Peer Mentor (Bridge (The), Halton, From Prison to Community)

Peer Mentor

(Bridge (The), Halton, From Prison to Community)

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Position ID: V-HVC0579

Last Full Update: 11 Sep 2019

Opportunity Details

Contact

Bonnie Barlow, Community Engagement Coordinator, The Bridge Halton; Phone: 905-379-5627 * 905-634-2867; Email: community.engagement@halton-bridge.ca

Duties

The Bridge Halton Allyship Program has two different streams:
1. COMPANION
A companion does not require personal experience with the justice system. Companion’s become an ally by providing support to program participants as they reintegrate into the community.

2. PEER MENTOR
A peer mentor is someone who has lived experience with the justice system and wishes to use that experiential knowledge to provide peer support to program participants.

Peers and companions will meet with program participants in the community once a week for a minimum of an hour. There will be "check-ins" and "check-outs" with the volunteer coordinator. There will be a monthly meeting for volunteers to get together and debrief their volunteer experience.

Peers and companions support program participants with their reintegration goals and do not perform counselling or case management duties. Peers and companions will support clients to be independent and provide guidance when a program participant is struggling. The only difference between the two roles is a peer has experiential knowledge and a companion does not have that lived experience. Therefore, the dynamic of the relationship will be slightly different. However, both roles are equally important to help program participants reintegrate back into the community and reduce the barriers of oppression.

Benefits

Help decrease stigma, minimizing isolation and reduce the barriers of oppression.
Help to make the community safer and more inclusive.
This position is a great way to get involved in the community and give back to someone who is in need of support and guidance.
Peers will benefit by providing meaning and purpose for their lived experience and improved ability to cope with distress. Peers will also have increased hope and empowerment, skill development and increase self-efficacy

Clients

Men over the age of 18, who have had contact with the justice system at some point in their life.
Criminalized men may be living with concurrent disorders, trauma and chronic homelessness.

Ages

20 year(s) - 70 year(s)

Suitable for OSSD

Suitable For

Adults (18+) ; Seniors (55+) ; Post-secondary students

Areas of Interest

Counselling ; Legal & Law Services / Justice / Probation ; Life Skills Support ; Mental Health / Addictions ; Mentorship / Leadership ; Social Interaction

Skills/Experience

Communication & Interpersonal Skills ; Confidentiality ; Friendly & Outgoing ; Leadership ; Legal Skills ; Listening Skills ; Mentoring & Training ; Patience ; Positive / Cheerful Demeanor ; Self-Motivated / Work Independently ; Lived experience with addiction, mental health and the justice system are an asset.

Commitment Length

Medium Term (4 months to 1 year) - 6 months to 1 year ; Long Term - Applicants are able to volunteer after a year

Interaction Level

One-on-one ; Small Group

Minimum Hours

1 / Week

Dates and Times

This would be decided between the peer mentor or companion and the program participant.

Seasons

Year Round

Accessibility

Fully Accessible

Location

In the community in Halton or meet with clients at the Burlington office 460 Brant St. Unit 209

Number of Positions

Burlington: 15 individual(s)

15 individual(s) needed in total.

Training

Orientation ; Training is provided ; Training on-going

Transportation

Near public transit ; Car required ; Peer mentors and companions will meet with a program participant once a week in the community and will need reliable transportation to get there.

Police Check

Required

Additional Requirements

We accept volunteers who have a criminal background.

Agency Details