Mpowerment Fraser West Core Group Volunteer

YouthCO is a youth led HIV and Hep C organization that seeks to reduce the impact of stigma related to HIV and Hep C throughout BC through peer support, education, and meaningful community engagement. Informed by our values, the work we do at YouthCO is anti-oppressive, innovative, sex-positive and youth-driven!

THE MPOWERMENT FRASER WEST PROGRAM

Mpowerment Fraser is a space for queer and trans young people ages 16 to 30 years old to meet, have fun and support each other in making informed decisions about our sexual health!

We host events in Burnaby, New West, Surrey, & surrounding areas!

We are committed to reducing stigma related to HIV and to building communities where we feel safe talking about the highs and lows of sex, drugs, relationships and all the things that bring us pleasure.

***COVID 19 UPDATES***

This is a volunteer opportunity that aims to build community and relationship with queer and trans youth in the Fraser West region. We are currently working with the provincial covid-19 guidelines to ensure that all volunteers are comfortable and safe with how we operate this cycle of core group, and that meaningful connections and relationships are being built through this program. Some portions of this program may take place in person depending on this these decisions and guidelines. We will ensure that the decision we made is one that reflects the wants, needs, and safety of all volunteers involved.

THE ROLE

Core Group volunteers are key to the work that we do at Mpowerment, and we are so excited to be recruiting volunteers to the group in the Fraser West area. Supported by the Mpowerment Fraser West Program Coordinator, Core Group volunteers will have the opportunity to be involved in planning, promoting and co-facilitating Mpowerment events including socials, workshops, outreach events and discussion nights.

Socials include movie nights, picnics in the park, board games, dinner nights, bowling, karaoke, VR nights, nature walks, art gallery visits, parties and much more!

Workshops and discussion nights explore a range of topics including relationships, hooking up, dating, gender expression, stigma, STIs, coming out, pleasure, harm reduction, self-care, and consent.

Outreach events include the annual Pride season, visiting high schools, colleges, and universities, or handing out posters and supplies at local queer events, bars and drop-in centers.

CORE GROUP BENEFITS & HONORARIUM

An honorarium of $200 will be provided to volunteers, distributed in $50 amounts monthly between September and December 2020. Full participation at our training and volunteer meetings is the minimum requirement for receiving an honorarium.

Through our ongoing training and peer mentorship, Core Group volunteers will build event planning, peer support, facilitation and outreach skills. Volunteers will also deepen knowledge of sexual health, anti-oppression and strategies for resisting stigma in our communities.

CORE GROUP VOLUNTEER EXPECTATIONS

1. Complete our training weekend - dates announced soon!
2. Commit to volunteering at two events between September and December
3. Attend all monthly volunteer meetings:

• September 17th (Thursday) – in person orientation | 6:30PM – 8:30PM | Metrotown area (location TBD)

• October 15th (Thursday) | 6:30PM – 8:30PM | Zoom

• November 12th (Thursday) | 6:30PM – 8:30PM | Zoom

• *Volunteer Appreciation* December 10th (Thursday) | 6:30PM - 8:30PM

We are looking for young people who are...

•  Queer or trans youth
• Between the ages of 16 and 30
• Living in or connected to the Fraser West region (Burnaby, New West, Surrey, Coquitlam, Langley)
• Able to attend Core Group meetings and Mpowerment events throughout the Fraser West region.
• Committed to putting YouthCO’s values and approaches into practice.
• Available to commit to our Core Group volunteer expectations listed above, including Core Training

ACCESSIBILITY

At this point, most Core Group activities will be taking place online, using our virtual meeting platform - Zoom. To participate, we will need access to a device connected to the internet with display, sound and mic capabilities like a laptop, desktop with headphones or a smartphone. YouthCO may be able to help us borrow or access a device, and/or internet to support our participation in this program. Please let us know in the form if this is something you need.

We are happy to have a conversation about how we can make Core Group more accessible. If there are ways we can help make Core Group more accessible for your specific needs, please let us know in the form or by emailing Bill at [email protected].

Interested in this opportunity? Application deadline: Thursday August 27th, 2020 @9PM

Apply now!