Volunteer

Matching Program Volunteers -Change Two Lives

You can change two lives – your own and that of someone living with a disability – by becoming an Ally and reducing their loneliness and isolation.

Our Matching Program  pairs you with a child, youth or adult living with a disability who wants an Ally – a friend and companion to talk to, go to a movie with or do any of the things that friends do together. 

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.

As an Ally 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
• increasing self-confidence
• improving 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.

The biggest wish of people on our waiting list is to have someone to meet for a coffee!

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 Ally, you need to be over the age of 18 and make a minimum commitment of 12 months to this role.  Able2’s program provides full training, preparation and ongoing support throughout your match.

Here’s how two lives were changed through sports and friendship:

“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

Here are just a few of people waiting for a volunteer Ally like you to make a difference:

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 spend 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

Becoming an Ally means making a commitment to someone living with a disability for at least a year. If you want to learn more about how to become an Ally – a friend to someone who needs you – click on the steps below.

The very first step is an easy 20-minute self-directed review of an information presentation designed to give you the highlights and main aspects of becoming an Ally. Click on Step 1 for more information about this stage.