Community Connections

The Community Connections Program engages citizens, immigrants and refugees to create meaningful community connections in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Program helps immigrants adapt to life in Canada by matching them with local volunteers who provide assistance with learning English, establishing social connections, and integrating into their new community.

Volunteers support many ANC programs, including:

There are many ways that an individual can volunteer with the Association for New Canadians. Please browse through the following information to learn more about the various opportunities and how to become a volunteer.

Already volunteering with the ANC? Please feel free to check out a list of volunteer resources.

For more information, please contact:

Volunteer Opportunities

The Association offers its volunteers a variety of opportunities to support the settlement, integration, and inclusion of immigrants into their new community.

Family Match & Tutor Match

The Family Match Program matches volunteers with clients to help them with English Second Language (ESL) learning through informal socialization. Activities could include exploring the city, going for walks, and sharing meals together.

The Tutor Match Program pairs volunteers with clients for formal English tutoring or when a newcomer youth needs help with a specific school subject.

After School Programs

Through a partnership with NLSchools, the ANC’s Child and Youth Programs (CAYP) team delivers various lunchtime and after school programs at various schools in the St. John’s Metropolitan Area. These clubs provide a structured format for newcomer students to improve their English language skills or receive assistance with their homework, while connecting with their peers in a supportive and fun environment. Volunteers assist by:

  • Helping participants with homework, assignments, and projects
  • Participating in group activities
  • Assisting with event set-up and clean-up

The Breakfast Program

The Breakfast Program offers newcomers a chance to gather for a healthy meal, connect with their peers, enjoy a friendly conversation, and build lasting connections. The program occurs every Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM at our ESL Adult Training Centres. Volunteers assist by:

  • Helping set up
  • Preparing and serving breakfast
  • Cleaning up
  • Socializing with the students

Women’s/Men’s/Youth/Young Adult/Senior’s/Stay-at-Home Mother’s Groups

These groups meet monthly and are open to all eligible newcomers who wish to participate. They provide participants the opportunity to improve their English language skills, while participating in a variety of educational, recreational, and social activities with their peers. Volunteers assist by:

  • Participating in group activities
  • Engaging participants in conversation
  • Helping with event set-up and clean-up
  • Assisting with child-minding

Special Events/Activities

Throughout the year, the ANC requires volunteer assistance for special events and activities. These include:

  • Our Annual Multicultural Family Sports Day
  • Holiday Events
  • Our Annual Health Fair
  • Volunteer Recruitment Events
  • Various Special Occasions/Days of Recognition (e.g. Canada Day, World Refugee Day, etc.)

ESL Conversation Circle Program

The ESL Conversation Circle Program provides adult ESL learners the opportunity to have conversations with English speakers on a variety of topics in a friendly and relaxed environment. Volunteers contribute by:

  • Facilitating a conversation with 1-3 students
  • Asking questions and sharing information
  • Assisting students with vocabulary and pronunciation

The Conversation Circle Program is offered in person at the Beothuck Building and ESL Adult Training Centre (LINC) and once virtually on the following days:

Beothuck Building

  • Monday (11-12 PM)

ESL Adult Training Centre (LINC)

  • Tuesday (11-12 PM)
  • Wednesday (11-12 PM)
  • Thursday (11-12 PM)

Virtually

  • Wednesday (7- 8 PM)

Become a Volunteer

Take the first step to volunteering with the ANC: Fill out our online volunteer application form!

Volunteer Form

The Community Connections Coordinator finds the best fit for volunteers based on:

  • Interests
  • Skills
  • Age
  • Gender (when necessary)
  • Location
  • Volunteer needs (e.g. time constraints)

In addition, the ANC has developed a rigorous volunteer screening process to ensure that individuals are linked with the most suitable opportunities. This is in the best interests of the client and volunteer. The screening process has been developed from the guidelines set out by the National Education Campaign on Screening Volunteers and Employees in Positions of Trust with Children and other Vulnerable Clients.

Volunteering with the ANC takes just four easy steps: Email [email protected] and we will reply to you with them.

The screening process includes the following:

Step 1:

Fill out the Volunteer Application Form

Step 2:

Fill out the Confidentiality Agreement

Step 3:

Request an RNC Check and a Vulnerable Sector Check

Step 4:

Attend the Volunteer Orientation

After all the steps are completed, you will be added to our Volunteer Newsletter which will be emailed to you every Friday. There you will find all the information about programming for the following weeks and links to sign up.

Volunteer Resources

Volunteer Information and Refresher Sessions

In order to ensure volunteers remain engaged and are provided with up-to-date information, the ANC has developed a series of workshops to support the professional development of new and existing volunteers. Some past sessions have included ESL Tips & Tricks, Diversity Training, and Working with Vulnerable Populations.

English as a Second Language (ESL) Resources

The Association has a variety of ESL resources available for volunteer tutors. These resources can be borrowed or photocopied. Please forward requests for resources to the Community Connections Coordinator at [email protected] or (709) 722-9680.

In addition, these online resources are also available free of charge:

Additional volunteer resources: