Volunteers

We invite high-school and university volunteers to create a supportive and welcoming environment for our social skills group participants to develop their skills and confidence for making friends.

The Chatter Program™ is a community-based social skills group therapy program that is led by a speech-language pathologist. Volunteers receive training on autism, social communication, and neurodiversity. They learn to develop their own skills for successful social interactions with people who have difficulties with social communication.

Over the years peer mentors have played a significant role in creating a more inclusive society, being an ally for autistic people and those with communication disorders in the community.

Requirements:

  • Be in student registered in grade 9 or higher.

  • Attend a mandatory orientation and training session before volunteering.

  • Be available for a full semester where attendance is required every week.

  • Complete the Volunteer Application Form.

You will be contacted within a few weeks of your application. In the meantime, check us out on Instagram at @chatter_kcs. Thank you for your interest.

Please note that reference letters are not provided until the end of a full semester.


Khan Team Spotlight

Neha Vashist

Chatter™ Volunteer Coordinator

I’m so grateful for the opportunity to work alongside speech-language pathologists and educators. When I recruit and train new volunteers for our program, I have no doubt the skills they learn at the Chatter Program™ will be invaluable assets for them, just like they have been for me.

Neha VashistChatter™ Volunteer Coordinator

Neha started volunteering with the Khan Chatter Program™ when she was in grade 10. As a 15-year-old, she recalls that she had many preconceived notions about the capabilities of children with social pragmatic delays, such as autism. By volunteering at Chatter™, she found a deep respect for individuals living with disabilities. Paired with a newfound knowledge to create an inclusive, welcoming environment for them, she herself has become a better communicator.

She believes the Chatter Program™ is a rewarding opportunity to see each participant improve their communication skills. It’s a unique, mutual learning process that has helped Neha herself to become a better communicator and has taught her about the strengths in neurodiversity. By creating an inclusive and welcoming environment, Chatter is now a weekly highlight for both Neha and the group.

I have been a volunteer with Chatter for the past 8 years and it has been a pleasure to see how much the program has grown! There is no other organization quite like it. Khan cares deeply about its staff, parents, children and volunteers and in doing so has created an amazing support network.

Maha R.
Volunteer, Chatter Program™