Overview:
A Peer Supporter with Badge of Life Canada plays a crucial role in providing emotional and psychological support to Public Safety Personnel (police officers, firefighters, paramedics, correctional officers, nurses, military personnel) and their families who are experiencing operational stress injuries (OSI) such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Peer Supporters create a safe, confidential, and empathetic space for individuals to share their experiences, challenges, and feelings without judgment. Through lived experience and understanding, they help others navigate mental health challenges, build resilience, and find a path to recovery.

Key Responsibilities:

• Offer Emotional Support: Provide a non-judgmental and compassionate environment for individuals to express their feelings and challenges.
• Active Listening: Use active listening skills to understand the concerns of participants, ensuring they feel heard and validated.
• Share Lived Experience: Draw upon personal experiences in the public safety or military field (or from supporting a loved one in this field) to connect with participants, offering hope and encouragement.
• Promote Mental Wellness Resources: Help participants access additional mental health resources and services as needed, including therapy, counseling, and Badge of Life Canada’s educational programs.
• Confidentiality: Maintain the confidentiality of all discussions and interactions in accordance with Badge of Life Canada's policies.
• Collaborate with Professionals: Work closely with mental health professionals, facilitators, and the Badge of Life Canada team to ensure participants receive the best possible support.
• Provide Crisis Intervention: Recognize signs of crisis in participants and, if necessary, escalate the situation to appropriate professionals for further intervention.

Training and Support:
Badge of Life Canada provides comprehensive training to all Peer Supporters. Our training program equips you with the tools and skills needed to effectively support individuals dealing with operational stress injuries. This includes training in:

• Active listening techniques
• Crisis intervention and de-escalation
• Recognizing signs of OSI and PTSD
• Confidentiality and ethical boundaries
• Best practices for peer support in a public safety context

Ongoing support and supervision will be provided to ensure Peer Supporters have access to guidance and resources while serving in their roles.

Qualifications:

• Lived experience as a Public Safety Personnel, military member, or as a family member of someone in these roles.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to actively listen.
• Empathy, patience, and a non-judgmental attitude.
• Commitment to confidentiality and ethical standards.
• Willingness to participate in all required training sessions.

Commitment:
Peer Supporters are asked to dedicate time to facilitate or participate in peer support meetings, either virtually or in person, on a regular basis (typically weekly or bi-weekly). Flexibility in schedule is important, as meetings may vary depending on participant needs.

Impact:
As a Peer Supporter with Badge of Life Canada, you will play a vital role in helping individuals and families cope with the challenges of operational stress injuries. Your support can make a meaningful difference in their mental health journey, providing them with hope, strength, and a path toward healing.

This is a remote volunteer position supporting the Guelph-Wellington Community. All shifts and training are completed remotely, therefore, residence in Guelph-Wellington is not a requirement for this position.

Responsibilities:

• Complete inbound and outbound calls with service users residing in the county
• Complete safety/wellness checks, provide medication reminders, and engage in social conversations with vulnerable populations
• Assist with crisis intervention, when presented
• Utilize a strengths-based, solution-focused approach
• Provide external resources and referrals to service users 
• Complete case documentation of all interactions with service users

Community volunteers are trained to work as part of a team to assist victims of crime or tragedy by providing emotional support, practical assistance and community referrals. Support can be on-site or by phone. Referrals are from police and community agencies.

 As a crisis responder you may be asked to assist the OPP or other first responders to help victims and/or families. 

The South Georgian Bay Community Health Centre provides volunteer opportunities to the South Georgian Bay region.

 
Current programs offering volunteer opportunities include:  

• mental health programs  
• physical exercise groups  
• nutrition education  
• chronic disease management groups  
•  
• social support groups, hobbies and crafts groups, and more

Eligibility: 16 years and older

Application Process: E-mail the health centre at volunteer@sgbchc.ca, phone or apply via the website.

Pregnancy and Infant Loss (PAIL) Network provides bereavement support at no cost to families who have experienced the loss of a pregnancy at any stage, or the death of their baby, up to 12 months of age. We currently have volunteer opportunities for people who are approximately two years past their bereavement date and are looking for meaningful ways to offer their support to others. We are actively training peer supporters for private online bereavement support groups and one-to-one phone support.

Peer Support Duties:

• Provide direct peer support to families 
• Communicate issues or challenges with Family Partnership Program Manager as they arise
• Communicate periodically with families through the peer support offered and/or through a distribution list (eg. email, newsletter, or mail) as necessary 

Administrative Duties:

• Communicate with PCMH through email, phone, virtual and in-person meetings 
• Ensure chapter email and telephone line are checked at a minimum every 4 days
• Attend monthly Town Halls and support resource creation by sharing your experiences and knowledge 
• Participate in training opportunities 
• Complete monthly data surveys, and respond to requests for information to inform PCMH programming and support initiatives better

Kids Help Phone’s texting service is the only free, 24/7 bilingual text line for people in Canada. The service is delivered by trained, volunteer crisis responders who work remotely. 

