Volunteering at a Glance: What to Expect as a New Volunteer

So, you’re thinking of becoming a volunteer with CoSA Ottawa?

Volunteering with Circles of Support and Accountability (CoSA) is not your typical volunteer gig. It’s meaningful, challenging, and deeply rewarding – and this post is your quick and friendly guide to what you can expect when you join a Circle.

You’ll Join a Small but Mighty Circle

Circles are made up of 2–3 trained volunteers, a Core Member (an individual reintegrating after being incarcerated for a sexual offence), and support from CoSA staff. Meetings typically happen bi-weekly, with weekly one-on-one check-ins in between. It’s important to remember that you’re not going in alone – new volunteers will be supported by senior volunteers and CoSA staff, both during meetings and in-between. Our goal is to integrate you into a community where you feel safe, supported, and empowered to make a difference.

“The training schedule and comprehensive selection process showed the seriousness and dedication towards Core Members. The continuing education sessions are invaluable when one becomes involved in a Circle experience” – Volunteer testimonial

Your Role: Support + Accountability

You’ll be a steady presence in someone’s life during a time of change. That could mean helping a core member build a routine, talk through challenges, set goals, or face tough truths.

You’ll listen, guide, encourage, and sometimes challenge. Your job isn’t to fix or rescue – but to walk alongside.

“When I first started volunteering with CoSA, I saw myself as someone my Core Member could get together with for a coffee, or someone they could talk to if they were feeling down. As time went on however, I learned just how much more of a lifeline CoSA was to him” – Volunteer testimonial

Training Has Your Back

Before jumping in, all volunteers complete orientation and training. You’ll learn about things like:

• Boundaries and confidentiality
• The psychology of sexual offending
• Restorative justice
• Trauma-informed communication

These topics will prepare you to make a real difference in a Core Members life and will provide you with knowledge to become a beacon of change, hope, and empowerment.

“… my volunteer ‘education’ has taught me how to empathize with all types of people; paved the way for social justice and restorative justice wherever possible and appropriate” – Volunteer testimonial

The Basics

Here’s a quick breakdown of what you’re committing to:

• One year of volunteering
• About 2 hours/week (a circle meeting + one-on-one meetings)
• Ongoing support and opportunities for training and connection

“I want to be part of a change that matters for future generations. Academia might have led me to CoSA, but the organization itself and the work it does for the community, the Core Members and its volunteers have given me an outlet to do good in the world. You can’t learn everything from a textbook and I’m grateful for the day I was sent an email about recruitment for CoSA and took a leap of faith” – Volunteer testimonial

Final Thoughts

Being a CoSA volunteer means showing up for someone who’s ready to change – and helping create a safer, more connected community in the process. To learn more or become a volunteer, visit our website.

Have questions? Email us at admin@cosa-ottawa.ca. Ready to apply? Easily apply through Vome.