Mentorship Program
Why?
OIM believes in people. We believe in the capacity for people to be able to pick themselves up and improve their life circumstances. When our street friends attempt to do this on their own, however, they are confronted with numerous obstacles and a dizzying array of choices that are just too overwhelming to handle without a support network behind them to encourage them along. That is why we have developed a ‘mentorship program’ to help our homeless community; one on one, one street friend at a time.
What?
OIM’s Mentorship Program can be described as an intentional, supportive relationship between one of our street friends and a trained OIM volunteer. It’s about developing consistent, positive relationships: relationships that will help individuals to spur one another on to higher positive meaningful goals.
The individual service may include such things as:
- Advocacy
- Life Intervention
- Referrals
- Encouragement & Support
In coming alongside individuals in this personal way, we believe that we are doing the Lord’s work. We believe that it is in developing consistent, caring relationships with people that we may then earn the right to speak into their lives about their spiritual journey and about our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Volunteer Requirements:
Each volunteer is an ambassador for the OIM ministry and a servant of our Lord and Savior. As a volunteer with our Mentorship Program, he/she is reminded that they carry a disposition and behaviour to be suitable with the standards and ethical guidelines of the OIM organization.
The following requirements are set out by OIM for all volunteer drop-in workers:
- Attend the Urban Intervention Training (UIT).
- Have experience as an volunteer through our street outreach or drop in services.
- Complete a Volunteer Application, including a police check form.
- Upon completion of the above requirements, a final interview will determine suitability for volunteering.