The Richmond Centre for Disability (RCD) is on the hunt for tech-savvy volunteers.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of the centre’s programming has been moved online in the past year.
“I’m recruiting the right volunteers for the right activities,” Ian Yeung, the independent living program director who also manages the centre’s volunteers, says.
“The challenge is that most of our programs are now online. It’s good that our participants are able to get online, but we also need volunteers to help host those sessions.”
RCD is hoping to connect with volunteers who are good with computers, have access to a microphone and camera so program participants can see and hear them, can troubleshoot technical issues, and be able to moderate chat and sessions.
The mission of RCD is to empower people with disabilities to participate in the community to the level of their desires and abilities by providing information, resources, support and by increasing community awareness and accessibility.
The Centre was established in 1985 through the joint effort of the United Way of the Lower Mainland, the Special Needs and Social Planning departments of the City of Richmond and a number of people with disabilities from the community.
Programming offered by the centre includes information, networking, skills development and empowerment, peer support and recreation.
Volunteers would be required for a minimum commitment of one class a week for 90 minutes.
“We’ve had some great university students who are very enthusiastic about helping online, joining online sessions and helping out,” Yeung says.
Potential volunteers can fill out a simple application on RCD’s website under the volunteer section. Yeung will review the applications and then arrange a phone interview.
“The past year has been really challenging for both volunteers and organizations such as ours. I was lucky enough to find volunteers who have been with us over the entire year,” Yeung says.
“On behalf of RCD, I want to say a big thank you to all of our volunteers for their hard work. They’ve been fantastic.”
For more information and to sign up to volunteer, visit www.rcdrichmond.org.
