Circle Volunteer
Volunteer Types: Mentoring, Special events and festivals, Companionship/Visiting
Organization types: Poverty/Social Justice, Human Rights and Civil Liberties, Criminal Justice, Public/Society Benefit
Ongoing (more than a year)
Application Deadline: December 30, 2025
Posted on:
Description

Circles of Support and Accountability (CoSA) Ottawa is a community-based reintegration program, based on restorative justice principles – articulated by its twin mottoes: No More Victims and No One is Disposable – for people who have been incarcerated for committing sexual offences and are returning to the community. ‘Core Members’ participate in the program voluntarily and are committed to leading an offence-free life.

A ‘circle’ of two to three trained and screened volunteers (age 18+) are assigned to a Core Member and meet regularly as a group and 1on1 (for a minimum period of one year, which is renewable), helping the Core Member with reintegration issues, and challenging problematic thoughts and behaviours that may lead to relapsing.

What to Expect as a CoSA Ottawa Volunteer

Volunteers hold the core member accountable to help them avoid reoffending or breaching of legal conditions and to assist them in achieving their identified goals, by:

– Offering practical support by helping to secure essential needs (housing, employment, social assistance, community resources)
– Challenging problematic attitudes, behaviours, or choices
– Helping the core member follow their Self Management Plan
– Acting, at all times, as a mentor/role model to the Core Member
– Being aware of warning signs and informing staff and other circle members
– Being available should there be a crisis for the core member
– Focusing on the core member’s strengths (skills, talents, interests)

If you’re interested in being a part of this initiative, register for an upcoming training session, offered regularly! The sessions will take place by Zoom. Following these sessions, we will conduct volunteer screening (interview and references checked), and successful applicants will be required to obtain a Police Check (cost minimized for CoSA volunteers). Approved volunteers will then proceed to a final session and will be assigned to a circle when an opportunity arises, at which time the one-year term begins.

Attending the training does not obligate participants to become a circle volunteer – all are welcome to learn about CoSA!

How will this opportunity benefit the volunteer?
The volunteer will gain valuable experience providing support and accountability to a person released from prison by role-modelling pro-social behaviour and good decision-making. This allows volunteers (citizens) to be 'part of the solution!' Volunteers also receive: - Comprehensive training and ongoing support - A chance to connect with a diverse and dedicated community of volunteers - Personal growth and development in a supportive, collaborative environment
How will the organization benefit?
CoSA and the wider community benefit greatly from volunteers' contributions. When volunteers invest their time and effort with our clients, the core members' risk of relapsing (reoffending) is reduced, fulfilling our goal of No More Victims.
Volunteer location:
Our office is located at 211 Bronson Ave (Unit 236). However, our circle group meetings are held at a centrally-located church, and by virtual means.

Contact

Vanessa Morin
@Circles of Support and Accountability - Ottawa
613-266-6309
Time it will take to contact applicants:
​2-3-weeks

Details

This position would be great for: Young Adults (19-24), Seniors (65+), Adults
Number of Positions Available: 20
Good for people interested in: Mentoring, Special events and festivals, Companionship/Visiting
You will be helping with: Persons with disabilities or medical conditions, LGBTQI2+, Homeless, Disadvantaged, First Nations, Métis, Inuit, Indigenous persons, Seniors, Women, Men, Visible minorities or racialized persons

Volunteer Considerations

  • Police record check required
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