Crisis Responder

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For almost three decades, young people have been reaching out to Kids Help Phone for the support they need - but for every person we’ve been able to help, others have been unable to access our services. That’s why we are driven to remove and reduce barriers to access and support, and to create vital, innovative, and relevant new service offerings.

This fall, we will be launching a texting service trial, to help provide empathetic support to young people via SMS messaging. Right now, we are gearing up to train and recruit Crisis Responders who will answer texts from young people. The volunteer position is remote, meaning that Crisis Responders will be trained and will be able to support young people from anywhere in Canada as long as they have a strong, reliable internet connection!

The online training is 36 hours and will be completed over a period of six weeks. With respect to volunteers’ weekly commitment, Crisis Responders are asked to volunteer for 4 hours a week for at least one year.

Becoming a Crisis Responder is simple:

Step 1: Fill out the online application, which should take approximately 30 minutes.

Step 2: If selected for training, obtain and successfully get a Vulnerable Sector check (don’t worry, we will tell you how to do this!)

Step 3: Complete the 36-hour online training within six weeks

Step 4: Sign the Crisis Responder Agreement, which includes our Code of Conduct and Privacy Policy

Step 5: Take your first shift and start changing lives!

Once we review the applications, we’ll contact everyone we think will be a great fit as a Crisis Responder. If you are selected, we will send you the Crisis Responder Agreement as well as information on background checks and our training.

Training:

We are providing 36 hours of online training that volunteers can complete on their own time during a 6 week time period.

You can train from anywhere where you have a secure, reliable internet connection. In your PJs, at the kitchen table, or in your secret underground lair: whatever works for you!

Benefits:

The training will help equip you with the skills for active listening, responding with empathy, evaluating conversations for imminent risk, and safety planning (these are skills that may help in your personal relationships too!). Not only that, but you will be a superhero with a laptop or PC, ready to listen and support young people!

If this sounds exciting to you, please complete the online application at: https://kidshelpphone.formstack.com/forms/text_service_
crisis_responder_application

To learn more about the Crisis Responder Position, please visit our Crisis Responder website at: https://kidshelpphone.ca/texting-volunteers