Volunteer Opportunities

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Sources Peer Support Program sets out to connect our community where connection is missing. We fill the gaps where barriers exist and facilitate accessibility to services within our community. We practice a harm reduction approach, emulating acceptance, compassion, and empathy in those we serve.

The Drop-In Program is a new service operating every Wednesday. Its mission is to meet the basic needs of our community’s most vulnerable members by providing a resource hub for people to access services in one location. By meeting these needs, we decrease barriers to accessing much-needed services.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Drop-In Program volunteer team will work directly with the Peer Support Network to provide guidance and access to resources at our different drop-in services. These services are part of our peer support program and include showers, meals, laundry, harm reduction services, groups, and access to resources through our service hubs, which volunteers may assist with.

ACCOUNTABLE TO:

The volunteer is accountable to the Manager of Overdose Prevention and Peer Support Services.

QUALIFICATIONS:

•    Be aged 18+.
•    Preferred: Food Safe Certificate, First Aid, and CPR.
•    Ability to provide services with empathy and compassion, and to foster an environment of anti-stigmatism that will meet our visitors “where they are at”.
•   Ability to look through a harm reduction lens to support people experiencing substance use.
•    Participation in mandatory training provided by Sources.  This includes Overdose Prevention training (Naloxone training), training in providing harm reduction services and conflict prevention in the context of saying no.
•   Ability to be reliable in attending shifts and/or notify the staff supervisor if unable to do so.
•    Flexible, detail-oriented, with strong organizational skills, and the ability to take initiative, accept direction, and work effectively independently and in a team environment.
•    Ability to work well with diverse client populations.  Ability to relate to individuals across all socioeconomic and cultural groups.
•    Ability to build rapport with various individuals while maintaining a professional demeanour and firm professional boundaries.
•   Ability to exercise sound judgment in a demanding and continually changing work environment.
•   Willingness to secure a Criminal Record Check (at no cost to Sources volunteers).  Sources Community Resource Society has designated all positions as requiring a Criminal Records Review before an applicant can be employed in this capacity.  Certain police records may preclude the appointment to specific positions.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

•    Serve refreshments for approximately 30-50 visitors.  This number may increase depending on need as the program grows.
•    Assist in providing intake services.
•    Assist with the organization and distribution of donated items for our visitors.
•    Assist with drop-in service set up and clean up.
•    Work with the team to provide overdose prevention services to our visitors as needed by applying the skills learned in the mandatory training to save lives.
•    Provide harm reduction supplies and foster a culturally non-judgmental and anti-stigma environment.
•    Debrief regularly with the Overdose Prevention Services and Peer Support Services Manager.
•    Ensure a culturally safe and non-judgmental environment.
•    Ensure that SOURCES Policies and Procedures are followed, as well as the operating procedures of the        Overdose Prevention Services and Peer Support Services.
•    Ensure that all clients’ rights, dignity and confidentiality are maintained.
•    Ensure the health and safety of all clients while working with them.

TIME COMMITMENT:

Shifts available on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays

  Various shifts are available:

Daytime drop-in: Mondays (women only service)/Wednesdays: 2-3 volunteers per shift

9:30 am -12:30 pm (2-3 volunteers)

9:30 am – 2:30 pm (5-6 volunteers)

11:30 am – 2:30 pm (2-3 volunteers)

Evening drop-in: Thursdays/Saturdays: 2-3 volunteers per shift

2:30 pm – 7:30 pm (Thursdays)

2:30 pm – 5:30 pm (Thursdays)

4:30 pm – 7:30 pm (Thursdays)

12:30 pm – 5:30 pm (Saturdays)

12:30 pm – 3:30 pm (Saturdays)

2:30 pm – 5:30 pm (Saturdays)

    A minimum 3-month commitment is expected.

BENEFITS:

This position comes with the opportunity to be a direct point of support to people experiencing marginalization and barriers to accessing services.  This position is a very real opportunity to develop relationships.  If you have lived experience, we invite you to join the team to support the community and share your insights (should you choose).  This position also comes with practical skills and learning development that will save lives, particularly training in Overdose Prevention Services (Naloxone training) and harm reduction training.  We invite all volunteers to provide their insights and ideas on how we can best support the community through this newly developed drop-in program.  We create a community of connection and growth by bridging the gap between vulnerable populations and the public.  We invite you to be part of that growth.

WANT TO APPLY?

CLICK HERE TO VOLUNTEER

If you are interested in more information about this opportunity or other volunteer positions with Sources, please contact Volunteer Services at volunteerservices@sourcesbc.ca or 604-542-4357