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Introduction
Community Placement is any unpaid, volunteer work experience or service with community-based agencies (not-for-profit or government). Placement opportunities are available to individuals receiving financial assistance through the Ontario Works Program, as well as the Ontario Disability Support Program.
Positions are developed by our Placement Officers with agencies who agree to be service providers for the program (Sponsored Placements) and with participants wanting to develop their own opportunities (Self Declared). Placements can be up to six months (possibly extended up to eleven months if there is an approved specific training plan in place) for each position, to a maximum of 70 hours per month.
For Community Sponsors
Many non-profit, community or public sector organizations need help. They know they could accomplish so much more for their community, with an extra pair of hands. Someone to help in the office. People to take on a special project.
Community Placements may not displace any paid employment in the agencies where they are located. This means that Community Placement participants may not replace work being done by a paid employee within the past two years.
Community placements are limited to 70 hours per month to ensure that participants continue to look for paid employment through participation in other employment assistance measures.
If you are a community group, service club, or a public or non-profit organization in need of a volunteer, you may be interested in our Community Placement program. The United Counties of Leeds and Grenville welcomes the opportunity to save you the expense and time involved in finding new volunteers. We provide fast, efficient, specialized human resources services. Call us today at (613) 345-4101 to gain motivated, qualified volunteers.
For Ontario Works Participants
Community Placement participation is an activity negotiated between Ontario Works recipients and their Case Managers as part of their employment plan to build skills and to find the shortest route to employment. The Participation Agreement is a living document that evolves and changes as participants access and complete employment related activities.
As an Ontario Works participant, the Community Placement program can help you to:
- Enhance your current skills.
- Obtain new skills.
- Gain valuable work experience to add to your resume.
- Get up-to-date references.
- Build your self-esteem and confidence.
- Make contacts for future employment.
Participation can be deferred because of temporary or special circumstances that individuals may have, including illness, injury, appropriate child care needs, or attendant care for dependent family members that might restrict their ability to take part in a community placement.
Current Community Placements
Since its commencement, the Ontario Works program in the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville has supported hundreds of community agencies with short term projects and ongoing volunteer placements. The range of opportunities available in the communities of Leeds and Grenville is vast in terms of skills development and making a contribution.
The following are just a sample of the volunteer positions filled by Community Placement participants:
- Animal care
- Internet Trainer , Library Assistant
- Office/Library Assistant
- Custodian Support
- Assistant Food Handler
- Maintenance / Tourism
- Gallery Assistant
- Childhood Educator, Kitchen Helper
- Assistant Caretaker
- Volunteer Crisis Line Operator
- Grounds & Maintenance Custodial
- Drop in & Toy Library Volunteer
- Driver
Over 600 Ontario Works participants have contributed in excess of 23,000 hours in local agencies and organizations. The agencies that received their efforts were overwhelmingly appreciative of the work done on their behalf.
Community Placement Projects
The United Counties of Leeds & Grenville operates two fully staffed and equipped vans. Crews in the vans perform a variety of work for non-profit organizations in the community. The projects have varied from building park benches for use around the region, planting trees in local forests, and a Christmas toy restoration project. Hundreds of individual projects have been completed by the participants who have gained valuable work experience. Many of the participants have gone on to gainful employment, and credit their time with the CP Project crew as an important step towards employment. Crew Supervisors have proven indispensable to project activity by supporting and assisting sponsors in organizing and preparing work and providing structure, encouragement, training and assistance to the participants.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Community Placement benefit our community?
For our community, Community Placement enhances the community services and programs offered by its agencies and our projects. Through the program, it gains members with knowledge, skills and experience leading to paid work and a reduction in reliance on the social assistance system.
What if I am accepted into the Community Placement Program?
If accepted into the Community Placement Program, you will be expected to:
- Regularly attend your placement as scheduled by the agency/projects and perform to the best of your ability.
- Work with us to track the hours and activities of the placement, providing a report in a timely fashion
What types of Placements are available to me?
Positions are available in a wide variety of agencies. Some examples are:
- Child Care Program Assistants
- Cleaning and Maintenance - Building and Grounds
- Office/Clerical positions
- Customer Service
- Research Assistants
- Education Assistants
- Library Assistants
- Community and Residential Worker Assistants
- Program Assistants
- Church and Social Events Support
- Animal Care
- Recreational Activities
- Food and Clothing
- Public Services
Forms
Links
The following links to you to external web sites related to the Ontario Works program that will open in a new browser window.
- Ontario Works - the website for the Province of Ontario
- Ontario Government Policy - Policy directives describing the provincial legislation and standards to be followed by participating organizations.
- Legislation - Ontario Work’s Act, 1997
- Access Centre for Community Care - A searchable database of services available in Leeds and Grenville Counties.
- Info Kingston - A searchable database of services available in Leeds and Grenville Counties.
- Social Benefits Tribunal - S.B.T. hears appeals of decisions regarding social assistance that people receive under the Ontario Works Act and the Ontario Disability Support Act.
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