We are recruiting overnight and or bilingual crisis responders who will answer texts from young people looking for support in both English AND French.

The volunteer position will be remote, meaning that you can participate from anywhere in Canada as long you have a strong, reliable internet connection!  

Our volunteers need to be enthusiastic about helping people!

You can be a professional, student, teacher, retiree, or anybody else with a willingness to learn how to support people over text.  

The role of a crisis responder is to bring texters from a “hot” moment to a cool calm one, and to help them come up with a plan to stay healthy and safe.

Crisis responders are trained to do this using active listening and collaborative problem-solving.

Positions include:
• Shopper/cooks: Develop menu, shop within budget, cook meal - 12 Noon-5:30 pm
• Prep/set-up: Prepare meal and set up hall - 2 pm-3:30 pm
• Servers: Greet community members, serve meal - 4 pm-7 pm
• Clean-up: Clean up after meal - 5:30 pm-7 pm

• Empathetic listeners who are able to provide inclusive, non-judgmental support to callers representing a variety of ages, identities, and concerns
• Call centre operates 24/7, and we actively recruit both day and night shifts
• Day shifts are 4 hours
• Overnight shifts are 8 hours

• Help to facilitate 8 week, Grief Support Groups (2.5 hours/week)
• Provide a listening ear and a safe space for individuals to work through their grief.
• Maintain close contact with the Bereavement Services Coordinator

On-site Volunteer at Earl Rowe Provincial Park, Alliston

• Help people with disabilities kayak and canoe
• Check paperwork, PFDs and other equipment
• If volunteer wishes to assist on water we will train canoe or kayak for a small fee, adaptive training is free

Off-site Volunteer

• Help with office administration including record keeping, spreadsheets, grant writing, Board of Directors

Volunteers are matched to clients who are living with a life-limiting illness. They support and comfort their client and the client's circle of support. Be it family or friends.  The goal is to be flexible and assist someone on this journey with whatever they might require. It could be physical, but usually, it is emotional support and advocacy. Once the match has been made, the client and the volunteer set a time schedule that is good for both. Visiting volunteers provide support to our clients in the comfort of the clients home, where ever that may be; their house, long-term care facility, hospital or the vulnerably housed.

• Provide weekly companionship to client of Breaking Down Barriers.
• Assist with activities like arts & crafts, cooking, scrapbooking, weaving and Friendship Café
• Meet for conversation, maybe go for an outing and just be a friendly face to someone who may otherwise be isolated.

• Providing peer to peer support for people who are grieving the loss of a loved one
• This support is offered over the phone, and is arranged by our Spiritual Care Coordinator

Volunteers Assist With Reception Duties: 

• Answering Phone 
• Greeting Visitors 
• Processing Mass Mailings 
• Assisting with Photo Copies 
• Preparing Support Groups 
• Training manuals

• Facilitate the English Conversation Circle once a week
• Teach English to a group of Newcomers
• Help clients integrate to the community

Visiting Volunteers Provide: 

• Emotional Support  
• Companionship  
• Respite to caregivers of clients

• Demonstrated experience required (paid or volunteer) 

• Have a clear understanding of gender based violence and associated trauma 

• Listen to clients to assess their needs and recommend resources to meet those needs 

• Work with Program Manager to ensure the application of effective Program Planning 

• Share our passion and dedication to making a real difference in the lives of women (particularly BIPOC) who have experienced trauma through domestic violence and/or human trafficking 

• Deliver to a high standard, in often challenging circumstances, both ethically and professionally and are able to work collaboratively in a culturally diverse organization 

• You will demonstrate a commitment to the organization's mission and values
 

• Demonstrated experience required (paid or volunteer) 
 

• Designing, Planning and Implementing the Health Promotion Campaigns within the house and/or community 
 

• Have a clear understanding of the traumatic effects of domestic violence and/or human trafficking on an individual 
 

• Listen to clients to assess their needs and recommend resources to meet those needs 
 

• Assist in monitoring the physical and mental health of the clients 
 

• Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously and efficiently with minimal supervision 
 

• Share our passion and dedication to making a real difference in the lives of women (particularly BIPOC women) who have experienced trauma through domestic violence and/or human trafficking 
 

• Deliver to a high standard, in pften challenging circumstances, both ethically and professionally and are able to work collaboratively in a culturally diverse organization 
 

