Showing posts with label Volunteer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Volunteer. Show all posts

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Summer Training Opportunity!

 
Check out this amazing opportunity to do a condensed version of our training
 (same hours, just done in 7 days!)
 
Apply to be a volunteer with the Distress Centre of Ottawa & Region today at
 

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Benefit Concert

If you're in the Ottawa area, and love live music, while helping out a not-for-profit company - this post is for you!

This Friday night, November 30th at the Elmdale Tavern, there is an acoustic showcase benefit concert, in memory of Janet Vachon, and in support of the Distress Centre of Ottawa & Region (us!)

One of our volunteers, Jessica, has been organizing this show, and has put together an awesome array of local musicians such as:

  • Apocalypstic
  • Claudia Acoustic
  • Tenaj
  • Tara Holloway
  • Fiona Noakes

I wanted to hear why Jessica decided to host this event, and this is what she said:

"I chose to create the Acoustic Showcase Benefit Concert for many reasons. The event is close to my heart because it is in memory of a dear friend who was part of the music community. It also combines the talents of 5 bands in Ottawa showcasing their music. All bands have a significant connection to the cause in one way or another and we are hoping to raise awareness and money to support the efforts of the Distress Centre to help people in crisis. I also believe music is a beautiful way we can bring a community together to support each other and remember that we are not alone."

Cover is $10 at the door, and the doors open at 8:30pm.  We hope to have a full house for the showcase - to both honor the passing of Janet Vachon, and to support the Distress Centre. 

Hope to see you all there!

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Volunteering in Mental Health - Conference

You're invited!

On November 24th, from 8:30am-4:00pm, join the Distress Centre of Ottawa & Region at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre for our 2nd Annual Mental Health Volunteer Conference!

This is a one-of-a-kind volunteer initiative, where you can connect with service providers in the field of mental health, and engage with other who are equally committed to excellence in volunteerism.

This conference has been created specifically for volunteers in Ottawa who are involved in various aspects of mental health support.  We've organized what we think promises to be a day full of interactive workshops and presentations from community agencies and leaders in the mental healh field. 

An amazing schedule of speakers, starts right at 9:00, and will feature presentations on giving the gift of our time, understanding adolescent drug use, supporting abused women, anxiety disorders, men's rage & violence, dementia, home visit response, psychosis, addiction, youth & self harm, and all will be a selection of breakout sessions, chosen by your preference of which to attend!

Lunch is provided for all attendees, and will be an hour break in the day to regroup, just in time to see a play entitled "Voices" by Hannah Brunsdon.  "Voices" is about a young women's experience with grief, depression and suicide.  The show features the voices in the main character's head.  Hannah Brunsdon wrote "Voices" when she was in Grade 9, a year before she became sick with depression and anxiety.

The 2nd Annual Mental Health Volunteer Conference is now open for registration, and has limited space available!  Registration fee is $75.00, and interested individuals can register here: http://www.regonline.com/volunteerconference .

We hope to see lots of you come out for this amazing day of information, for people who are simply passionate about their volunteering lives!

For more information, you can call the Distress Centre of Ottawa & Region office at 613-238-1089!


Wednesday, October 10, 2012

World Mental Health Day

Today is World Mental Health Day.

A day where we all take a second to think about what mental health means to us.

Maybe you've been affected by someone who has committed suicide.

Perhaps you know someone who is dealing with depression.

Is there a soldier in your life who has Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?

Quite possibly, you know someone who is in an abusive relationship.

You witness office bullying on a daily basis, and see how it affects the person on the receiving end.

You yourself, are depressed, dealing with anxiety, are bi-polar, or simply, you need someone to talk to.

The Distress Centre of Ottawa & Region is proud to be a part of various communities, and with over 200 volunteers answering our phones, we are so very fortunate. 

We participate in charity fairs, community presenations, we educated workplaces, we provide free training to our volunteers.  We're also a not-for-profit organization, funded in part by the United Way of Ottawa - which we are so thankful for. 

We answered over 39,000 confidential calls last year, of people experiencing distress in their lives. 

If you need someone to talk to, and you're in the City of Ottawa, counties of Prescott-Russell, SD&G, Renfrew, Grey-Bruce, Outouais, please call us. 

613-238-3311

We're here to help.  Take time to better your mental health today.

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Volunteers Are Always Needed!

Did you know that our phone lines are run completely by volunteers?  24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, volunteers are answering the calls from our community.  We get calls from people who have had a bad day at work, people who are dealing with relationship problems, have suffered a tragedy in the lives, and calls from people who are contemplating suicide.

We're always recruiting, training, and developing volunteers for the Distress Centre. 

Currently, we're accepting applications for our January 2013 training classes.  What a great New Year's Resolution for 2013 - deciding to make a difference in the lives of others. 

