CoSA Support Volunteer
| Organization Details | |
|---|---|
| Organization Name: | Circles of Support and Accountability |
| Address: | 201-1335 Erin St. Winnipeg MB R3E 2S7 |
| Website: | http://www.initiativesjc.org/wpblog/cosa/ |
| Organizational Description: | We are a program that works to enhance community safety by creating circles of support and accountability around people with high-risk offense cycles after their release from a correctional institution. |
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| Volunteer Opportunity Details | |
| Volunteer Opportunity ID: | 1730 |
| Description of Duties: | Circles of Support and Accountability (CoSA) offers a caring community around people with violent and sexual offending histories, who are at high risk of harming themselves or others. CoSA is seeking volunteers who can commit to a weekly 1-2 hour meeting with a circle (participant, staff, and volunteers), focusing on support and accountability for the participant. Volunteers should expect to: -Learn about participant needs, strengths and risk factors -Facilitate open and honest dialogue -Model healthy, accountable relating in accordance with a signed circle agreement and CoSA principles -Support the core member in practicing healthy behaviours and in seeking outside help for needs beyond the circle's capacity including addictions, mental health, learning disabilities, etc. -Support the core member in addressing practical needs, such as strategizing ways to secure income or housing -Respect confidentiality |
| Skills Required: | -Committed to learning about, and working within, a restorative justice context -Ability to maintain clear boundaries -Capacity to problem-solve, learn from, and make decisions as part of a team -Empathic and non-judgmental -Good interpersonal and communication skills and an ability to be constructive -Ability to be proactive but also seek support when needed -Willingness to learn practical approaches for facilitating discussions -Ability to accept guidance, supervision and support from, and communicate with staff -Willingness to participate in on-going skills development -Reliable and consistent -Recognition of interacting issues of settler colonialism and the judicial system in Canada |
| Skills Gained/Related Careers: | -3 mandatory trainings focused on post-incarceration support of individuals: Introduction to CoSA Integration Concerns Understanding Sexual Assault Trauma -Additional learning opportunities may be provided in areas such as sexual offending, child abuse and trauma, victim perspectives, stages of change, and understanding institutionalization -Volunteers receive regular support and debriefs with staff, and opportunities for additional connecting with other volunteers |
| Age: | 18-30, 31-54, 55+ |
| Time Commitment: | Daytime , Evening CoSA circles meet for 1-2 hours weekly and we ask for a minimum one year commitment once you are placed in a circle. |
| Location of volunteer opportunity: | Winnipeg |
| Does opportunity require a criminal record check? | Yes Will cost be reimbursed? Yes |
| Does opportunity require a child abuse registry check? | Yes Will cost be reimbursed? Yes |
| Opportunity is available to candidates that: | Fulfilling volunteer hours for school credit Are able to attend with a support person Uses a mobility device French speaking / Bilingual (French and English) Speaks another language (other than French or English): Any language besides English could be an asset |
| Organization will provide: | A letter of reference Evaluation Supervision Training/Orientation |
| How to Apply: |
Email: cosawpg@initiativesjc.org Phone: 431-688-2642 In Person Online: www.initiativesjc.org/wpblog/cosa/ |
| Closing Date: | Jan 1, 2025 |
