FamilyHome Respite Volunteer

Specialized FamilyHome Respite Volunteer
Cost Recovery Available
Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region (EAFWR)

Do you have a passion for people, relationships, inclusion and belonging? Do you want to work towards a community that welcomes and accepts everyone?

So do we!

Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region (EAFWR) was founded on the values of working with people with disabilities to grow their social relationships and be seen and valued as full contributing citizens in our community.

If this sounds exciting to you, come join our dynamic team to help bring these values to life in our community.

What is FamilyHome Respite?

The goal of FamilyHome Respite is to provide an opportunity for an adult with a developmental disability to spend time away from home and have a break or change of pace from regular home and family life. Respite is an opportunity where you would host a person in your home or in an Airbnb arranged by Extend-A-Family within the Waterloo Region. Respite opportunities often range from 2 to 14 days and are informed by the individual needs and interests of the person staying with you. For some people supported, a stay longer than 14 days may be necessary, but your availability will be discussed before matching you with a person in need of support.

Respite is important because it allows our FamilyHome Providers and those we support some time apart to recharge and take a break/time for themselves, which allows all involved to strengthen their relationships.

Who will you support?

We are seeking respite support for Seeking Respite Providers for an outgoing and kind adult male in his twenties who makes friends wherever he goes. He enjoys dancing, clapping, and spending time in nature.

He enjoys going for walks in local conservation areas when the weather is good and would like to attend live music events when possible. He enjoys musical shows and cartoons like Peppa Pig, Paw Patrol, and The Wiggles!

Everyone who works with this person will confirm that he is a lovely individual to spend time with, and we’re confident that your time with him will be filled with his joyful spirit and love for music.

What Kind of Support Does He Need?

This individual requires 24/7 supervision due to his medical needs and respite will usually take place on the weekend, though there may be a respite period offered during the week if providers are available. He uses ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs), a walker, has a transport stroller, a wheelchair, and a walker; he uses his different mobility devices based on comfort and based on the given activity they are doing.

He receives nutrition solely through a g-tube (no food or drink by mouth) and he requires personal care support with g-tube feeding, dressing, toileting (changing briefs), and bathing. Prior experience with these personal care needs are an asset but are not required, as training will be provided.

When respite takes place during weekdays, the individual goes to a day program so that provider work schedules can be accommodated. He is picked up by Mobility Plus at 8:30 AM and dropped off by 2:45 PM each day. One provider must be present for pick-up and drop-off. He also has 10 hours of Direct Support Person (DSP) support per week.

What You Bring:

• Secondary School diploma OR some Secondary School with related experience
• Experience working with people who have developmental and physical disabilities, and their families or other networks is an asset
• A driver’s license and access to a vehicle is an asset, but not required
• Direct experience with personal care (i.e. eating, bathing, dressing, assistance using the toilet, oral hygiene, mobility, etc.) may be required
• Direct experience with mental health support (i.e. de-escalation, etc.) is an asset
• Direct experience with medical support (i.e. G-tube feeding, catheterization, medication administration, etc.) is an asset
• Ability to plan activities and experiences
• Ability to work throughout the Waterloo Region (Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, surrounding Townships) based on plans you create for your stay together
• Willingness to learn, grow and attend training sessions when required

Best serving our community requires greater diversity of background and personal experiences. Potential Volunteers with lived experiences with mental health, disability, or who identify as BIPOC, 2SLGBTQ+ are encouraged to apply. We also encourage applicants to seek accommodations as required to support their candidacy.

How Will We Support You?

Respite is a volunteer position which offers a non-taxable cost recovery. Cost recovery rates for this individual is $250 per day with partial day rates available. This rate is based on any potential costs incurred during the respite support period and is a higher rate than other respite roles due to the elevated level of support that is needed.

Your Coordinator will also provide ongoing support to both you and person supported by overseeing the ongoing coordination of DSP supports, including scheduling, communication, and ongoing collaboration with both main providers and respite providers. Your coordinator will also be available to you for any insights, advice or information that you need to make respite stays as successful as possible.

What You Will Do:

The Specialized Respite Volunteer will oversee and facilitate the Respite time together, and report to the person being supported, provider family and the FamilyHome/Supported Independent Living Coordinator.

This will include:

• Providing required support according to the specialized level of need
• Preparing his formula and assisting him with feeding and water flushes of his G-Tube
• Organizing and planning the activities of the respite stay together with the person supported
• Providing transportation, booking Mobility Plus and being available for drop-off and pick-up, and/or accompaniment on public transit for any travel during the stay
• Providing opportunities to connect with and socialize with others in the community according to both your interests (i.e. Specialized Respite Volunteers are welcome to introduce the person to their own support networks, and vice versa.)
• Providing any further assistance in personal care, mental health and/or behaviour supports
• Tending to medically complex needs (with training) as required

The volunteer must maintain awareness of and adherence to relevant guidelines, policies and procedures, promote the growth of an organizational culture that is both inclusive and anti-oppressive, participate in training and development as requested/required, and provide documents relevant to the position as requested by EAFWR.

About You:

The following questions will guide the work of every Specialized Respite Volunteer who provides support.

• Flexibility – How can I provide what the situation needs?
• Self-Control – How do I demonstrate poise under pressure?
• Self-Development – How do I continually improve my skills and knowledge?
• Service Orientation – How have I given the best service with the best options that I can?
• Values and Ethics – How am I an authentic ambassador of my organization’s values and principles?

If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Kate Short at [email protected] or 519-741-0190 ext. 306.

If interested, please apply to this posting through ADP or email an expression of interest to [email protected] by 11:59 PM on October 23, 2026, and we look forward to working with you!