Peer Outreach Program

With the assistance of volunteers who have personal experience with mental illness, the peer outreach program links people who are recovering from mental illness with one other. As a volunteer, you will meet the participant in a public setting, like a coffee shop, and converse with them about whatever interests them. The program supports participants' healing while also assisting them in regaining some of the social skills that pandemic isolation caused them to lose.

Role responsibilities: 

- Willingness to participate in peer outreach training on crisis management, peer support, and safety

- Make yourself available and show up for all assigned 1-2-1 Peer Outreach Volunteer shifts.

- Offer compassionate, strength-based, and person-centered care. Friend Support

- Utilize a database to plan neighborhood visits with participants. 

- Review and validate a transit schedule to ensure arrival on time or earlier - Record and enter the relevant program evaluation data and information

Required Skills:

- Personal lived experience with issues related to mental health, substance use, and/or addiction

- A level of recovery required to deliver mental health services efficiently to others

- Recognize the significance of peer support for the restoration of mental wellness.

- An objective awareness of the system and resources for mental health

- The capacity to continually exhibit professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality

- Strong written and verbal communication skills in English and/or French are required as well as the ability to function in a demanding and stressful environment 

- Must be able to successfully demonstrate dependability and reliability.

- You must own a cell phone (for program communication and safety only)

- Up-to-date and satisfactory criminal history, adult abuse registry, and child abuse registry checks

Time Commitment: 

The program offers a flexible schedule that is open weekend, weekdays, evenings, and mornings.