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Volunteer Peer Counseling Program Volunteer Peer Counselors are people with disabilities who voluntarily offer their assistance to others with disabilities. They provide advocacy, information training, and emotional support. They serve as role models for others who have disabilities similar to their own.

Job Description | Qualifications | Responsibilities | Incentives | More Info | Becoming a Volunteer

Job Description

Volunteer Peer Counselors are people who have personal experience living with a disability. They serve as role models, companions, educators and advocates to our consumers.  Although not professional counselors, Volunteer Peer Counselors are well-trained in basic counseling skills and are committed to on-going education and personal growth. Volunteer Peer Counselors are people who understand living with a disability, having "been there."

Volunteer Peer Counselors help consumers explore there options given their available resources and formulate problem-solving plans. They also serve as informal counselors, offering consumers the opportunity to discuss issues surrounding relationships, feelings, attitudes, personal goals and individual rights.  Sometimes Peer Counselors help people learn independent living skills such as money management or various household skills. The goal of the Volunteer Peer Counselor is to help consumers cultivate independence, competence, self-confidence and self-esteem.

Qualifications    Volunteer Peer Counselors must:

• Have experience living with a disability
  
  Disabilities include, but are not limited to, orthopedic or neurological disabilities, chronic or terminal illnesses, psychiatric disabilities, cognitive or learning disabilities, recovery from substance abuse, deafness, hard of hearing, and blindness or visual impairments.  
  
  

• Participate in a training program
  
  

• Demonstrate an ability to listen, empathize, and accept others
  
  

• Demonstrate openness to receiving feedback and supervision
  

• Describe how they have met the challenge of a disability in a positive way during a formal interview process
  

• Make a 6-12 month commitment to the program
  

• Give two weeks' notice prior to termination  to allow time for graceful closure of relationships with consumers
  

We prefer Volunteer Counselors to have experience working and/or volunteering in a related field such as counseling, education, advocacy or social welfare. However, training will be provide to motivated applicants.

Responsibilities

• Meet regularly with consumers
  

• Advocate on behalf of consumers and promote self-advocacy
  

• Model for and train consumers in Independent Living Skills (ILS)
  

• Provide emotional support for consumers
  

• Provide feedback in the form of log sheets describing interactions with consumers
  

• Communicate with the coordinator of the program about problems or concerns
  

• Participate in an on-going support network with other Volunteer Peer Counselors
  

• May participate in making public presentations or otherwise marketing the Volunteer Peer Counseling Program
  

• May assist in training future Volunteer Peer Counselors
  

Incentives    As a Volunteer Peer Counselor, you will have a chance to:

• Give something back to the community
  

• Be useful to another individual in a meaningful way
  

• Sharpen skills, learn new information, face new challenges
  

• Make lifelong friendships
  

• Develop talents which compliment your educational or vocational goals
  

• Make a difference

Further Information

Volunteer Peer Counselors (VPCs) are supervised by the Community Coordinator at Independence, Inc.  They are required to keep the supervisor apprised of issues and concerns as they arise.

The Independent Living Skills (ILS) Trainers at Independence, Inc., often refer consumers to the VPC program. Counselors often work closely with the ILS Trainers to help consumers achieve their goals.

Counselors are not paid.  This is a volunteer position.

Becoming a Volunteer Peer Counselor (VPC)

• Candidates fill out an application and pick up a job description from the Community Coordinator
  
• Candidates provide two references
  
• Candidates are interviewed
  
• References are checked
  
• Post-interview feedback is offered
  
• Candidates complete training program
  
• Candidates must demonstrate competency in areas of listening skills, independent living philosophy and ethics before being matched with consumers
  
• Peer Counselors are supervised by the community Coordinator and participate in on-going networking meetings
  

Peer Counselor's Promise

• be patient
• be tolerant
• listen attentively
• protect confidentiality and trust
• foster mutual respect
• advocate for the rights of others
• inspire others to advocate for themselves
• be honest
• act within my role
• carry out my duties
• fulfill all promises
• make amends when I make a mistake
• maintain a sense of humor