Question 1

Why volunteer with CoSA?

Accepted Answer

CoSA Circle volunteers choose to actively participate in protecting the communities they live in.  They choose to support and hold accountable someone who has been previously convicted of a sexual offence. 
CoSA volunteers help reduce a person’s likelihood of reoffending, thereby facilitating public safety.  Statistically, high-risk sex offenders who participated in CoSA sexually reoffend 80% less than those without a CoSA Circle.
Circles of Support and Accountability (Circles) build safer communities through local volunteers working with returning citizens to minimise alienation, support reintegration and so prevent sexual reoffending.
As a CoSA volunteer, you learn a great deal and build strong relationships.  Volunteers grow individually and as a group while challenging the Core Member to become the best version of himself/herself.

Question 2

What does a CoSA Circle Volunteer do?

Accepted Answer

The returning citizen (referred to as the Core Member or CM) is “surrounded” by up to four community volunteers in a Circle that meets weekly (and between meetings by phone). 
The volunteers offer relational and practical support. They focus on accountability to keep the community safe by emphasizing compliance with supervision, addressing risk factors, targeting criminal thinking patterns, challenging assumptions and helping the CM to form pro-social attitudes.

Question 3

What happens in a typical Circle meeting?

Accepted Answer

The Circle Volunteers are trained to recognize behaviour that may raise concerns. The Circle monitors the CM’s behaviours, thoughts, fantasies, and perceptions, and then challenges and confronts the CM and holds him/her accountable to reducing the overall risk of reoffending, thereby adding another layer of community protection. 
 
The Circle will help him/her by discussing the various challenges of re-entry into the community, such as securing housing, limited employment opportunities, health care, transportation, potential mental health concerns, substance abuse, etc. In addition, because of Core Members offences, they may have limited access to pro-social activities and restrictions limiting contact with his/her family members, so the Circle provides a supportive environment to address the social and practical needs of the CM.  
 
“To give someone the opportunity to start anew is always a good thing. Never give up on them; everyone is capable of success at some level.”- CoSA Volunteer
"Overall, this man wants to live his life and I feel I have removed the stigma that I once held towards people with sexual harmful convictions..." - CoSA Volunteer
Make a meaningful difference in your community!

Circles of Support and Accountability is rooted in restorative justice. This is the belief that crime harms the whole community, and together, the community must mend the tears.
“It gives you an opportunity to be a part of the solution and the change you want to see.”
 - CoSA Volunteer
“Walk daily in friendship with the Core Member”- (CSC, 2003: p. 11).
Volunteers provide support to facilitate the CM’s transition to life in the community
 
As a volunteer...
You do not need any special qualifications.
Be prepared to give, receive, and to grow.
You will be part of a team and supported.
Know that you are changing many lives…
To find out what qualities are needed to be a good CoSA Volunteer, click here

Question 4

What is expected of a Circle Volunteer, and what are the Volunteers’ responsibilities?"

Accepted Answer

Committing to volunteer for a minimum of 1 year.
Participating in an initial basic training session (3-4 hrs.), and additional 4 hour advanced training sessions scheduled twice a year (March and September).
Attending weekly meetings with the other Circle members (1 ¼ hrs.).
Supporting the CM and assisting the CM in making good decisions through mentorship and Circle discussions.

Question 5

What are the requirements for becoming a CoSA Volunteer?

Accepted Answer

Application (*must be a minimum of 30 years of age)
Interview 
Criminal background check
Basic Training 3-4 hrs
Advanced Circle Training (2 Saturdays annually – Spring and Fall, 4 hours each)
Attend weekly Circle meetings
Agreement to participate in a CoSA Circle for a minimum of 1 year.

Society cannot afford any more victims of sexual harm. We need you.

Question 6

Do volunteers need to have expertise in any area?

Accepted Answer

You do not have to be an expert, a psychologist or a social worker.

Our volunteers come from all walks of life: firefighters, lawyers, construction workers, daycare workers, engineers, sales personnel, teachers, homemakers, nurses, retired individuals, etc.

You just need to have a sense of what is needed to become a pro-social citizen: what is right, acceptable, healthy and just, and a desire to help your community.

Question 7

What does volunteer training include?

Accepted Answer

Basic Training is provided once volunteers are onboarded. This includes pre-training materials and links prior to a 4 hour in-person training.
Advanced Training gives the volunteers additional tools and covers topics in-depth such as: sexual deviancy, relapse prevention, healthy boundaries, thought and behaviour patterns, crisis management, group functioning and support, and the restorative justice process.
“We are always on the lookout for caring, conscientious volunteers to help further our mission of community safety."

Question 8

Are CoSA volunteers at risk?

Accepted Answer

Volunteers always work in groups.
Volunteers are provided excellent training.
There are one or more experienced volunteers on every Circle.
The Program Coordinator sits in on the first few meetings and then as needed.  In two decades of the program, there has never been a risk to any of our volunteers.
The Circles meet indoors in a safe location (i.e. office building, church).  Meetings are never held at volunteers’ homes.
The Core Member is never given personal information about the volunteers (i.e. address, family, job, etc.). The group has guidelines and boundaries that prohibit sharing of this information.

You can make a difference. We need teams of volunteers willing to work with reintegrating individuals as they transition from prison back into our community. This program has a proven track record in lowering recidivism (reoffending); thus, making the community safer and helping those released become productive members of society.

Question 9

I’d like to look into becoming a Circle Volunteer

Accepted Answer

Please connect with us! To learn more, or to fill in the Circle Volunteer application form

Question 10

What is expected of a Circle Volunteer, and what are Volunteers’ responsibilities?

Accepted Answer

Committing to volunteer for a minimum of 1 year.
Participating in an initial training session (3-4 hrs.), ongoing training and additional 4-hour advanced training sessions scheduled twice a year (Spring and Fall).
Attending weekly meetings with the CM and other Circle volunteers.
Supporting the CM and assisting the CM in making good decisions through mentorship and Circle discussions.
To learn more about volunteering with CoSA, contact us.

Become a Volunteer