• You will demonstrate a commitment to the organization's missions and values
 

Integral part of ensuring that staff and volunteers are looked after in a professional and open way. The HR Specialist will act as a catalyst when handling disputes and ensuring that policies and legislation are being followed. Working collaboratively with other members of the team, the HR Specialist will work toward the following as a volunteer: 

• Demonstrated experience required (paid or volunteer) 
• Have a clear understanding of domestic violence, human trafficking and associated trauma 
• CHRP designate is an asset 
• Solid understanding of labour legislation and employee recruitment 
• Maintaining updated employee and volunteer records 
• Support the staff culture 
• Working with staff and volunteers to ensure that policy is being interpreted and executed in the manner for which it was intended 
• Able to manage and implement conflict resolution practices where required 
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously and efficiently with minimal supervision 
• Share our passion and dedication to making a real difference in the lives of women (particularly BIPOC women) who have experienced trauma through domestic violence and/or human trafficking 
• Deliver to a high standard in often challenging circumstances, both ethically and professionally are able to work collaboratively in a culturally diverse organization 
• You will demonstrate a commitment to the organization's mission and values

• Demonstrated experience required (paid or volunteer) 
 

• Liaising with local programs, police social service agencies and the community when required, to promote the program, exchange information to build and maintain a cooperative alliance 
 

• Have a clear understanding of human trafficking and associated trauma 
 

• Listen to clients to assess their needs and recommend resources that meet those needs 
 

• Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously and efficiently with minimal supervision 
 

• Work with the Program Manager to ensure the application of effective Programming 
 

• Share our passion and dedication to making a real difference in the lives of women (particularly BIPOC Women) who have experienced trauma through domestic violence and/or human trafficking 
 

• Deliver to a high standard, in often challenging circumstances, both ethically and professionally and are able to work collaboratively in a culturally diverse organization 
 

• You will demonstrate a commitment to the organization's mission and values
 

• Demonstrated experience required (paid or volunteer) 

• Liaising with local programs, social service agencies and the community when required, to promote the program, exchange information and establish and maintain a cooperative alliance 

• Have a clear understanding of domestic violence, human trafficking and associated trauma 

• Liaise with the organization's specialists and coordinators to design programs that meet the needs of the clients 

• Work with staff and volunteers to ensure the application of effective program planning 

• Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously and efficiently with minimal supervision 

• Share our passion and dedication to making a real difference in the lives of women (particularly BIPOC women) who have experienced trauma through domestic violence and/or human trafficking 

• Deliver to a high standard, in often challenging circumstances, both ethically and professionally and are able to work collaboratively in a culturally diverse organization 

• You will demonstrate a commitment to the organization's mission and values
 

The board will continuously monitor the organization’s programs and activities to be sure they are aligned with the mission to achieve short-term goals and long-term purpose. They will exercise fiduciary responsibility to obtain and appropriately use resources required to carry out the organization’s mission.

Support our Social Recreation Coordinator with the delivery of varied programs for people living with dementia.
• Ensure that participants are engaged
• Some light set up and clean up of the space for each program
• Training as appropriate for each course
• Volunteers participate in the activities along with the participants - It's fun!
• This program may be held virtually during the pandemic. A computer would be a requirement to volunteer in that case

• Help with the set up and clean up of refreshments, games, and activities for the program
• Assist the Minds in Motion Coordinator to ensure activity participation and socialization. This may include spending one-on-one time with participants who need extra support
• Under the direction of the Physical Activity Program Leader, provide one-on-one support to participants during the physical activity component of the program
• Assist with any other required tasks

Provide emotional support to anyone grieving the loss of a loved one to death or palliative diagnosis.  
1:1 and group support available.

Volunteers work with Alzheimer Society Family Support Coordinators in 1) a morning Support Group, 2) an afternoon Support Group or 3) an evening Support Group, depending upon the community.

Share your love of reading and comfort with Zoom meetings, by facilitating a small online book club for people with development disabilities.  This role promotes literacy, community interaction and building relationships.  

As a Book Club Facilitator you will manage the weekly Zoom meetings (admitting members, sharing screens, assigning cohosts etc.) as well as assign Individual readers, plan sessions and read some of the chosen text to/with the group.

This group usually focusses on one book per season and works slowly through chapters, reading together and discussing.

This group meets virtually every Tuesday from 6-7 pm, therefore the Facilitator would need to commit about 1.5 hours each Tuesday and perhaps an additional 30 - 60 minutes weekly for planning.

Volunteers would be required to provide support to individuals on a helpline or chat service who have experienced sexual trauma, violence and or assault. A 30 hour training course and interview is to be completed before starting on the helpline and chat service. 

