Being 55+ has its perks!
You've found yourself at a new stage in your life, where you are ready to fill some of your time with providing support to those dealing with their mental health, so now what??
We want you to join our volunteer team!
Congratulations on this new stage in your life, where you've completed your years of employment and you're enjoying your retirement. Or maybe, you've been a stay-at-home partner in a relationship, and you're now feeling that it's time to start something new. Maybe you're feeling a void in your life that you want to fill with something good. Whatever brought you here to look at our 55+ volunteer program, we're happy to have you!
As a member of society of the 55+ age demographic, we understand that you are at a different place in your life with commitment, time restraints, and comfort.
Perks to being a part of our 55+ volunteer program?
- No overnight shifts
- Flexible schedule, so if you're a morning person, or more of an afternoon go-getter, these shifts are in high need for us. Evenings and weekends are also available, if that is your preference.
- Only 1 x 4 hour shift a week are required for a total of 144 hours for a 1 year commitment
Our goal is to provide you with all of the information needed, so that when you're ready to apply, you'll know exactly what we are all about.
As a starting point, those who get the most out of volunteering with us and who are most helpful to our clients are emotionally mature, stable, calm, empathetic, and above all else, extremely good listeners.
The Distress Centre is an equal opportunity organization. We welcome diversity in the workplace and encourage applications from all qualified candidates.
Ready to apply? Let's get started!
Volunteer Position Description
Our volunteers are the heart of our organization. They give us and our callers the most precious gift - their time. Find out more about what being a volunteer at the Distress Centre is all about here.
Position Description
We support people in varying degrees of distress or crisis who are experiencing a wide range of problems including, but not limited to: suicidal ideations, abuse or violence, mental or physical illness, bereavement, addictions, sexuality and interpersonal problems, youth-related issues, unemployment and more.
Our volunteer Crisis Line Responders are trained in active listening techniques, communication skills, crisis intervention and suicide prevention/intervention techniques. They help clients assess their own situations, establish goals and priorities, and link callers to pertinent resources in the community, if needed.
Training
The Distress Centre’s award-winning volunteer training course (compulsory for all volunteers before answering calls) allows our volunteers to:
- Provide callers who are in crisis or distress with immediate emotional support, in response to urgent needs
- Work collaboratively with callers
- Communicate genuine concern for each caller
- Be accepting of the feelings the caller may have and supportive of their decisions
- Be encouraging and empowering with callers
- Share knowledge of community resources to allow the caller to be aware of all possible options
- Follow the direction of professional staff in reference to callers who require a specific management program
Must Knows
At all times, our volunteer Crisis Line Responders are required to adhere to the policies of the Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region, particularly where confidentiality is concerned. Our policy states, in part "The service provided at the Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region is offered on the understanding that callers' rights to confidentiality will be respected by all volunteers and staff".
Volunteer Crisis Line Responders agree that they will:
- Respond to callers using a non-judgmental, unbiased & non-directive approach
- Be responsible for the shifts (4 hours in length) assigned to them (failure to report for shifts may result in dismissal)
- Attend in-service educational training when offered
- Never breach the confidentiality of a call or disclose the location of the Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region to anyone
Volunteer Screening Process
We ask that you please read the following step-by-step explanation of our screening and selection process prior to submitting your application.
Volunteer Screening Process
Step One: Application Form and Police Records Check
The first step in our screening process is for you to complete the application form and return it to us. Filling out our application form is lengthy so we ask that you set aside 30 to 60 minutes so you can take the time to complete it as thoroughly and honestly as possible. Please note that there are no right or wrong answers to the questions on our application. All submitted applications are considered strictly confidential. As a condition of acceptance to our volunteer training program, you will be required to provide a copy of an updated Police Records Check to be kept on file by the Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region. All directors, staff and volunteers are required to provide an updated Police Records Check every two years.
Step Two: References
When we receive your application, more information will be sent to you by e-mail. The 3 references you provided may be contacted by phone or e-mail. We ask that you please notify your references prior to applying to ensure that they are comfortable with providing a reference on your behalf. Your application will not be processed without the names and coordinates of 3 references.
Please note that we cannot accept references from family members and/or partners/spouses.
Step Three: Attend the Pre-Training Orientation Meeting
Once your application has been accepted, we have spoken with your 3 references and received your updated Police Records Check, you are required to attend our Pre-Training Orientation Meeting. Here, you will join a group of approximately twelve other applicants for a two-hour evening meeting to learn more about the Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region. This meeting is an information session including a questions & answers session.
Step Four: Completion of Training Program
And to conclude, you will be required to attend 2 observation shifts (4 hours per shift) where you will be paired with a veteran volunteer, first to listen to the Crisis Line Responder answering calls and demonstrating the use of the Centre’s technology and, second, to answer calls for help and work with the new technology.