To apply to be a volunteer, you'll need to fill out our Volunteer Application Form, provide us with a Police Record Check, and three references. 

The Distress Centre has volunteers that come from all walks of life.  They are united by their desire to help their community and provide a lifeline to those in need.  Those who get the most out of volunteering are emotionally mature, calm and empathetic individuals.

Do you have the willingness to listen and provide non-judgmental support?  Are you able to commit to three (3) shifts per month, including an overnight shift, for one year?  Are you applying at a point in your life where you have not experienced any major upheavals or life stressors? 

As a volunteer, you can expect an amazing, 59 hour training session, done by our expert trainers in where you'll be taught active listening, stress and crisis management.  You will also attend a 2-day LivingWorks ASIST suicide intervention workshop.  You'll be provided with a comprehensive training manual. 

As mentioned before, as a new volunteer, we expect you a 1 year commitment or 144 total hours, which breaks down to 24 daytime or evening shifts (2 per month) and 12 overnight shifts (1 per month).  The 1 year commitment is based on the fact that are providing the training, workshops and ongoing education services free of charge to our volunteers in order to give them the necessary tools and skills they will need once they are on the lines.  Our commitment to each other is what will ensure the longevity and success of the Distress Centre.

Shifts are scheduled according to your schedule!  We work around you time! 

Being a volunteer is incredibly rewarding

"Being a Distress Centre volunteer has helped me realize how similar we all are. Over a lifetime, we all experience stresses and we should not have to always face these difficulties alone. I have witnessed time and again the benefits that arise from talking about an issue with someone who really listens to your concerns. I believe in the Distress Centre's impact and this is why I volunteer"

If you're interested in becoming a volunteer with the Distress Centre of Ottawa, apply today at www.dcottawa.on.ca and watch what a difference you can make in our community!







          Tuesday, September 25, 2012

          Monthly Donations

          If you weren't aware, the Distress Centre of Ottawa & Region is a Not-For-Profit organization.  This means, that with the assistance of our donors, and community supporters, we are able to continue on with what we do here at the centre.

          A great way to suppor the Distress Centre of Ottawa & Region, is by becoming a Monthly Donor - especially if making a lump sum donation isn't in your budget.

          Some of the benefits to becoming a Monthly Donor include, but are not limited to:
          • Ability to spread out your donations by making smaller contributions over the year.  If you're able to spare $5 a month, you'll donate $60 over the year.  Double that to $10 a month, and you've donated $120 for the year.  If 250 people donated $10 a month, we would raise $30,000 in a year!

          • Smaller gifts make it easier to incorporate into your budget. 

          • Easy initial set up!  You can either contact our office directly to set-up your monthly giving schedule by calling 613-238-1089 x 223 or you can set it up yourself online at www.CanadaHelps.org

          • Donating will also give you a break on your income tax return.  You'll receive one consolidated receipt from your donations to the Distress Centre of Ottawa & Region in preparation for your tax return.

          • Your donation is confidential on our end.  We will never trade, sell, or rent your contact information, or make your personal information available to other organizations.

          • With your donation, you will automatically receive our bi-annual newsletter entitled "On-Call" where you will see what's going on at the Distress Centre, and how your donation has helped us.

          • You'll also receive advanced notice for all upcoming Distress Centre events, such as the delicious Festival of Chocolate!

          Thank you for taking the time to consider setting up a monthly donation to the Distress Centre of Ottawa & Region!


          Thursday, September 20, 2012

          Estate Donations

          As we age, we start thinking about how to take care of our families after we've passed, and how to leave a little something of ourselves behind with services we've cared about.

          When writing your Will, you can request a Charitable Estate Donation to be made on your behalf to the charity of your choosing.  No one ever wants to actually write their Will, but it's very important to make sure your Estate is going where you would want it to go.

          Making a Charitable Estate Donation is a way of giving back to your community.  Choosing the Distress Centre of Ottawa & Region as your charity of choice, will help keep the centre doing what we do best - helping those in crisis.

          You can choose to have a bequest in your Will that a certain amount of dollars, goes towards your charity.  The executor of your WIll will see that this gets done with your Lawyer.

          Another option is if you have a life insurance policy, that you can choose to put a percentage of the policy towards your charity of choice.  It can be as little as 1% all the way to 100%.  Donating part or all of your life insurance policy can substantially increase the amount your charity of choice actually gets. 

          You can choose to have an RSP go directly to the charity.

          There are many options available to you when preparing your Will, and you should always seek out the advice of a professional at a bank, or your lawyer.  Discussing your wishes with either or both of these professionals will ensure that your wishes are fufilled. 

          When choosing your charity, ensure that they are a registerd charity.

          We hope that you'll consider donating to the Distress Centre of Ottawa & Region, when planning you Will.  Our charitable number is 10807 9815 RR0001.