Volunteer
Taking the First StepVolunteer Commitment
The act of volunteering means commitment. As a volunteer it is expected that you will commit to all the parameters of the program. This could mean volunteering up to 4 hours per week or as little as a few hours a month. What is the First Step? Complete a Volunteer Application, Confidentiality Statement* and Reference Form. (Forms can be downloaded from our website or you can call our office for an application packet). After receiving your materials, you will be contacted for an interview. *Confidentiality Statement form is included in the Volunteer Application Packet. | For more information on volunteering, please contact:
Carol Swanson Volunteer Director (520) 622-5582, ext. 101 cswanson@namisa.org 
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Current Volunteer Opportunities
Clerical:
- Answer phones and direct callers 1/2 day (4 hours) per week or on-call.
- Provide administrative support to the staff.
- Help with copying materials for classes and outreach.
Bilingual (English/Spanish) Volunteers:
We are in need of bilingual volunteers (English/Spanish) as several of our programs and classes are offered in both languages. We also need bilingual Receptionists and Resource Specialists.
Educational Opportunities:
- Join our Education Committee and share your experiences with outside groups (churches, schools, etc.)
- Train to be an "In Our Own Voice" presenter. Training is provided and you must be a person living with mental illness.
- Become a Peer to Peer mentor after completion of the 18-hour educational program. Must be a person living with mental illness.
- Train to be a presenter for Parents and Teachers as Allies educational program.
- Train to be a Family-to-Family education course instructor. Must be a graduate of the 30 hour course.
- Train to be a teacher for NAMI Basics - an education program for parents of a child with mental illness.
Resource Specialist:
Become a Resource Specialist in support of our NAMI Staff Advocates. Your role will be to assist the client in learning about the mental health system, provide community resources, assist in gaining access to a case manager or counselor, patient rights, and much more. Training is provided and a one-year commitment is required.
Support Group Facilitator:
Be a support group facilitator for NAMI Connection (a group for people living with a mental illness) or a Family Support Group. In general, support groups meet once per month for 1 1/2 hours. Training is provided and a two-year time commitment is required.
Heart-to-Heart Program Volunteer:
Heart-to-Heart is an organization of volunteers who are dedicated to helping people with serious mental illness live fuller, happier lives. This program bridges the gap between the community at large and the population of people living with a mental illness, who might otherwise find themselves on the outskirts of society, forgotten and lonely.
- Answer phones and direct callers 1/2 day (4 hours) per week or on-call.
- Provide administrative support to the staff.
- Help with copying materials for classes and outreach.
Bilingual (English/Spanish) Volunteers:
We are in need of bilingual volunteers (English/Spanish) as several of our programs and classes are offered in both languages. We also need bilingual Receptionists and Resource Specialists.
Educational Opportunities:
- Join our Education Committee and share your experiences with outside groups (churches, schools, etc.)
- Train to be an "In Our Own Voice" presenter. Training is provided and you must be a person living with mental illness.
- Become a Peer to Peer mentor after completion of the 18-hour educational program. Must be a person living with mental illness.
- Train to be a presenter for Parents and Teachers as Allies educational program.
- Train to be a Family-to-Family education course instructor. Must be a graduate of the 30 hour course.
- Train to be a teacher for NAMI Basics - an education program for parents of a child with mental illness.
Resource Specialist:
Become a Resource Specialist in support of our NAMI Staff Advocates. Your role will be to assist the client in learning about the mental health system, provide community resources, assist in gaining access to a case manager or counselor, patient rights, and much more. Training is provided and a one-year commitment is required.
Support Group Facilitator:
Be a support group facilitator for NAMI Connection (a group for people living with a mental illness) or a Family Support Group. In general, support groups meet once per month for 1 1/2 hours. Training is provided and a two-year time commitment is required.
Heart-to-Heart Program Volunteer:
Heart-to-Heart is an organization of volunteers who are dedicated to helping people with serious mental illness live fuller, happier lives. This program bridges the gap between the community at large and the population of people living with a mental illness, who might otherwise find themselves on the outskirts of society, forgotten and lonely.