Please Note:
The Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region respects your privacy. We are committed to protecting your personal information and adhere to all legislative requirements with respect to your personal privacy. While applicants may be screened out at any point of our process, you are also in no way obligated to make a commitment to the Distress Centre until acceptance into our training program.
Volunteer FAQ
How do I apply? How many hours is the commitment? What is training like? What type of background check do you do? All of the answers you're looking for can be found in this section!
Volunteer FAQ
Must Knows
At all times, our volunteer Crisis Line Responders are required to adhere to the policies of the Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region, particularly where confidentiality is concerned. Our policy states, in part "The service provided at the Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region is offered on the understanding that callers' rights to confidentiality will be respected by all volunteers and staff".
Volunteer Crisis Line Responders agree that they will:
- Respond to callers using a non-judgmental, unbiased & non-directive approach
- Be responsible for the shifts (4 hours in length) assigned to them (failure to report for shifts may result in dismissal)
- Attend in-service educational training when offered
- Never breach the confidentiality of a call or disclose the location of the Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region to anyone
I'm interested in becoming a volunteer. How do I apply?
The best way to apply for a volunteer Crisis Line Responder position is to complete our online application form.
If you have difficulty accessing the application form or have infrequent access to e-mail, please call the Distress Centre at 613-238-1089 to request that an application form be sent to you by mail.
What kind of commitment does the Distress Centre require?
Once training is complete, volunteers are expected to provide a minimum of 1 year of service to the Distress Centre as a Crisis Line Responder. This works out to approximately 4 shifts per month. This commitment can further be broken down as 35 regular shifts and 15 overnight shifts during the year, with all shifts being 4 hours in length. After the initial 1 year commitment is completed, volunteers may choose to answer calls for help during 1 to 2 shifts per month.
After I apply, what happens next?
Your application will be reviewed by the Distress Centre staff. During this time, we may contact each of the 3 references you provided to us. Once a positive response has been received from all references, you may be contacted by a member of our staff for a phone interview. Following the screening process, you may be invited to join an upcoming volunteer orientation session. For more information, please refer to the Screening Process section.
NOTE: We strongly recommend that you notify your references in advance that the Distress Centre may be contacting them shortly.
Is there a minimum age restriction to become a volunteer?
Yes. You must be 19 years or older at the time you submit your application to become a volunteer Crisis Line Responder at the Distress Centre.
How many volunteers are there at the Distress Centre?
Currently, the Distress Centre has approximately 200 active volunteers Crisis Line Responders operating our phone lines!
Are all calls related to crisis and suicide?
In short, no. While we do answer calls from people who are in crisis or experiencing suicidal thoughts, we also receive calls from people who are simply looking for someone to talk to, from people looking for a community resource to help them, and from people who are just calling to thank us for our services.
What is included in the volunteer training program?
- 5-6 weeks (59 hours) of comprehensive training on active listening, stress and crisis management
- 2-day Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) workshop
- A free copy of the Distress Centre’s comprehensive training manual
- Access to a complete community resource database to support callers
- Free on-site parking, 24 hours a day
- 24/7 support from Team Leaders
- A formal letter of reference upon completion of the 1 year (200 hours) commitment
What benefits can I gain personally from being a volunteer?
Your personal gains will depend on how engaged you are during your experience at the Distress Centre. Many volunteers will say they:
- Learned from other individuals on an incredible team of volunteers
- Received unique training on crucial issues such as how to diffuse crisis and prevent suicide
- Developed their communication and listening skills
- Feel better connected to others in the community
- Feel they have made an impact in the lives of others
- Gained new perspectives about themselves personally (experiences, feelings and behaviours)
What benefits can I gain professionally from being a volunteer?
Being a volunteer at the Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region is not only a personally fulfilling experience but there are various benefits for your professional life as well, including:
- Development of communication and active listening skills to integrate into your professional life
- Ability to assess and diffuse crisis and/or high stress situations effectively
- Increased knowledge of local resources available in the community
- A letter of reference upon completion of your 1 year (200 hours) commitment for community involvement or academic purposes
- Opportunity for post-secondary placement (specifically for people interested in the mental health field)
55+ Volunteer FAQ
The Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region has volunteer opportunities for those who are over the age of 55. We have flexible hours and shifts to accommodate different lifestyles and life skills.
55+ Volunteer FAQ
- No overnight shifts!
- Looking for morning and afternoon volunteers. Evening and weekend shifts are also available.
- Flexible hours
- 4 Hour shifts 1x/week, 3-4 shifts per month. Opportunities to do more shifts if desired.
- 144hr commitment within a year (based on 3 shifts/month).
- After initial commitment is met, opportunity to drop number of hours down each month