People who indicate an interest in becoming crisis support volunteers will be screened by VS-LC before being accepted for training. Preferred character qualities include:

adependability

 

aability to respond to calls quickly

amaturity (18 years or older)

aresourcefulness

 

aability to help victims with practical , physical, and emotional support

astability in fulfilling commitments

aability to take direction

agood judgment

acalmness in dealing with crisis

aability to put the needs of others first

anon-judgmental in dealing with a variety of people and situations

aability to maintain confidentiality

aempathy

aknowledge of different languages and cultures is considered an asset

aa value base that is compatible with VS-LC

Individuals are recruited from the community and it is expected that they will successfully meet each of the following requirements prior to being accepted for volunteer training:

Complete volunteer application form

Have access to an automobile

Possess a clear driving record and valid driver’s license

Attend an interview by a panel or committee

Consent to a release of information enabling police to perform criminal records checks and vulnerable sector screening to obtain clearance

Provide three references – one family and two from other sources (employment, volunteer, or friend)

Candidate should have nothing before the courts

Candidate should not have been victimized in the last year

If these requirements are successfully met, the screening committee will select individuals to be accepted into the crisis support volunteer training program, reminding the volunteer candidate of the following:

The evaluation of individual volunteer skills and suitability to crisis support work is an ongoing process throughout training and after graduation.

Acceptance into training is not a guarantee of graduation. The candidate must meet all of the expectations and criteria of a VS-LC crisis support volunteer mandated training standard for VS-LC Crisis Support Volunteers.

Succesful completion of a three month probationary period and responding to at least one call.

Volunteer follows all policies and procedures as outlined in the VS-LC Policies and Procedures Manual (posted in the Volunteer Portal).  Click here for the full Volunteer Application Package.