Join us today and discover the power of volunteering to create positive change in the world, one opportunity at a time!
Whether you’re passionate about providing crucial support on our distress lines, reaching out to underserved communities through our phone-based client support programs, offering compassionate grief support to those in need, or getting involved in fundraising initiatives to sustain and expand our vital services, there’s a role for you here. Each opportunity offers its own unique rewards, from fostering connections in the community to honing valuable skills in empathy and support.
To ensure volunteers are fully equipped to effectively manage our various support lines, they are carefully screened and are required to complete comprehensive training before starting on the lines. We do not require any specific educational/professional qualifications, however, volunteers must meet the following criteria:
DCGT provides a comprehensive training program to all its volunteers. Our training prepares volunteers to handle both incoming and outgoing calls for our various programs and services.
DCGT uses adult learning practices and incorporates e-learning modules, quizzes, virtual training classes, role-play, and supplementary reading into our training program.
Following completion of in-class instruction and an evaluation, responders will receive 6-8 hours of coaching and one-on-one support from a trained volunteer mentor.
All training, quizzes, coaching, and reading assignments are mandatory.
DCGT’s training prepares you for your volunteer role. Furthermore, the skills learned and knowledge gained can be applied to your day-to-day life – personally and professionally.
Our curriculum includes:
Mandatory supplementary readings are assigned for each module. Further, additional supplementary readings include the following topics: Anxiety, Depression, Addictions, Psychosis, Trauma, Personality Disorders & Grief.
Note: The information above applies to our phone-based programs only. Training information for our smaller programs, such as Outreach, Suicide Support Program (SSP), and Fund Development, can be provided upon request by emailing info@dcogt.com.
Overview
Core Skills/Requirements
Volunteer Commitment
Career Alignment
Overview
Core Skills/Requirements
Volunteer Commitment
Career Alignment
Overview
Core Skills/Requirements
Working as part of a team, supporting other volunteers who also support you on shift
Volunteer Commitment
Career Alignment
Great experience for future career as case manager, social work, social service work, personal support worker, psychotherapist, gerontology, pharmacy technicians, care coordinators
Overview
Provide emotional support, medication reminders, and safety check ins
Core Skills/Requirements
Volunteer Commitment
Some shifts are bilingual: support both the language line + the English helpline
Career Alignment
Great experience for future career as case manager, social work, social service work, personal support worker, psychotherapist, gerontology, pharmacy technicians, care coordinators
Overview
Core Skills/Requirements
Volunteer Commitment
Career Alignment
Overview
Conduct outreach activities, such as client recruitment, volunteer fairs and community presentations
Core Skills/Requirements
Volunteer Commitment
4 – 8 hours a month (6 month commitment)
Career Alignment
Great experience for a future in client and volunteer recruiting, health and health care promotion, and social media management
Overview
Core Skills/Requirements
Volunteer Commitment
Career Alignment
Overview
Student Commitment
Benefits of Having Your Placement with DCGT
Volunteer opportunities are determined based on the needs of our current programs. Applications are reviewed and individuals are selected for an interview based on interests, availability and skills to satisfy the requirements of the role. We try to ensure your interests and our needs align as much as possible.
Yes! We offer “intensive” volunteer positions, where you complete the same amount of hours, but in a shorter (typically 4 month) timeframe. This is great for summer volunteering, or those who need to travel for long periods of the year. Some roles, such as Outreach, have shorter and lower commitments.
The minimum age to volunteer for our service delivery programs is 18. However, our Fundraising and Events volunteers can be 15+, and it’s a great way to learn about the organization and get your 40 hours of community service.
We offer confirmation letters for volunteers in good standing, and references letter upon the completion of your initial volunteering commitment. If you have been away from volunteering for more than 2 years, we can confirm your volunteering dates and hours, but not the quality of your volunteering.
We do allow some volunteers to support multiple areas of the organization at the same time, however this is often with separate volunteering commitments with each program. We recommend starting in one program and completing your commitment prior to adding additional roles.
Currently our phone programs are fully remote, however we do offer in-person outreach and survivor support group opportunities. If you are interested in in-person volunteering for our phone programs (coming into a call centre to answer or make calls), please let us know.
Yes. All volunteers receive orientation and training provided online via Zoom, E-learning modules as well as in-person.
We value lived experience and appreciate when past service users want to give back. To protect your privacy and ensure you are ready for the emotional demands of the role, we ask that applicants wait one year after their last use of our phone program services before applying. For the Survivor Support Program, the required wait period is two years.
We also encourage applicants interested in supporting our phone programs to consider volunteering with a distress centre they have not personally accessed, as this often provides greater comfort and privacy for both themselves and fellow volunteers they may have previously interacted with.
If you have used our phone programs, you may still be able to volunteer in other areas of the organization, such as Outreach or Fundraising. We are happy to explore the best fit during the application process.
If you are unsure whether your previous use of our services affects your eligibility, please email info@dcogt.com and we will gladly discuss your options.
