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You will be a crisis line responder, providing emotional support and crisis intervention on the 408-HELP line.
You will be a crisis line responder, providing emotional support and crisis intervention on the 408-HELP line.
Excellent communication skills: a good listener
Ability to build rapport and convey empathy
Capacity to remain calm and effective in challenging situations
Non-judgemental and accepting of diverse values and beliefs
Reliability and punctuality
The ability to work both independently and in a team environment
Good self-awareness and common sense
Emotional resilience, stability and maturity
Proficiency in English
Open to feedback
Adherence to Distress Centres’ policies, procedures and call-taking guidelines
Ability to support Distress Centres’ philosophy of empowering individuals to identify their strengths
Two references that are professional or volunteer-related
Police reference check, including vulnerable sector screening
A $75 fee to offset the costs of training & training materials
Successful completion of a comprehensive 40-hour training program
Reliability in fulfilling shift commitments
Working within Distress Centres’ policy and procedure guidelines
Maintaining confidentiality about your work with Distress Centres
Participation in ongoing training and work-related opportunities for growth
Helping those in need in your own community can be tremendously rewarding. It is a unique opportunity to help others, while also developing and enhancing communication skills that many find useful in everyday personal and business life.
Other benefits include:
Training
Enhanced self-growth
Increased knowledge of community resources
Learning new information about social issues
Opportunity to volunteer in an organization where diversity is welcomed and celebrated
Personal satisfaction of knowing one is making a difference in the community
Preparation for careers such as social work, psychology, community outreach, etc.
Letter of reference upon fulfilment of one-year commitment
Volunteers must be 18 years or older to apply
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 there are certain criteria our volunteers are expected to meet:
At least 18 years of age
A kind and caring heart, patience, empathy and a desire to help those who are struggling in the community Compassionate and able to provide listening support without judging
Able to accept and respect differences of opinion, values, views and beliefs that may be different from your own
Able to complete 22 hours of in-class training, 20 hours of supplementary training materials (i.e., e-book, videos), 8 to 12 hours on-the-phones coaching
Able to commit to 16 hours per month (i.e. 100 hours in six months)
Agree to complete the police verification form given by Spectra Helpline, or submission of a recent police records check from a volunteer organization (i.e. within 6 months of validity period)
Agree to abide by and sign DCGT’s confidentiality agreement
Payment of a non-refundable training fee (may differ for Peel region training)
DCGT (Peel Sites) provide a comprehensive training program to all its volunteers. Our training prepares volunteers to handle both incoming calls and outgoing calls for our various programs and services. In-class training sessions take place year round and are delivered in eight 3-hour modules.
DCGT uses adult learning practices and incorporates lecture, role-play, scenarios, exercises and supplementary reading into our training program. Post in-class instruction, responders will receive between 8-12 hours of one-to-one on-the-line coaching. All training, coaching and reading assignments are mandatory. DCGT’s training prepares you for your volunteer role, and, is designed in such a way that all the skills learned and knowledge gained can be applied to your day-to-day life – personally and professionally.
Our curriculum includes:
Active Listening
Values
Diversity and Cultural Competency
Sexuality (LGBTQ)
Mental Health
Addiction
Anger
Abuse (including Elder Abuse)
Crisis and Suicide Assessment and Intervention
Self-Care
Mandatory supplementary readings are assigned for each module. Further, additional supplementary readings include the following topics: Parenting and postpartum; Grief, death and dying; and Violence.
Help Others
Give back to the community
Help others, help themselves
Help those with mental health issues cope, and feel less stigmatized
Change peoples’ lives (including your own)
Save peoples’ lives
Learn About Your Community And Neighbours
Increase knowledge and understanding of prevalent issues and challenges faced by many in our community; developing greater social awareness
Improve your understanding of individual differences by being exposed to people of diverse backgrounds, cultures, races, ages, and abilities, etc.
Increase your awareness of the special needs and circumstances of others
Enhance your knowledge of community resources and services
Develop a stronger sense of belonging
Improve Interpersonal And Communication Skills
Develop new listening and communication skills you can use in all aspects of your life (i.e. both professionally and personally)
Increase your self-awareness
Improve your understanding of your own personal strengths, values and beliefs IMPROVE HOW YOU HANDLE CRISIS
Learn crisis/suicide assessment and intervention skills
Develop patience and an empathetic approach to dealing with those in crisis
Increase personal comfort level when interacting with those in crisis
Help Obtain Your Goals
Improve your resume
Support academic learning with real-life experience
Explore and clarify your goals, in terms of career/job/new experience
Have the opportunity to network and meet new people
Feel Good
Just re-read this list!
Volunteers must be 18 years or older to apply
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 there are certain criteria our volunteers are expected to meet:
At least 18 years of age
A kind and caring heart, patience, empathy and a desire to help those who are struggling in the community Compassionate and able to provide listening support without judging
Able to accept and respect differences of opinion, values, views and beliefs that may be different from your own
Able to complete 22 hours of in-class training, 20 hours of supplementary training materials (i.e., e-book, videos), 8 to 12 hours on-the-phones coaching
Able to commit to 16 hours per month (i.e. 100 hours in six months)
Agree to complete the police verification form given by Spectra Helpline, or submission of a recent police records check from a volunteer organization (i.e. within 6 months of validity period)
Agree to abide by and sign DCGT’s confidentiality agreement
Payment of a non-refundable training fee (may differ for Peel region training)
DCGT (Peel Sites) provide a comprehensive training program to all its volunteers. Our training prepares volunteers to handle both incoming calls and outgoing calls for our various programs and services. In-class training sessions take place year round and are delivered in eight 3-hour modules.
