THUNDER BAY — Thunder Bay Counselling is looking to recruit volunteer mentors to work with at-risk youth.
The not-for-profit organization provides personal and workplace support services, and is governed by a 12-member volunteer board comprised of local residents.
It has put out a call for 25 individuals to help provide youth aged 12 to 17 with healthy coping strategies, through its upcoming social skills program called CHOICES.
"We cannot run the program without volunteer mentors," said Pia Heikkinen, CHOICES coordinator.
"We are looking for people from all walks of life who can give their time to our community's youth for a few hours during the day or in the evening."
Volunteers are provided with mandatory orientation and training. The training for programs that start in early October takes place on Saturday, September 22.
Mentors must be at least 19 years old, and must provide a police Vulnerable Sector Check
An announcement from Thunder Bay Counselling stated that mentors participate once a week for 10 weeks, encouraging youth in a group setting to think and act positively, and to feel more confident about choosing "the right direction in life".
Programs are offered in both school and community settings designed to provide youth with an opportunity "to talk openly about their concerns and worries in a safe environment," the announcement noted.
Clients come to the program through a variety of ways, including presentations during school visits by Thunder Bay Counselling staff. "We kind of sell the program, and then they can just come down to Student Services and sign up," Heikkinen said.
Volunteer mentors explore issues such as self-respect, goal-setting, decision-making, relationships and social media.
"We are not really looking for qualifications," Heikkinen said, "just a real strong passion in working and helping support youth."
