Youth Volunteers

Candy Striper Youth volunteers are very important members of our St. Joseph's Hospital community. Patients, residents and staff all look forward to the injection of energy and optimism that they bring. In their distinctive red t-shirts, they can be seen throughout the hospital.

Our Youth Volunteer program is open to girls and boys in Grades 8 to 12, who serve one day per week from 3:30 – 5:30. We ask for a commitment to volunteer for the entire school year.

If you decide to join our program, you can choose between being a Candystriper Cadet in acute care or being a Junior Volunteer in The Views residential care facility.

Candystriper Cadets

Candystriper Cadets are supervised by a member of the Hospital Auxiliary. They volunteer throughout the second and third floors of acute care by visiting with patients, refreshing their water and removing litter, and doing a variety of other helpful tasks. They also have special duties in obstetrics and the Intensive Care Unit.

Junior Volunteers

Junior Volunteers are a big part of The Views residential care community. Supervised by staff, they do one-on-one visiting, help with activities likes games and puzzles, decorate the two large dining rooms to celebrate many special occasions, bake, help with crafts and are involved in many other ways with residents.

Becoming a Youth Volunteer

There is very high demand for this program, so if you want to join us, act quickly.

The Youth Volunteer program starts in September. Interested students can get information at school through their Work Experience Coordinator, including the application package.

There are a few steps involved in becoming a Youth Volunteer at St. Joseph's.

Forms: If you are a new volunteer, get the application package from the Work Experience Coordinator at your school and complete all the forms, including required parent signatures and a personal reference. If you are a returning volunteer, complete a Reactivation Form, also available from your Work Experience Coordinator.
Register: Call 250-890-3030 to register your interest in the program. For new volunteers, you will also tell us which Youth Orientation evening you will attend. This orientation is mandatory. Returning volunteers should also call to establish your place on the interest list. Then you just need to bring your Reactivation Forms to St. Joe’s.
Orientation: New volunteers attend the orientation and tour of the hospital. You will then choose whether you’d like to be a Candystriper Cadet or Junior Volunteer, and commit to a weekly shift. You will also pay your $10 for your red t-shirt.
Join Us! Your supervisor will call you to let you know when the Youth Volunteer program will start.

Please be aware that we may not be able to accept everyone
due to very high demand for the program.

The following people will be given priority:

those highest on the interest list;
those with complete documentation at the orientation; and
those who have paid the $10 t-shirt fee.

For More Information

For more information about the Youth Volunteer Program at St. Joseph’s, please call or e-mail.

Manager, Volunteer Services
phone 250-339-1548
pat.allan@sjghcomox.ca

Administrative Assistant
phone 250-890-3030
janice.wagemann@sjghcomox.ca