub
Can’t find what you’re looking for or you have a question?
Please reach out to our Volunteer team at volunteers@kitshouse.org