For Immediate Release

December 21, 2023- Aurora, Ontario – CHATS- Community & Home Assistance to Seniors is proud to launch a new initiative called the “Volunteer Program Refresh: A Strategic and Operational Review and Update” with the purpose of creating and implementing a new vision and model for CHATS’ Volunteer Program.

The initiative is made possible with funding from the Government of Canada’s Community Services Recovery Fund, a one-time $400 million investment to help community service organizations, including charities, non-profits, and Indigenous governing bodies, adapt and modernize. This investment will strengthen the sector as it supports recovery in communities across Canada.

The Community Services Recovery Fund is being delivered through three National Funders – Canadian Red Cross, Community Foundations of Canada, and United Way Centraide Canada. CHATS has received funding through the Canadian Red Cross to help execute this critically important project that will have a positive effect on both volunteers and the clients CHATS serves.

The impact of the pandemic on the volunteer program and on CHATS’ ability to deliver services through volunteers has been significant. Pre-pandemic, CHATS proudly engaged over 500 volunteers across our programs/services/administrative supports, delivering close to 33,000 hours of service a year. Many volunteers who were 75+, were required to isolate in the early pandemic, leaving some programs without volunteers. CHATS currently has 197 active volunteers, with just over 100 still waiting to re-engage.

CHATS relies on volunteers to deliver programs and services. From an organizational standpoint, it is expected that the Volunteer Program Refresh Initiative will increase the number of active volunteers, add more volunteer roles, and increase the ability to cross train volunteers to work in various roles across the organization. CHATS anticipates more volunteer engagement, adding capacity for volunteer supervisors to support other volunteers, with more volunteers being able to assist clients.

“Volunteers are vital to the work we do at CHATS,” said Christina Bisanz, CHATS CEO. “This strategic review involves a collaborative effort between staff and volunteers to co-design the future of our Volunteer Program, with the common goal of ensuring the well-being of our clients through the delivery of essential programs and services. As an organization that focuses on seniors’ health and wellness, we are grateful to the Government of Canada and the Canadian Red Cross for recognizing the needs of community service organizations, as we recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“I am continually impressed by the passion, dedication, and creativity of community service organizations, like CHATS. I am equally proud the Government of Canada has supported their important work through the Community Services Recovery Fund. By investing in these organizations and their projects we can help to create a more just and equitable society, where everyone has opportunities to succeed. I look forward to seeing the positive impact of this investment in York Region and South Simcoe over the years to come.”

– Jenna Sudds, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

About CHATS

CHATS is a not-for-profit organization, advocating for and delivering high-quality, person-centred home and community services to close to 8,000 older adults and caregivers living in York Region and South Simcoe. CHATS empowers and enables older adults to embrace all that their community has to offer through their many local programs and services. From personal care to healthy aging information, and more, CHATS is committed to helping older adults to live best at home in their communities. Learn more at CHATS – Community & Home Assistance to Seniors Home – CHATS

For more information or to schedule an interview, contact:

Kelly Broome – Vice President of Philanthropy & Communications, CHATS

Email: kbroome@chats.on.ca

Phone: 905-717-9003