Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - July 20, 2015, Winnipeg, Manitoba C M Y K PAGE B2 B 2 WINNIPEG FREE PRESS, MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015 CITY winnipegfreepress. com EXCLUSIVELY AT BIRCHWOOD KIA ON PORTAGE AT THE PERIMETER! LOCAL OR TOLL- FREE RIGHT NEXT TO THE PERIMETER AND PORTAGE! LOCAL OR TOLL- FREE: 1- 888- 318- 5540 I T’S a sunny, warm July evening, and Melody Pendree, Maree Rodriguez and Michelle Paluszek have chosen to spend it volunteering with Klinic Community Health Centre’s Peer Support program. The evening’s main activity involves writing positive messages on sidewalks throughout West Broadway using colourful chalk, but first, it’s snack time. Watermelon, chips and ice cream sandwiches are just a few of the tasty treats up for grabs. “ I was trying to find a volunteer opportunity that interested me, and I’ve always enjoyed helping people,” Rodriguez, 20, said of why she joined Peer Support. Pendree, 17, joined three years ago after her guidance counsellor encouraged her to check it out. For Paluszek, one of the motivations for joining two years ago was that it fits in with her aspiration to become a counsellor. “ I wanted to meet new people and be able to relate to others more,” said the 19- year- old, who is studying psychology at the University of Manitoba. A program of Klinic’s Teen Talk youth health education service, Peer Support offers training for teenagers interested in helping others and learning more about topics that include sex, relationships and mental health. Klinic staff train new Peer Support volunteers three times a year. Over the course of 35 hours, volunteers explore topics such as youth sexuality, communication skills, birth control, STIs, teen dating violence, body image, drugs and self care. After completing the training, teens can continue their involvement with Peer Support in a variety of ways including helping people at school, assisting at community events, answering health and relationship questions, and creating helpful content for Teen Talk’s website. Volunteers also have the opportunity to participate in Skitz, a group that meets Monday evenings to rehearse interactive skits related to the things they learn during training. These skits are then presented at middle schools every other Friday during the school year. Pendree says it has been helpful learning information that supplements what her high school health classes covered. “( Knowing) the birth control options helped me and my peers because I know a lot of them need to know that kind of information,” said Pendree, who offered condoms and other resources out of her locker to students at her high school. For Paluszek, learning about different forms of abuse teens might face has been helpful. “ If we have a friend in that situation, or we find ourselves in a difficult situation, we can recognize it and be able to go from there and access the ( appropriate) services,” she said. Rodriguez adds her involvement in Skitz has been a highlight of her Peer Support involvement. “ It was a great way for me to use my knowledge and use the skills that I learned,” she said. “ It also gave me a chance to do what I love to do, which is acting and facilitating and teaching people about important topics.” Erica McNabb, a youth health educator at Klinic, says working with the Peer Support group is a highlight of her job. “ What I’ve found most rewarding is watching all the amazing things that they do and the really great knowledge they share,” McNabb said. “ It’s really inspiring.” Klinic is looking for more Peer Support volunteers, and will offer training Aug. 17- 20 from 10 a. m. to 5 p. m. The program is aimed at youth from ages 14 to 18. Anyone interested can call 204- 784- 4010, text 204- 223- 0227 or email bpeersupport@ teentalk. ca. If you know a special volunteer, please contact aaron. epp@ gmail. com. Peer Support straight talk... with snacks Klinic program assists teens in assisting teens VOLUNTEERS AARON EPP Opportunities The following is a list of volunteer opportunities for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. For more information about these listings, please contact the organization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations, but we can assist you in finding a volunteer opportunity. To learn more about our programs and services, please visit www. volunteermanitoba. ca or 204- 477- 5180. Events Committee for Members and Chair is required by Local Investment Toward Employment ( LITE) Inc. for its upcoming spring fundraiser, March 12, 2016. Two- hour monthly meetings will be held Sept.- Jan. 2016, then going to one hour weekly in Feb. Strength in sponsorships, event logistics, promotions and volunteer recruitment. Information: litepr@ mymts. net or 204- 942- 8578. If you love dogs, D’Arcy’s A. R. C. ( Animal Rescue Centre) has an opening for a dog volunteer. Main duties are socializing, playing, training and grooming the dogs, and cleaning up yard/ removing garbage by end of day. Able to handle big dogs. Once a week, Monday- Friday, 6- 9 p. m. with one year commitment. Apply: 730B Century St. Winnipeg Inner City Missions is looking for volunteers for our community drop- in program. Monday- Thursday, 9 a. m.- noon and 1- 3 p. m. Information: Rev. Margaret Mullin, 415 Logan Ave. or 204- 942- 8682 ext. 222. MS Society of Canada- Mb Division requires volunteers for its annual “ Biking to the Viking” event, Aug. 22 and 23. Positions for: advance check- in, bike patrol, check- in/ runners, finish- line BBQ, finish- line welcome crew, Gimli dinner set up, Gimli startline and clean- up crews, luggage loading and unloading assistance, office help, parking attendants, rainbow raffle, rest- stop supply sorter, rest stop, route marshal, Saturday dinner service, start- line breakfast, Stonewall set up and tear down crews. Apply: Alberta. johnson@ mssociety. ca, or 204- 988- 0911. The Terry Fox Foundation is recruiting volunteer committee members for the Terry Fox National School Run Day, Sept. 30, throughout MB: Altona, Carman, Churchill, Flin Flon, Portage la Prairie, Riverton, Snow Lake, Winkler. Duties to include: facility planning meetings, set and confirm run route, seek refreshment donations, promote and oversee run- day activities. Information: mbadmin@ terryfoxrun. org or 204- 231- 5282. FROM LEFT: Melody Pendree ( peer supporter), Michelle Paluszek ( peer supporter), Gillian Roy ( youth health educator) and Erica McNabb ( youth health educator) are proud to be connected with Klinic Community Health Centre’s initiatives. RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS B_ 02_ Jul- 20- 15_ FP_ 01. indd B2 7/ 19/ 15 6: 42: 50 PM ;