Becoming a Volunteer Youth Educator
Do you have a passion for working with youth? Do you have an interest in sharing messages of hope about mental and emotional wellness through educational workshops? Do you have an interest in reducing the number of youth suicides in your community?
The Crisis Centre’s Volunteer Youth Educators facilitate Mindfulness-Based Stress Management and Suicide Awareness & Response workshops for youth in grades 8 to 12. Most of these workshops are offered to youth in high school classroom settings.
Volunteer Youth Educators are adults from a variety of backgrounds, professions, and age groups living in Vancouver’s Lower Mainland. Many have previous experience working with youth. All share a common passion for inspiring hope, engaging with youth, and learning.
In the 2010-11 school year, our Volunteer Youth Educators facilitated more than 400 workshops to more than 10,000 students across the Lower Mainland and Sea to Sky Corridor.
“One of the things that struck me even before I started with the Crisis Centre – when I went through my interview – was the emphasis that was placed on whether I really was a good fit as a volunteer. The attention to detail that started there and continued through the training sessions ensured that the experience we bring to the classroom is consistently effective (and compelling and respectful). I’ve worked with many companies over the years, and haven’t seen any organization – non-profit or otherwise – this well run. It’s been an absolute pleasure to be associated with the group here.” Jim, former Volunteer Youth Educator, Sept 2009 – June 2011
Benefits:
- Enrich your public speaking and group facilitation skills;
- Work interactively with youth in an educational capacity;
- Gain a deeper understanding of youth suicide prevention;
- Learn mindfulness perspectives and practices;
- Receive in-service workshops from various community agencies;
- Reference letters.
Volunteer Requirements:
- Strong desire to work with youth;
- English language fluency;
- Willingness to travel throughout Vancouver, Burnaby, North Vancouver, & West Vancouver;
- Comfort with public speaking and group facilitation;
- Daytime availability (ability to offer a least two outings per month);
- Emotional comfort with the topic of suicide prevention;
- Attend one informational session at the Crisis Centre;
- Attend all training sessions.
If you are interested in becoming a Volunteer Youth Educator:
1. Review Volunteer Requirements and Youth Program information
2. Submit online application
3. Sign up for one Informational Session. Contact Tiffany at trobinson@crisiscentre.bc.ca.
4. Request interview following Informational Session
5. Pay $90 Community Education training fee (collected at first training session)
Application procedure:
NEXT VOLUNTEER TRAINING BEGINS: September 2012
VOLUNTEER APPLICATION DEADLINE: Monday, July 23
1. Review Volunteer requirements and program information
2. Submit online application
3. Sign up for one Informational Session (see sessions below) – Contact Tiffany at trobinson@crisiscentre.bc.ca.
4. Request interview following Informational Session.
The Community Education training fee is on a sliding scale from $20 to $90. This can be discussed during an interview to volunteer.
Informational Sessions:
Below are the spring 2012 Informational Sessions for prospective CommEd volunteers. Info sessions will be held at the Crisis Centre, upstairs training room. These training sessions are to inform & recruit potential volunteers about the September 2012 volunteer training.
Thursday, May 17th 7:00 – 8:30 PM
Thursday, June 21st 7:00 – 8:30 PM
Thursday, July 19th 7:00 – 8:30 PM
* To sign up for an information session, please contact Tiffany at trobinson@crisiscentre.bc.ca.
We are looking for people who are excited to work with youth and willing to learn new skills.
Learn more about our high school-based suicide prevention program.