Foundations Learning & Skills Saskatchewan

Want to make a difference in helping children build their reading skills? Become a Spark volunteer!As a Foundations Learning volunteer, you provide one-to-one support to strengthen children’s reading strategies through our reading program called Spark. Spark Reading Guides attend a 3.5-hour training on reading methods and strategies, and will be provided with all resources needed throughout the program. Volunteers are matched with 2 elementary school students and work one-on-one with each student for 30 minutes, twice per week (Monday-Friday), over 8 weeks. Spark runs four terms a year: fall, winter, spring, and summer. Reading sessions take place at schools (with limited online options).If you are interested in learning more, please attend our agency orientation, which is the first step to becoming a Spark volunteer, by registering here: https://foundationslearning.com/volunteer/

Volunteers work with adult learners one-on-one and in small groups to enhance literacy skills. All training is provided to volunteers, as well as ongoing support from our Adult Literacy Coordinator throughout the program. Work with adult participants to identify current skills, and work together to enhance those skills by supporting them with tools, resources, and encouragement. Coaches meet one-on-one with their learner either in-person at a public library or over Zoom. The weekly schedule is determined by what is convenient for the learner and coach - we find a time that fits your schedule!Coaches are provided with comprehensive literacy training and are given templates and materials that you can use when planning sessions with their learners. Once your training is complete, you will be matched with a learner according to their needs and your areas of expertise and availability. We then introduce you to your learner and start you off with a detailed Learning Plan that has been prepared for the learner and provide you with some suggestions and resources to get started. You will then plan weekly sessions based on the Learning Plan, strategies shared in training, and materials relevant to the learners’ interests and skill levels. Foundations’ staff is also here to support you in all aspects of your coaching role.Our adult learners are as diverse as their individual goals, so it’s difficult to describe a ‘typical learner’. Our program is learner-centred and strength-based, so there is no set curriculum - what you work on is based on your learner’s goals. Learners join our program for a variety of reasons such as improving their literacy skills in reading and writing, passing the written portion of a Driver’s exam, or earning their GED. We always welcome feedback or questions from our volunteers and learners. Foundations’ Coordinator will be in regular contact with you to offer support and suggestions and gather feedback. We are learning and growing together!If you are interested in learning more, please attend our agency orientation which is the first step to becoming a Lead coach by registering here: https://foundationslearning.com/for-volunteers/

Foundations Learning is offering a free, year-round Income Tax Clinic in partnership with the CRA’s Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP), and we are recruiting Volunteer Tax Preparers. As a Volunteer Tax Preparer, you will complete income tax returns for low-income Saskatchewan residents with simple tax situations. This helps them get the benefits and tax credit they may be entitled to. Our tax clinic will be offered both in person and virtually. You can choose to volunteer in person at a tax clinic or virtually by completing income tax returns online, or both!. You have the option to volunteer only during the tax season (March-April), or throughout the year. No accounting experience is required. Volunteers receive free in-person training and online resources provided by the CRA, as well as additional training and ongoing support from Foundations Learning. Duties and Responsibilities: Complete income tax returns following CRA guidelines Use EFILE tax preparation software to file tax returns electronically Maintain strict confidentiality on all taxpayer information Verify taxpayer identity by checking photo ID prior to filing Call the CVITP dedicated help line for any questions about income tax, using EFILE, and the UFile CVITP tax software Communicate issues, questions, or concerns with the Tax Clinic Coordinator Qualifications: No accounting experience required Must have a valid Social Insurance Number Must have filed your own taxes in Canada at least once Training and software will be provided