Sources Community Resource Society

 SOURCES Peer Support Program

Drop-In Community Resource Hub Volunteer

 

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 where we emulate acceptance, compassion, and empathy to those we serve. 

 

The Drop-In Program is a new service operating every Wednesday with a mission 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 in providing guidance and connection to resources at our low barrier service hub.   This is part of a larger program that also includes showers, overdose prevention services, harm reduction services and connection to resources, of which volunteers may also 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 and 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 before first volunteer shift.  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 possess an ability to take initiative, accept direction and work effectively both 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 a variety of individuals while maintaining a professional demeanour and firm professional boundaries.
• Ability to exercise good judgement in a demanding and continually changing work environment.
• Willingness to secure a Criminal Record Check (at no cost to Sources volunteers).  All positions have been designated by Sources Community Resource Society as requiring a Criminal Records Review prior to an applicant being employed in this capacity.  Certain police records may preclude the appointment to certain positions. 

 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

 

• Serve refreshments for approximately 20-30 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 space 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 fostering a culturally non-judgemental and anti-stigma environment.
• Debrief with Manager of Overdose Prevention Services and Peer Support Services regularly.
• Ensure a culturally safe and non-judgemental 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 the rights, dignity and confidentiality of all clients are maintained.
• Ensure the health and safety of all clients in the course of working with them.

 

TIME COMMITMENT:

 

• Every Tuesday or Wednesday at different locations.
• Various shifts are available:

             

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

            9:30 am – 2:30 pm (5-6 volunteers), or

            11:30 am – 2:30 pm (2-3 volunteers).

 

• 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.  By bridging the gap between vulnerable populations and the public as a whole, we create a community of connection and growth.  We invite you to be part of that growth.