Description

Mentoring is a method of passing on lived experiences to support another caregiver in an empowering and meaningful way. Anyone who has been a caregiver will know that the caregiving role presents many challenges. These challenges will be different for every caregiver and from time to time support will be needed.

Purpose: To participate in the Ontario Caregiver Organization’s 1:1 Peer Support Program as a Peer Mentor, delivering emotional support to other caregivers as they navigate their caregiving journey.

Responsibilities
• Be familiar with OCO’s mission, vision and programs and supports
• Facilitate peer support programs in a confidential, non-judgmental and friendly atmosphere
• Expertly guide conversations that allow caregivers to meet others with similar and dissimilar caregiving experiences
• Offer support and guidance on matters that help caregivers in their journey
• Provide feedback on OCO’s programs and resources that can help shape the ongoing delivery of OCO’s support and resources for caregivers
• Maintain confidentiality on sensitive issues as per OCO’s confidentiality agreement
• Communicate in a timely matter any concerns or issues to OCO staff liaison
• Follow all policies and procedures outlined in OCO’s volunteer handbook
• Understand and accept the roles and responsibilities of the peer support program
• Successfully complete all peer mentor training

Qualifications
• Caregiver who is currently or has previously provided physical and/or emotional support to a family member, partner, friend or neighbor
• Passionate about and committed to ensuring all caregivers in Ontario feel supported and valued
• Possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrate maturity, comfort and understanding around the caregiver process, its challenges and issues
• Ability to read people and situations (i.e. when to talk, when to listen, when to offer input, etc.)
• Experience working without supervision in situations that require critical thinking and flexibility in how and when to respond
• Be comfortable working with a wide variety of people
• Have a positive, caring and non-judgmental approach to supporting others
• Be emotionally able to provide support to others
• Ability to constructively participate in discussions with people of different backgrounds and experiences
• Must be over 18 years of age

Commitment: We ask all interested candidates to commit to participating in the program for a minimum of one year. We ask for a time commitment of 1-2 hours a week. As part of our screening, Peer Mentors are required to complete a reference check and a Criminal Records Check.

Support
• Orientation and training for this position will be provided
• Staff will maintain on-going supervision, support and regular ‘check-ins’

The Ontario Caregiver Organization invites caregivers with diverse backgrounds from across Ontario to join our 1:1 Peer Support Program as a Peer Mentor. We are actively recruiting bilingual or multilingual caregivers who are fluent in English and other languages, and caregivers with experience caring for a spouse or child.