Smartpo 2007-9-13 15:37
Volunteers needed for Windsor distress centre
Volunteers needed for Windsor distress centre
The Windsor Star
Published: Sunday, August 19, 2007
The Distress Centre of Windsor-Essex County is looking for volunteers to provide emotional support and emergency crisis intervention to about 3,000 people who seek help every year.
Distress Centre executive director Rukshini Ponniah said she's noticed a slight increase in the number of callers over the past few months, possibly fuelled by Windsor's lagging economy, job losses and layoffs.
"We need people who are good listeners and non-judgmental," she said. "We don't give advice. We listen to people and provide them with community resources."
Volunteers must participate in training, which will begin in October, and be willing to work a minimum of 16 hours per month over a period of 12 months.
The Distress Centre is looking for candidates over the age of 19 who are capable of working in a stressful environment. Ponniah said experience is not necessary.
She said a large number of volunteers are university and college students from social services, psychology and criminology programs, but people of all ages and backgrounds are welcome to apply.
Ponniah said the Distress Centre will be sending out packages to employers in the automotive industry so that people can be made aware of the confidential services available.
"Unfortunately, not a lot of people are aware of our existence in the community, so we're hoping to raise our profile."
Anyone interested in volunteering at the Distress Centre should call 519-256-5000 between 12 p.m. and 12 a.m. and leave their contact information or e-mail [email]support@dcwindsor.com[/email].
Smartpo 2007-10-4 13:52
This one from Windsor Star
