EBIRS Volunteer Program was initiated in 2003. The organization currently has 25 volunteers (not including the EBIRS board members) who are involved in program support, administration, instructing, and computer repair. This program allows EBIRS to reach out to the larger community to build awareness of brain injury and invite community members to learn more about brain injury and its impact. The Volunteer program provides opportunities for a variety of individuals to give of themselves and their time in a way that is valued by both the volunteer and the organization. EBIRS provides an opportunity to learn new skills, keep up with skills already developed, and to make a difference in the lives of people with brain injury.

Volunteer Positions

Computer Instructor:

EBIRS runs 4 weeks/month of classes (each class is 2 hours) September to end of June, with a few weeks in between sessions to do assessments. EBIRS is looking for volunteers to instruct students to learn basics such as mouse, keyboarding, and software application. The ideal candidate(s) would be able and willing to work with individuals of different functioning levels and abilities.

Computer Instructor Assistant:

The participants in the computer classes are of all different abilities. It would be ideal to have an Assistant as an aid to the Instructor and participants; the volunteer would assist in the classroom, one on one, with direct interaction with the participant.

Computer Repair Technician (CRT):

Volunteers are needed to assess donated computers and determine what repairs are needed prior to computers being made available to program participants. EBIRS has volunteers with various levels of computer knowledge, with opportunities to coach/train individuals with limited knowledge.

Computer Donations

Computer Repair Technician Assistant (CRTA):

The CRTA assists the CRT with formatting hard drives, installing programs, physically cleaning the computer and peripherals, and putting together computer packages for purchaser and perform final test run.

Benefits of Volunteering

• Recognition is not just a way of saying thank you, but a response to individual interest and reasons for being involved. The benefits of volunteering with EBIRS are:
• EBIRS tracks volunteer hours, and will provide letters of reference for those wishing to gain experience toward employment goals.
• Volunteer Appreciation held once a year.
• EBIRS greatly values volunteers and their contributions and strives to provide a positive, rewarding, working environment. As a volunteer with EBIRS, you will make a difference in the lives of adults with acquired brain injury.

Steps to Becoming a Volunteer

Fill out the Volunteer Application Form .Participate in an interview with the Reconnecting Coordinator.

Complete a Police Check

Complete our Volunteer Orientation.