Parents: Frequently Asked Questions
Q: My child is really busy at school. Can you give me
an idea of the typical time commitment for SAINTS work in a week?
A: Usually, our students will work no more than an hour or two a week.
If time permits, for instance at vacation periods, the students can
work whatever hours they and the client decide. We hope this
flexibility is a useful feature of SAINTS.
The one commitment which is unpredictable and not flexible is snow
shovelling! Please encourage your student to do all they can to keep
their clients' paths and walkways clear.
Q: I really like the idea of SAINTS, and I'd like to help out myself.
What can I do?
A: SAINTS welcomes input from members of the North Toronto community!
We have parents serving on our Board of Management (6 meetings
per year) helping to set policy and raise funds for the agency.
Think of the many ways you can "talk SAINTS up" in the community--among
your friends, neighbours and any groups you belong to. We have flyers
available which you can distribute to potential clients or student
workers--just let us know!
Q: What Insurance provisions does SAINTS have?
A: SAINTS does not carry insurance which covers your child
individually. We hope there won't be any cause for claims, but they
would need to be settled between the worker and the client.
Q: My child noticed over a few months that one client seems to be
getting less able to cope in her home. What should happen now?
A: SAINTS works closely with other social service agencies in North
Toronto; and we're in touch with them if a problem is identified by one
of our student workers. Although SAINTS doesn't do these things
directly, we can help arrange a visit from a social worker, get a
client started with Meals on Wheels, or make suggestions about
transportation services.
Q: I'm concerned about my child's safety while working with
SAINTS. Are there people you will not accept as clients?
A: Occasionally we do have clients who prove too demanding for our
student workers, so we have to decline service. We also find a few
clients who are displaying the early stages of mental disorders (as is
typical in the older population). For these clients, we will work with
other agencies to make sure their needs are met.
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