Volunteers

Volunteers are the heart of Island Community Justice Society - the key to our success. Volunteers come to the Agency from many walks and at various stages of their lives. All share a true interest in helping victims and redirecting youth.

Elise Campbell

Coordinator of Volunteers

(902)563-2598

elisecampbell@eastlink.ca

Role Of The Volunteer

• To support and encourage youth who participate in Island Community Justice Society's programs as a consequence of criminal activity
• To support and provide activity updates to victims who have been referred to the restorative justice process
• To chair meetings for youth who have been referred to the Community Service Order Program
• To chair/co-chair conflict resolution meetings as part of restorative justice services
• To co-facilitate youth competency building workshops
• To work as a reintegration mentor with youth who are returning to the community post incarceration
• To be a community resource for Island Community Justice Society and its services for youth in conflict with the law

Minimum Requirements

All volunteers must:

• Be at least 19 years of age
• Show a true interest in helping youth/victims who have been harmed by youth criminal activity
• Successfully complete the Volunteer Training Program
• Take an oath of confidentiality

Volunteers must also successfully complete a screening process which includes:

• Personal interview
• Child Abuse Register check
• C.P.I.C. (Canadian Police Information Centre) check
• Two personal written references

Opportunities For The Volunteer

• To play a major role in restoring harmony in the community which has been damaged by youth criminal activity
• To acquire valuable life and employment skills as the result of training and service delivery, i.e., victim empathy, adolescence interviewing, dialogue, conflict resolution, reporting
• To experience a personal feeling of accomplishment as a result of reaching out to others at a difficult time in their lives

Volunteer Training Program Outline

The Volunteer Training Program has been designed to enable volunteers to increase their level of responsibility in stages. This approach equips the volunteer to become experienced and comfortable in one role prior to entering advanced training blocks. Personal interest and capabilities will serve as guiding factors when determining timelines for individual advancement.

Training consists of a combination of informative, experiential workshops and observing/participating in actual youth justice services. This process prepares volunteers for roles in Island Community Justice Society's programs, - i.e., Youth Supervisor, Victim Support Volunteer, Community Service Order Meeting Chairperson, Family Group Conference Facilitator, Youth Education Workshop Co-Facilitator.

Topics covered include:

• Overview of the justice system
• Island Community Justice Society Programs (including Restorative Justice processes showing four entry levels, allowable offences, types of services available, etc)
• Communication skills
• Conflict resolution approaches, interviewing, dialogue
• Power imbalances
• Facilitation protocols
• Adolescence and deviance/criminogenic factors
• Victim issues awareness
• Community resources for youth and victims