Job Description

Child Development Institute is seeking volunteer group facilitators (both male and female) within their Family Violence Services. The Here to Help (H2H) program is an early intervention group program for children who have been exposed to domestic/intimate partner violence and their mothers. The goals of the program are to assist the mothers and their children to heal from their experiences, reduce isolation, develop coping skills, and to prevent children from re-creating similar violence as adults.The program is currently offered on Thursday evenings in English, with the assistance of on-site interpretation, as needed. The ability to commit to the full session is a requirement. The ability to speak a second language would be an asset.Common questions from volunteers:What will I be doing?As a volunteer you would be considered a group facilitator (this is very hands on volunteering!) for a group of children (age ranges 4-6, 7-9, 10-12, teens) you will have an experienced co-facilitator and a manual from which to work so it is a very supportive environment and you will not be asked to run a group by yourself.Generally volunteers come at 5pm for a briefing before group of any updates, to set up for the program, and connect with their co-facilitators. At 6pm the families arrive, and we all have dinner together. At 6:30pm there is an interactive activity for both mothers and children facilitated by all group facilitators. Then at 7pm the mothers and children go off to their respective groups to do specific age-appropriate activities based on the weekly topics. At 8pm the families go home, facilitators clean up, have a small group discussion and then we meet as a larger group from 8:45pm - 9:45pm to debrief about each family, this is the most clinically interesting part of the evening. Lead facilitators then write their group notes on their own time, within the following 48 hours. An orientation and training materials are provided prior to group starting.Do I need any special qualifications?

• Vulnerable Sector Screening check is a requirement for this position
• Some experience or strong comfort level working with children (4-16yrs)
• Open to working with diverse families and staff
• Knowledge of and experience with the issues of Gender-Based violence and the effects of witnessing violence on children is an asset but not a requirement
• Strong desire to learn and grow in a dynamic and fun environment
• As a condition of a successful volunteer role, you are required to provide updated COVID vaccinations in compliance with CDI Mandatory Vaccination Policy.

When do you need volunteers?
The program runs twice per year:

• Fall Session - September/October
• Spring Session - March/April

Time Commitment:

• 5 hours per week
• Thursday nights
• 12 weeks

Powered by JazzHR

Child Development Institute