CoSA Support Volunteer

Circles of Support and Accountability (CoSA) offers a caring community around people with violent and sexual offending histories, who are at high risk of harming themselves or others. CoSA is seeking volunteers who can commit to a weekly 1-2 hour meeting with a circle (participant, staff, and volunteers), focusing on support and accountability for the participant.
Volunteers should expect to:
-Learn about participant needs, strengths and risk factors
-Facilitate open and honest dialogue
-Model healthy, accountable relating in accordance with a signed circle agreement and CoSA principles
-Support the core member in practicing healthy behaviours and in seeking outside help for needs beyond the circle's capacity including addictions, mental health, learning disabilities, etc.
-Support the core member in addressing practical needs, such as strategizing ways to secure income or housing
-Respect confidentiality

-Committed to learning about, and working within, a restorative justice context
-Ability to maintain clear boundaries
-Capacity to problem-solve, learn from, and make decisions as part of a team
-Empathic and non-judgmental
-Good interpersonal and communication skills and an ability to be constructive
-Ability to be proactive but also seek support when needed
-Willingness to learn practical approaches for facilitating discussions
-Ability to accept guidance, supervision and support from, and communicate with staff
-Willingness to participate in on-going skills development
-Reliable and consistent
-Recognition of interacting issues of settler colonialism and the judicial system in Canada

-3 mandatory trainings focused on post-incarceration support of individuals:

• Introduction to CoSA


• Community Integration


• Understanding Sexual Assault Trauma

-Additional learning opportunities may be provided in areas such as sexual offending, child abuse and trauma, victim perspectives, stages of change, and understanding institutionalization
-Volunteers receive regular support and debriefs with staff, and opportunities for additional connecting with other volunteers

CoSA circles meet for 1-2 hours weekly and we ask for a minimum one year commitment once you are placed in a circle.

• Online Application Form Below
• Email: cosawpg@initiativesjc.org (Include Opportunity ID)
• Phone: 431-688-2642
• In Person
• Online: www.initiativesjc.org/wpblog/cosa/