Community Connectors for South Asian Communities – Calgary

About the South Asian Project: 

The vision of Wellspring Alberta is to ensure no one faces cancer alone. To achieve this, Wellspring provides free, evidence-based, expert-led programs and resources designed to support individuals living with and beyond cancer and their caregivers. These programs focus on improving quality of life and fostering community.    

Members of the South Asian community face unique challenges in accessing cancer support care due to cultural and language barriers. In response, Wellspring Alberta aims to support South Asians affected by cancer by launching a South Asian Outreach Project by expanding Wellspring Alberta’s reach to the South Asian community in Calgary and developing tailored cancer support programming. With the goal of fostering community to ensure no one has to face cancer alone. 

Position Description: 

Wellspring Alberta is seeking enthusiastic, dedicated and compassionate volunteers to join our team as South Asian community connectors. In this role, you will help raise awareness of Wellspring Alberta and build relationships within South Asian communities in Calgary. As a South Asian community connector, you will: 

• Share ideas, feedback, and recommendations to improve support for South Asian individuals and families affected by cancer 
• Foster engagement within the community and provide support to relevant programs
• Make a meaningful impact by helping South Asian individuals and families access the care and support they need during their cancer journey. 

Responsibilities: 

• Community Ambassador: Be an ambassador for Wellspring Alberta by sharing Wellspring’s mission, vision, programs, and services. 
• Awareness Building: Build awareness of Wellspring in South Asian communities by distributing brochures and posters, attending community events, delivering presentations, and engaging with South Asian health care providers and community leaders. 
• Member Support: Help South Asians affected by cancer and their support persons to register as Wellspring members and access resources. 
• Facilitate Warm Welcome to Wellspring: Conduct welcome calls for new South Asian members, providing guidance and support in accessing resources within Wellspring and the greater cancer community.  
• Relationship Building: Help build local connections and relationships within South Asian communities on behalf of Wellspring. 
• Program Support: Support Wellspring programming online and/or in-person for new programs tailored for South Asian communities. 
  
• Feedback and Recommendations: Share identified gaps, opportunities, ideas, and needs on behalf of the community with Wellspring. 
• Resource Identification: Identify and recommend local South Asian support services.
  
• Administrative Tasks: Complete administrative tasks to support project needs, as required. 
• Meetings and Training: Participate in community connector meetings, held online every two weeks, and complete necessary training.  

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Proficiency in one or more South Asian languages (e.g., Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Bengali, Tamil, etc.) is highly desirable. 
• Volunteers in this role have the flexibility to choose the responsibilities that best match their interests, skills, and availability. This allows you to contribute in ways that feel most meaningful and impactful for you and the community.
  
• Must be at least 18 years of age. 
• This role is well-suited for individuals with lived experience as part of the Wellspring community or members of the general public, such as health care professionals or students. Wellspring members should have completed their active use of Wellspring programs related to their own acute cancer support needs. 
• Must successfully complete a screening process (including interview, reference check, and police record check for the vulnerable sector) and training outlined below. 

Training Requirements: 

• Completion of online volunteer support training with more training to follow as needed. 
• Orientation shifts to shadow Wellspring programs and peer support phone calls. 
• Ongoing in-service training as offered. 

What’s the commitment?  

Volunteer time is flexible based on your availability. While we understand that personal circumstances might change, we ask that you do your best to commit to the role for a minimum of one year. 

To Apply: 

Please contact tanad@wellspringalberta.ca for more information. To apply, complete the Wellspring Volunteer application form and we will be in touch soon.