Volunteer (backup)

VOLUNTEER

BUILDING CAPACITY IN OUR COMMUNITY

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Calgary Outlink!

Applications are currently closed.

Peer Support Line Volunteers

Outlink has been piloting a non-crisis peer support phone line offering resources, information, and support to 2SLGBTQ+ community members in Calgary. This is a remote opportunity, so folks can volunteer right from home!

How it works:

Volunteers answer calls on their own phones. Calls come through our software, so don't worry, your phone number won't be given out to anyone! Volunteers will also be supporting through text and chat starting in April 2023. Support through text and chat will be done through the software. The support line operates Monday-Thursday from 5-9pm. Shifts are one hour long each. The requirement is two shifts (two hours) per week. If you're not able to fulfill this requirement but want to volunteer on the line, please contact Zak, the Manager of Volunteers and Programming, at zak@calgaryoutlink.ca. Volunteers are on-call for their shift and taking calls and responding to messages as needed. Debriefing is available either with Outlink staff or fellow volunteers if needed.

If you're interested in being a peer support line volunteer:

You are age 18+

You're a friendly human who wants to connect with, support, and hold space for fellow community members of various identities and backgrounds

You're comfortable supporting folks with various issues (you will receive training on these)

You're comfortable supporting someone through talking on the phone and typing or want to work towards being more comfortable

You can commit to volunteering with us for 9 months from April-December 2023 for 2 hours/week

You have consistent access to a phone and a device with an internet browser

You can attend a mandatory 27 hour training throughout the month of February 2023 *see note at bottom of page

Peer Facilitators

Peer facilitator volunteers run our peer support groups. Please see our Groups page for more information about the peer support groups we offer.

If you're interested in being a peer facilitator:

You are age 18+

You want to learn how to facilitate a group or want to build your facilitation skills

You want to contribute to supporting and holding space for 2SLGBTQ+ communities

You can commit to volunteering with us for 9 months from April-December 2023. Facilitation commitment will vary depending on which group you facilitate (between 2-5 hours/month)

Have access to the internet and a device with a camera and audio *see note below

You are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 *see note below

You are able to provide a police check with a vulnerable sector check if involved with our Inside Out Youth Group (we will cover the cost)

You can partake in a mandatory 27 hour peer support training in February 2023 *see note at bottom of page

*Groups are currently held online and in-person

*Facilitators who are running in-person groups are required to provide proof of vaccination against Covid-19

Peer Mentors

PROGRAM CHANGES:

The majority of our mentee spots are allocated to 2SLGBTQ+ and SOGIESC newcomers, immigrants, and refugees to Calgary; and racialized (BIPOC*) community members. Please keep this in mind as you're applying!

To find out more about our Mentorship Program, please click here.

If you are interested in being a mentor:

You’re age 25+

You can be a mentor for 6 months (April-September 2023) - if not matched this time you have the option of volunteering in another role at Outlink and/or re-applying in the future

You can partake in a mandatory 27 hour peer support training in February 2023*

You want to have a positive impact on someone’s life

You feel that you have good communication skills or are working at it

You consider yourself to be friendly and approachable

You’re willing to provide a police check with vulnerable sector search if mentoring a minor (we will cover the cost)

You will adhere to any COVID safety protocols in place through Outlink

*See note below about volunteer training

While we are seeking mentors of all diverse identities and backgrounds, we are looking for more applicants of the following (based on prior and current need):

Trans and non-binary folks who are open to sharing insight into identity, transitioning, and coming out
Gay/bi/pan/queer men who have experience with navigating identity and community
Folks who have navigated immigrating to Canada
Folks who are Black, Indigenous, and/or people of colour

*NOTE ABOUT VOLUNTEER TRAINING:

Volunteer training is 27 hours in total, and split up into multiple sessions. Sessions will be on some weeknight evenings and weekends. While training sessions are mandatory, we recognize that things may come up that are out of your control. If you miss two sessions, we will follow up with you, and you may be asked to re-evaluate your ability to commit to our volunteer program. Missing more than two sessions may result in you being asked to no longer participate in this round of our training program.

If you have any questions about our volunteer program, please contact zak@calgaryoutlink.ca.