The Wal-Mart Foundation awarded JASMYN a $250 grant in honor of Damien Floyd's volunteer work with SPECTRUM. (Cindy Watson, Executive Director accepting the check from Damien Floyd)

JASMYN Volunteer Training

Building safe space for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth under 24 that will nurture their health and well-being and enhance pride and self-esteem.

SUMMER/FALL  SCHEDULE 2006

JASMYN is currently recruiting volunteers to work with Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (GLBTQ) youth in the Youth Drop In Center and other sites.  All volunteers must complete a volunteer application, pass the criminal background check, and complete training specific to the position requested. Pre-registration is required for all training sessions. Interested individuals may contact Dan Merkan at the JASMYN office at (904) 389-3857 x210 for more information. The Volunteer Position Descriptions and Winter/Spring 2007 Training Schedule are listed below. Training will occur at 923 Peninsular Place unless otherwise indicated.

VOLUNTEER POSITIONS & TRAINING REQUIREMENTS FOR EACH:

Volunteers will complete the JASMYN’s Orientation/Overview training and choose 1 or more of the interest areas listed below:

Program Volunteers: Assist staff with running youth program activities, offer informal mentoring and support to youth.

Gay Youth Information Volunteers: Answer the Gay Youth Info. Line and provide information, support and referrals to youth callers. 

Support Group Facilitators: Lead or co-lead the youth support groups at the JASMYN Drop-in-Center Facilitators are responsible for enforcing the groups norms, and encouraging depth in the groups discourse. New volunteer facilitators will shadow seasoned volunteer facilitators or staff members for a few groups prior to facilitating.

HIV Counseling & Testing (HIV C & T): Volunteers who have completed their certification for AIDS 104/500 & 501 may, if approved, volunteer with our HIV C & T team. To become certified, volunteers must take 104/500 & 501 through the Department of Health. These courses are approximately 24 hours in length combined. Ask the volunteer coordinator for a schedule of upcoming 104/500 & 501 courses.

Volunteers in these categories do not need to attend JASMYN’s Orientation/Overview training, but it is encouraged:

Peer Educators: Volunteers between ages 16-23 may consider becoming peer educators. To become a peer educator, one must complete approximately 20 hours of training and several other requirements post training. Stipends may be available.

Clerical: JASMYN often needs help with mailings, data entry, filing, library management, phone banks, and other clerical activities.

Spectrum: Guys between the ages of 18-23 may volunteer for this community building project by attending core group meetings.  Spectrum encourages core group members to commit to assisting the project for at least three months.  Tasks include community assessment, planning events, developing promotional and educational materials, and performing outreach. 

Community Advisory Board: Volunteers can assist the Spectrum men in an advisory capacity as they take on community building activities.

• Volunteers will meet with the Volunteer Coordinator and JASMYN staff for on-going training and/or support as needed. Meetings with the volunteer coordinator will give volunteers opportunities to discuss successes and challenges, to schedule volunteer times, and to receive information and training which will make them better volunteers. Volunteers are asked to volunteer at least one day/evening per month. Additional information is outlined in the Volunteer Contract, which will be covered in the orientation.
• All Volunteers should complete AIDS 104 through JASMYN or the Department of Health. 

Description of Volunteer Training Sessions:

OVERVIEW AND INTRO TO GLBTQ YOUTH ISSUES:An overview of all JASMYN volunteer opportunities, and introduction to gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth - the developmental issues they face as adolescents and young adults and the problems they experience as they encounter discrimination and lack of support from peers, families, schools, and the community. Volunteers should take this session first, if possible.

AIDS 104 CERTIFICATION:The AIDS 104 Certification, offered especially for JASMYN volunteers, will cover HIV/AIDS transmission, information on treatment, counseling and testing, confidentiality and risk reduction.  This session is encouraged for all volunteers, as HIV questions come up with youth in all contexts.

SUPPORT GROUP FACILITATION: Learn tips and skills for co-facilitating a youth support group, including group dynamics, fun exercises, listening skills, and more.

POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: Join JASMYN in its cutting edge work with young people in the Youth Drop in Center.  Learn to view youth from the perspective of their strengths and assets and how to develop these instead of just looking at their problems and how to solve them.  Learn the 40 developmental assets that ALL young people need to grow into competent, contented, contributing citizens, and you will see how JASMYN supports the positive development of our GLBTQ youth.

STAFFING THE GAY YOUTH INFORMATION LINE: Telephone counseling and referral is the primary purpose of the Gay Youth Info Line, the first contact with JASMYN for many youth.  Learn how to answer the phone line in a non-judgmental, positive manner and offer education and support to youth seeking help.

HIV COUNSELING & TESTING: Learn how to perform HIV tests. Approximately 24 hours of special training through the Florida Department of Health is required.

PEER EDUCATION: This is for volunteers ages 16-23 only. Get 20 hours of training on many topics like sex, sexuality, HIV/STD & pregnancy prevention, healthy relationships, domestic violence and more. Stipends may be available for those who complete training and other program requirements.

OTHER TRAININGS: Other training will be developed with volunteer input and will be offered as needed.

JASMYN volunteer applications must be completed and approved prior to attending the first training session. Pre-registration for training sessions is required. You can print out a volunteer application and send it to JASMYN, Inc., P.O. Box 380103, Jacksonville, FL  32204 or you can fax it to 904-389-3089.  Call Dan Merkan at the JASMYN office at (904) 389-3857 ext. 210 if you need a volunteer application, to pre-register for training , or more information about volunteering with JASMYN.