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About the Position
Distress Centres of Greater Toronto (DCOGT), Peel Sites Specific location is confidential until training is completed, PLUS remote/virtual from the volunteer's residence Mississauga, Virtual

Under the supervision of professional staff, all volunteers are carefully screened and fully trained prior working with our clients. Volunteers also receive ongoing professional support and in-service education sessions. Experienced volunteers learn many life and communication skills which enable them to function more effectively in other aspects of their lives.



We are seeking remote volunteers to make phone calls to our registered clients, to offer a supportive ear, reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation, or to help with medication reminders. We offer flexible shift times and lengths, from 1 hour to 4 hours.



SPECIAL LANGUAGE SKILLS NEEDED:



DCGT provides our programs and services in 7 languages other than English. Currently we are seeking volunteers who can understand and speak fluently in the following languages: CantoneseMandarinPortugueseSpanishHindiPunjabi and Urdu. (These 'links' will provide access to our brochures in those languages.)



To apply, volunteers with profiles in Volunteer MBC's Referral System can click the yellow box 'Apply Now!' (above/below) to gain immediate access to the DCGT volunteer application process, plus your name/contact info/ will be added to a list of 'Applicants' for this role. If you do not have a 'profile', you are invited to create one, or you can access the organization's website (and its 'Volunteer' page). 

Help Others: Give back to the community; help those with mental health issues cope; and feel less stigmatized, change peoples’ lives (including your own)



Connect to Your Community: Increase knowledge and understanding of prevalent issues and challenges faced by many in our community; developing greater social awareness; Feel more socially connected to others and 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); Improve your understanding of your own personal strengths, values and beliefs; Develop patience and an empathetic approach to dealing with those in crisis

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 online in-class training, supplementary training materials (i.e., e-book, videos), and a mentoring shift with on-the-phones coaching

  • Able to commit to 12 hours per month 

  • Available for shifts scheduled between 9-5 Monday to Friday

  • Agree to complete the police verification form given by DCGT, 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

  • Have access to a confidential space for volunteering

  • Have a computer and reliable internet access (please ask us about the devices and software that you will need for this 'role')



SCREENING of applicants will be remote (Tel/Email/Online interviewing). After you apply, please monitor your 'Junk/Spam' email folders and leave space on your voicemail for communications from DCGT.

DCGT provides a comprehensive, remote training, that prepares volunteers for making outgoing calls for each of our outbound programs.



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 4-8 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.



Curriculum Highlights: Active Listening and Solution Focused Conversations, Diversity and Cultural Competency, Mental Healthe, Abuse (including Elder Abuse), Crisis and Suicide Assessment and Intervention, Peer Support



Mandatory supplementary readings are assigned for each module. Further, additional supplementary readings are also provided to help you grow your knowledge in preparation for supporting Outbound clients.

Crisis, Distress & Emergency Response, Counselling & Mental Health, Life Skills & Accessibility, Senior Support, Multilingual
How to Contact
Send an Email Message
Social Media
https://www.dcogt.com/
https://www.facebook.com/DistressCentresGTA
https://twitter.com/distresscentres
https://www.linkedin.com/company/distress-centres-toronto/
https://www.youtube.com/user/Spectrasupport
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