Localife is an initiative that involves young adult cancer survivors (YAs) and supporters coming together to enjoy fun activities and social time with their peers. It was developed by Young Adult Cancer Canada (YACC) to address the isolation that many YAs face after diagnosis. Localife is in the middle of year two in Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, and Ottawa, and we are currently recruiting one person to join the Edmonton team! (Click here to learn more about Localife Edmonton.)
Ashley Rose has decided to step down from her post as one half of the Localife Edmonton team, and since each city has two leaders, we are looking for someone to pair up with Dan Nielsen to plan fun, activity-based social outings in the Edmonton area.
Ashley rocked this role and we are sad to see her go, but she is very heavily involved in several other cancer organizations in her local community, one in which she has just been offered a new role that is sure to keep her busy! Ashley and these groups are doing amazing work for patients, survivors, and supporters, and we wish her the best of luck!
Who qualifies?
To be eligible for this position, you must meet the following criteria:
- You are a young adult aged 18-39 who received a cancer diagnosis between the ages of 15 and 39 (or you are a supporter of a young adult who fits those criteria);
- You live in/near Edmonton;
- You or the person you support are at least one-year post-treatment; and,
- You have attended at least one YACC event (if you have never attended a YACC event, you must provide at least one reference from a professional involved in providing cancer care/support).
Desired qualifications
- Passionate about helping others and have demonstrated a commitment to volunteering;
- Outgoing, friendly, charismatic, and enthusiastic about building community;
- A positive attitude, and a creative and optimistic approach to challenges;
- Empathetic, caring, and respectful;
- A self-starter who is able to work independently and effectively manage time, and does not get easily overwhelmed;
- Demonstrated integrity and trustworthiness;
- Excellent written and oral communication skills;
- Demonstrated ability to see projects through from start to finish;
- In a place of peace and acceptance with their personal cancer experience; and,
- Not over-committed with other responsibilities (work, volunteer, family).
- Bilingualism is not necessary, but would be viewed as an asset.
Desired educational/professional background
- Social Work
- Nursing
- Psychology/Counselling
- Health promotion
- Teacher/Instructor
- Recreation therapy
- Art therapy
- Volunteer coordination
- Digital media management (i.e. social networking sites, making videos, etc.)
Major responsibilities
Support: To coordinate and facilitate four to six Localife activities per year, and to serve as a liaison between local survivors/supporters and YACC.
Awareness/Advocacy: To nurture existing relationships with health professionals and foster new ones, and to ensure local cancer centres, hospitals, and community-based cancer organizations are well-stocked with up-to-date YACC resource materials.
Time commitment and honourariums
We ask that all people interested in applying are confident that they can commit approximately 10 hours per month from January to June 2014. We also require applicants to be available for remote training (conference calls, Skype, webinars, etc.) in January 2014.
This is a volunteer position, however, YACC will provide an honorarium to Localife leaders to ensure they do not incur costs through participation in the program.
To apply
Please complete this application form and submit it to Lesley at [email protected] by Sunday, December 22, 2013.
We look forward to having you on board!