Supporting the personal goals of Individuals with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities residing in group homes to be active participating members of the community.  The may include playing games, crafts, baking, entertainment (movie watching/listening to and/or playing music) within a congregate residence.  There may be opportunity to participate in day outings or special events.

Humane Education Volunteers - Extracurricular Programs are responsible for engaging youth enrolled in GTHS after-school and / or summer programs and / or field trips.

Based on the after-hours course or club, duties may include:

• Assisting with running the program at the direction of the Humane Education Coordinator
• Helping to create a fun, encouraging learning environment
• Live videoing and explanation of Animal Centre activities (tour, Q&A)
• Making animal related crafts
• Engaging, supervising and working with children to direct their activities
• Ensuring animals are being handled compassionately
• Answering questions that arise

Clubs and courses to choose to support as a volunteer include:

·        Reading Buddies on Sundays from 10-11am – Youth of all ages

·        Youth Club on Mondays from 5.15-6.45pm  – Ages 12-16

·        After School Club on Tuesdays 4.30-5.45pm – Ages 7-11

·        Pet Sitters Course on Tuesdays from 6-7.15pm – Ages 12-17

·        Junior Vets of Tomorrow I on Wednesdays from 4.30-5.45pm – Ages 11-13

·        Vets of Tomorrow I on Wednesdays from 6-7.15pm – Ages 14-17

·        Craft Club on Thursdays from 4.30-5.45pm – Ages 10-14

·        Vets of Tomorrow II on Thursdays 6-7.15pm – Ages 11-15

To Advocate Educate and Celebrate on behalf of the 2SLGBTAI plus community. 

Providing a leadership role within mental health groups, all while ensuring a supportive and constructive atmosphere for group participants.

Group topics include, but are not limited to:

• mindfulness
• breathwork
• self-care
• vision boarding
• journalling 
• grief support

Support the independent social/community activities of Individuals with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities through outings, walks, game-playing, conversation or interaction with other community programs.  This Volunteer role encourages engagement and joy through relationship building and recreational activities.

The Pet Bereavement Volunteer is responsible for co-hosting a monthly Pet Bereavement Group, in partnership with Hospice Georgian Triangle, to support pet owners come to terms with the loss of their pet and to facilitate the sharing of pet ownership experiences in an empathetic environment.

• Session preparation:
  • Collect GTHS signage, documentation and any other supplies required from Animal Centre
  • Ensure venue is clean, tidy and welcoming for attendee’s arrival

• Session wrap-up:
• Tidy venue
• Return GTHS property to Animal Centre, as appropriate
• Co-host Group with Hospice Georgian Triangle by assisting with planned activities and discussions
• Hospice Georgian Triangle will lead and plan sessions, GTHS volunteers will provide support and friendly, non-judgemental, and empathetic connection for group participants
• Promote additional GTHS programs and services, as appropriate

• Follow appropriate protocol, policies and procedures

Volunteers will be responsable for meeting with a clients weekly or bi-weekly to add enrichment to peoples lives. Clients are blind or have vision loss to some degree, which often requires adpaments to life. Volunteers are required to socialse with them and add normal contact back in their lives after the effects of the pandemic. They can go for walks, visit community gardens, really anything the pair would enjoy. The requirement are up to the two people who are paired. 

• Initial Session: Conduct an opening session with the child and parents to develop a personalized tutoring plan.

• Planning and Scheduling: Schedule and organize all tutoring sessions in coordination with the participant and program coordinator.

• Session Management: Direct sessions to build on skills the child is learning in school and provide one-on-one tutoring.

• Communication: Maintain regular communication with administrative staff to ensure satisfaction of both parents and the child.

• Student Engagement: Communicate with students to understand their learning needs and create engaging, interactive learning experiences.

• Academic Support: Educate students on various subjects, assist with homework assignments and test preparation, and support understanding of numeracy and/or literacy concepts using the Ontario curriculum.

• Strategy Development: Develop and implement strategies tailored to students with learning disabilities and ADHD, focusing on enhancing academic skills and self-confidence.

• Progress Monitoring: Track and document student progress, providing feedback and adjusting methods as needed.

• Training and Development: Attend virtual training sessions and meetings as required to stay updated on best practices and program guidelines.

• Confidentiality: Ensure all student information and records are kept confidential and handled with care.

CLSM is seeking volunteers of all kinds for any area of the organization. Tell us your skill-set and interests and we will create a volunteer position tailored to you.  
We are also in need of volunteers to assist individuals with a developmental disability in being part of their community. e.g. going to Sports Plex,YMCA, library, and other community locations. You would assist individuals at their volunteer jobs in other non-profit locations.