Become A Volunteer Mentor

Who We Are:

Abbotsford Restorative Justice and Advocacy Association (ARJAA) has been a part of the fabric of the Abbotsford community for over 20 years. A non-profit organization that engages conflict outside of the traditional court system, ARJAA is vitally concerned with finding innovative ways to impart restorative values and practices to our community. Actively applying the restorative justice lens of crime viewed as harm done to people and relationships, rather than the breaking of laws, ARJAA strives to repair harm, restore relationships, rebuild trust, and, in doing so, transform the community of Abbotsford.

The Opportunity:

We are seeking individuals with a passion for bettering their communities to join our volunteer team as a Volunteer Mentor. Reporting directly to ARJAA’s Restorative Mentoring Coordinator, the Volunteer Mentor works with young people who have participated in a restorative process with ARJAA. The Volunteer Mentor serves as a consistent and positive role model responsible for planning one-to-one activities that will provide the youth with opportunities to experience success and achievement.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develops a supportive relationship with a young person who is involved in a restorative justice process by engaging them in different activities in the community.

• The volunteer mentor will help support the young person during the time that the youth needs to complete their conference agreement. 

• The volunteer mentor also serves as a consistent and positive role model who plans activities that will provide the young person with opportunities to experience success and achievement.

Qualifications and Experience Required:

• Demonstrated ability to respectfully communicate with people across cultures, ranges of ability, genders, ethnicities, and races

• Must demonstrate the capacity to be a consistent and positive adult role model and encourage pro-social values

• Operates with integrity

• Comfortable managing conflict

• Ability to accept and apply feedback

• Be self-directed, willing to take initiative, and detail-oriented

• Respect and maintain confidentiality of ARJAA’s clients, volunteers, partners, and donors

• A desire to learn

• Reliable and punctual

• Willingness to be flexible with schedule

• Must be 19 years of age of older to be assigned to a youth who is 14 years old or younger; or

• Must be 21 years of age of older to be assigned to a youth who is older than 14 years of age

• Completion of enhanced security clearance by the Abbotsford Police Department (APD)

Commitment:

The volunteer position of a Volunteer Mentor is a vital role within ARJAA. Each match works with youth in various states of vulnerability and as such, any mentor has a responsibility to ensure that they are well trained. Below are the training and time commitments for a successful mentor.

• Must be prepared to make a commitment of at least six hours per month for one year or longer

• Required to complete Mentor Training

• Commitment to attend at least 75% of ongoing training sessions provided for emerging issues

At ARJAA, our vision is to provide opportunities to repair harm, restore relationships, rebuild trust and transform community. Each volunteer has the opportunity to do that on a grassroots level-with one person, one mentorship relationship at a time. Each match brings the possibility for transformation of people and relationships, two components that are essential to our ability to continually change our community for the better.

Benefits of Volunteering With ARJAA:

Certificate upon completion of Mentor Training

Certificate upon completion of additional professional development trainings

Letter of recommendation, provided the mandatory time commitment and training has been completed

Enhanced conflict mediation skills

Hands on experience in facilitation

Opportunity to work with at risk youth

Application Process:

To apply, please contact Denisa Dyck, Restorative Mentoring Coordinator at mentoring@arjaa.org