DCGT uses adult learning practices and incorporates lecture, role-play, scenarios, exercises and supplementary reading into our training program. Post in-class instruction, responders will receive between 8-12 hours of one-to-one on-the-line coaching. All training, coaching and reading assignments are mandatory. DCGT’s training prepares you for your volunteer role, and, is designed in such a way that all the skills learned and knowledge gained can be applied to your day-to-day life – personally and professionally.
Our curriculum includes:
Active Listening
Values
Diversity and Cultural Competency
Sexuality (LGBTQ)
Mental Health
Addiction
Anger
Abuse (including Elder Abuse)
Crisis and Suicide Assessment and Intervention
Self-Care
Mandatory supplementary readings are assigned for each module. Further, additional supplementary readings include the following topics: Parenting and postpartum; Grief, death and dying; and Violence.
Help Others
Give back to the community
Help others, help themselves
Help those with mental health issues cope, and feel less stigmatized
Change peoples’ lives (including your own)
Save peoples’ lives
Learn About Your Community And Neighbours
Increase knowledge and understanding of prevalent issues and challenges faced by many in our community; developing greater social awareness
Improve your understanding of individual differences by being exposed to people of diverse backgrounds, cultures, races, ages, and abilities, etc.
Increase your awareness of the special needs and circumstances of others
Enhance your knowledge of community resources and services
Develop a stronger sense of belonging
Improve Interpersonal And Communication Skills
Develop new listening and communication skills you can use in all aspects of your life (i.e. both professionally and personally)
Increase your self-awareness
Improve your understanding of your own personal strengths, values and beliefs IMPROVE HOW YOU HANDLE CRISIS
Learn crisis/suicide assessment and intervention skills
Develop patience and an empathetic approach to dealing with those in crisis
Increase personal comfort level when interacting with those in crisis
Help Obtain Your Goals
Improve your resume
Support academic learning with real-life experience
Explore and clarify your goals, in terms of career/job/new experience
Have the opportunity to network and meet new people
Feel Good
Just re-read this list!
Volunteers must be 18 years or older to apply
There is an expected commitment of 1 shift per week in the first year, minimum of 4 shifts per month, and the shifts range from 3-4 hours in length. Volunteers set their own schedules based on availability and have the opportunity to choose shifts from a 24 hour duration. Mornings – anytime between 6am-noon; afternoons – anytime between noon – 6pm; evenings – anytime between 6pm-midnight, and overnights – anytime in between midnight and 6am.
Credit of hours will be given in accordance with the time spent on the lines.
Inability to maintain and be consistent in completing this requirement will result in dismissal.
Our volunteers do not require prior knowledge or experience. Distress Centre offers comprehensive training to all new volunteers on topics including: crisis intervention, abuse, mental health, domestic violence and many more. The initial training is 40 hours and takes place over 5 weeks with a combination of independent reading material along with Zoom sessions by a trainer. The class training is followed by an evaluation process which includes supervised shifts by our mentors. Attendance is mandatory for all modules and supervised shifts prior to joining the lines independently.
Helping those in need in your own community can be tremendously rewarding. It is a unique opportunity to help others, while also developing and enhancing communication skills that many find useful in everyday personal and business life.
Other benefits include:
Training
Enhanced self-growth
Increased knowledge of community resources
Learning new information about social issues
Opportunity to volunteer in an organization where diversity is welcomed and celebrated
Personal satisfaction of knowing one is making a difference in the community
Preparation for careers such as social work, psychology, community outreach, etc.
Letter of reference upon fulfilment of one-year commitment
Volunteers must be 18 years or older to apply
The expected commitment is 1 shift per week for the duration of 4 hours, over a 12 month period with a minimum of 4 shifts per month. The shifts range from 4pm-1am daily.
Our volunteers do not require prior knowledge or experience. Distress Centre offers comprehensive training to all new volunteers on topics including: crisis intervention, abuse, mental health, domestic violence and many more. The initial training is 40 hours and takes place over 5 weeks with a combination of independent reading material along with Zoom sessions by a trainer. The class training is followed by an evaluation process which includes supervised shifts by our mentors. Attendance is mandatory for all modules and supervised shifts prior to joining the lines independently.
Helping those in need in your own community can be tremendously rewarding. It is a unique opportunity to help others, while also developing and enhancing communication skills that many find useful in everyday personal and business life.
Other benefits include:
Training
Enhanced self-growth
Increased knowledge of community resources
Learning new information about social issues
Opportunity to volunteer in an organization where diversity is welcomed and celebrated
Personal satisfaction of knowing one is making a difference in the community
Preparation for careers such as social work, psychology, community outreach, etc.
Letter of reference upon fulfilment of one-year commitment