Caledon/Dufferin Victim Services, a crisis response service, is recruiting community volunteers for the annual spring training to be offered in April and May.

The agency provides the "train the trainer" education enabling community volunteers to provide the front line, 24 hour on-call service to residents of, or those affected by, crime and tragedy in the Town of Caledon and the County of Dufferin.

Approximately 55 Crisis Support Volunteers work closely with police and other emergency services, providing short-term emotional support, practical assistance, telephone follow up contact and information.

In 2008, our staff and crisis support volunteers responded to more than 1900 calls for service following such occurrences as domestic violence, personal\ family crisis, serious motor vehicle collisions and fatalities, property crimes and industrial accidents.

Potential crisis support volunteers are screened and interviewed. Applicants must be able to cope under duress in crisis situations and demonstrate strong communication skills. Prospective candidates must be at least 23 years of age, possess a valid driver's license, maintain appropriate auto insurance and have access to a vehicle. Applicants are required to consent to a release of information giving police the authority to obtain a clear criminal record check. Twenty- five applicants will be selected and offered the opportunity to participate in agency training.

The mandatory 40 hours of training takes place over a two and a half week period, during evening hours and on one Saturday.

Interesting training topics include crisis intervention, domestic violence, sexual assault, elder abuse, property crimes, effective communication skills, grief and bereavement, large scale community response, mental health and volunteer safety.

Interested applicants may obtain more information about Caledon\ Dufferin Victim Services on their website at www.cdvs .ca .

Applications are available on line or at the Victim Services' offices 390 C Line, Orangeville. Please note that applications must be completed and returned to the Bolton or Orangeville Victim Services offices by February 27th, 2009.