North Simcoe Victim Services is currently looking for volunteers to help reduce the impact of crime and tragic circumstances in the community.
Volunteers of North Simcoe Victim Services help first responders on the scene to help people in need of emotional support says Mandy Davison, the volunteer coordinator who is transitioning into being the client service coordinator for the not-for-profit agency.
“We are a volunteer-based service, and we count on our volunteers to assist the public in their biggest time of need,” Davison explained.
“Volunteers help refer clients to local community resources and services, they can help provide immediate needs such as shelter, transportation, food, meals, getting people to and from a hospital, and they can help them get support from their families and support systems.”
To become a volunteer with North Simcoe Victim Services, a great deal of training is required.
“Volunteers are trained to provide emotional and practical support on the scene,” Davison explained.
“There is an interview process, and if you pass that then you go through training, and then there is an additional interview to see if you met our qualifications through training.”
With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic most of the training is online, but an in-person component will resume once it’s safe to do so.
Davison stresses that being a volunteer of North Simcoe Victim Services is difficult as volunteers often deal with tragedy and death.
“It is definitely something that requires you to be an individual that would be OK being faced with things like that. These people get called out to suicides and things like that, so you have to be a people person, a person who wants to help, and a caring and compassionate person,” she said.
“Empathy is really important, too, but we need people who can handle difficult situations and can take self-care.”
Although the volunteer job is difficult, it is also rewarding, Davison says.
“A lot of people find it very rewarding to help the community and help people on their worst days. We have a great staff and a great team to work with,” she said.
North Simcoe Victim Services is hoping to add about 20 applicants this year.
“We have to have our volunteers in order to function, and it’s so much more beneficial to have our volunteers to go out and help people, have a connection, and make people feel supported.”
To be a volunteer with North Simcoe Victim Services you must commit to doing three shifts a month for at least one year of service. Volunteers must be 21-years old and have a driver's licence, with access to a vehicle.
For more information about volunteering with North Simcoe Victim Services, click here.