Volunteer

MATCHING PROGRAM

CHANGE TWO LIVES

Our Matching Program is a one-on-one match with a child, youth or adult living with a disability. 

Volunteer to make a real difference in your community as we work to reduce loneliness and isolation one person at a time.

In Ottawa 300 people with disabilities are waiting an average of four years for a volunteer.

“Atinc and I were paired up almost a year ago, and we immediately bonded over one of the things that we both love best:  Ottawa Senators hockey. ABLE2 saw us as a great match based on our passion for the team and hockey in general. This provided us with a quick and easy transition into building a much deeper friendship. Atinc and I frequently make trips together to different wing spots to enjoy the games. We can walk to most of these places as we live quite close to each other.

In the summer, our love of sports translates into both of us cheering for the Toronto Blue Jays. We love heading to Boston Pizza to sit on the patio, enjoy some drinks, and watch them win. Over the past year, we have also been able to attend an Ottawa Fury soccer game together as well as a Sens game. We began as friends with similar passions, and with spending time together we have learned more about each other, and connect in other areas of our lives. Atinc has taught me many things about the difficulties of living with a physical disability and has changed my outlook – I now have a greater appreciation of the little things in life. I look forward to spending many more years hanging out and developing our friendship further.”

Matching Program Advocate

Update

Thank you for your interest in ABLE2. As an organization, we are committed to the safety of our community.

With this in mind we have decided to postpone all our information and onboarding sessions for now.

Our administration team will keep track of your enquiry and send out new dates/times when Public Health as deemed it safe to re-open.

If there is a lesson, we can learn from this time of physical distancing it is how important social connection is for everyone. Our Matching Program has always understood this and has worked hard to provide this for our most vulnerable members of society – those living with a disability.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with us. We look forward to the day when we can meet you and get you matched to a person with a disability.

Stay safe and healthy. 

Current Opportunities

As a friend to someone with a disability you can have a profound effect on their life by reducing loneliness and isolation; helping to achieve hopes and dreams; developing personal networks and relationships; decreasing vulnerability; and increasing self-confidence, mental and physical health.

You will change too as you learn more about your Friend and deepen your relationship, including gaining an increased appreciation of your own life and feeling good supporting someone in your community.

If you enjoy spending time with people and have an hour or two available each week, we invite you to contact us. As a volunteer, you need to be over the age of 18 and make a minimum commitment of 12 months to this role [Note: your status in Canada may affect your ability to make this commitment e.g. visitor visa, student visa, refugee claimant]. Preparation and ongoing support are provided.

ARE YOU A TENNIS FAN? (HINTONBURG)

George is in his early 60s who feels isolated from his community.  He would like a friend who enjoys playing and watching tennis, is patient and willing to spend a couple of hours, one evening or at the weekend, with him.

ARE YOU AN OPEN-MINDED, PATIENT PERSON? (DOWNTOWN)

Are you an open-minded, patient person who would enjoy doing crafts, shopping and going for walks with Grace? Grace is a woman in her late 50s who lives with a disability. She would like to spend time each week with an Ally who enjoys some of her interests.

VOLUNTEER TO SPENT TIME IN YOUR COMMUNITY (NEPEAN)

Ned is in his mid-50s and has a great sense of humour. He is keen to get out into the community with the support of an Ally. He is open to a number of activities and these could be as simple as going out for a coffee or a beer

DO YOU ENJOY CROSSWORD PUZZLES AND ARTS AND CRAFTS? (BRITANNIA)

Ginny has been waiting seven years for an Ally who can spend an hour or two with her each week. Ginny likes doing arts and crafts, watching movies, visiting museums and doing crossword puzzles.

How to Become an Ally