Crisis Program Volunteer
Volunteers work alongside staff to support callers as they express and process intense emotions. We assess risk by exploring thoughts of suicide, threats of harm to others, and child safety concerns. We work collaboratively with callers to reduce immediate risk by developing a safety plan and connecting them with appropriate resources or emergency services if needed.
Requirements
- Must be 18+ years old.
- Not currently accessing counselling services through Klinic.
- Open and willing to learn in a collaborative group setting.
- Criminal Record Check (within 6 months) with Vulnerable Sector Search.
- Child Abuse and Adult Abuse Registry Checks (can be done through Klinic for free).
- Completion of Klinic Crisis Volunteer Training in a group setting (85 hours).
- Committing to a weekly 4-hour Crisis Room shift on the same day and time.
- Commitment of 200 hours of volunteer service.
What you will learn
- Trauma-informed, person-centred crisis counselling using active listening and brief counselling skills grounded in empathy and empowerment
- The Interpersonal Theory of Suicide
- Risk assessment & safety planning
- The impact of sexual violence and trauma
- Feminist and anti-oppressive perspectives as a foundation for practice.
- How to establish and maintain healthy professional boundaries
- Self-care in crisis work, including cultivating self-compassion and developing confidence in applying skills in practice
Your role
- Offer a compassionate presence for callers experiencing intense emotions
- Use empowerment-based practices that highlight callers’ strengths and respects their autonomy
- Integrate trauma-informed principles into every interaction and intervention
- Strengthen your interpersonal skills to develop empathy and build authentic connections with people from diverse communities
- Act as an Ally for others through respectful and inclusive practice
- Continuously examine personal biases to deliver equitable, culturally responsive support
- Recognize the ongoing impacts of colonialism on Indigenous peoples
- Self-care, empathy, and boundaries.
Training is 14 weeks (3.5 hours, twice weekly) in a group setting followed by 12 weeks of supervised hands-on experience on the crisis lines.
Training is provided in exchange of volunteers completing 200 hours of service in the crisis program.
Questions?
We’re happy to help. Reach out to us by:
Email: volunteerintake@klinic.mb.ca.
Phone: 204-784-4006.
Ready to apply?
Thanks for your interest in the Crisis Volunteer Program!
Applications for this program are currently paused so we can catch up. Please keep an eye on this page for future opportunities!