Youth Educator Volunteer

Volunteer with the BC Crisis Centre! Be a part of a dynamic team making a difference in the lives of hundreds of youth in the Lower Mainland.

Spanning the spectrum of crisis support, suicide prevention, and postvention, the Crisis Centre of BC provides a variety of services and programs that educate, train, and support the strength and capacity of individuals and communities. Our organisational focus is to ensure timely access to non-judgmental, barrier-free and confidential support though our Crisis Line and Chats, as well as to destigmatize suicide and mental health concerns, and increase awareness and intervention skills within our local community.

Youth Educator Volunteers facilitate a 70 to 90-minute workshop for youth in grades 6 to 12 called Self-Care for Mental Health. Sessions may be presented in-person at elementary or high schools and youth-serving agencies in Vancouver, Burnaby, and North Vancouver, or virtually for schools outside of these areas.

Youth wellness workshops provide valuable resources for youth, encourage peer support, and help to reduce stigma relating to mental health and suicide by creating awareness and teaching practical tools.

Volunteer commitment: 2 half-days per month for 1.5 years (3 school semesters)

TO APPLY:

Go to our website (https://crisiscentre.bc.ca/volunteer/volunteer-youth-educator/ ) to register for a 90-minute online Information Session (please note, you are required to attend one Information Session in order to be considered for an interview).

Volunteer Requirements:

- Strong desire to work with youth
- Interest in / personal connection to the topic of mental health and suicide prevention
- Availability for all live training sessions (in-person at the Centre - subject to COVID-safety protocols)
- 4-6 hours of independent learning (online and self-paced)
- Completion of two half-days workshops: safeTALK & Skillfully Responding to Distress (flexible dates)
- Daytime availability for workshop delivery (school hours) - two outings per month required
- Minimum 1.5-year commitment (3 school semesters upon training completion)
- Willingness to travel throughout Vancouver, Burnaby and the North Shore; other Lower Mainland locations are optional
- Successful completion of a Criminal Record Check (once accepted for the role)
- Comfort with public speaking and group facilitation is an asset

What's in it for You?

- Comprehensive training and on-going support
- Opportunity to work interactively with youth in an educational capacity
- Real-world experience to enrich your public speaking and group facilitation
skills
- Join the community of compassionate Crisis Centre's volunteers
- Make a difference: build hope and resiliency among youth
- Reference letters (subject to completion of basic commitment)
- Free access to our Wellness Webinars, and discounted registration for the 2-day ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training).

youthworkshops@crisiscentre.bc.ca