Volunteer with us
“The volunteers are truly the heartbeat of our organization. Not only do they ensure the important work gets done, they keep our centre accountable to the community and restorative justice principles. The growth mindset, commitment, and joy the volunteers bring to our centre is deeply appreciated.”
- Karen Milstein-McKinnon, Managing Director
Current Volunteer openings:
Board of Directors
We are seeking two passionate community members to join our dynamic Board of Directors beginning December 2026. If you can commit 4–8 hours per month and want to help build a more just, inclusive, and connected Comox Valley, we'd love to hear from you.
More information can be found: HERE.
Upcoming opportunities
Please sign up HERE to be notified of other upcoming volunteer openings.
Volunteer Roles:
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Responsible for supervising case files from start to finish. They meet with clients for exploratory meetings, assessing suitability for Restorative Justice (RJ), explaining the process, and exploring client's needs. Case Coordinators plan and oversee the Resolution Processes. Case Coordinators are the ‘go-to’ people for our clients as they move through their RJ process. Case coordinating is the volunteer role with the most responsibility and the role that works most closely with staff.
Is this position right for me? This role is best for people who want to work directly with clients and are committed to maintaining high standards for client care. Like all our volunteers, Case Coordinators believe in Restorative Justice values, and are comfortable working alongside people, who have caused or experienced harm. Case Coordinators practice a high level of self-reflection and are comfortable talking about power, privilege, and implicit bias as it shows up in RJ work. Case coordinators are committed to being trauma- informed and continued learning. They are strong communicators, and like working as part of a committed, cohesive, supportive, joyful team. Ability to document details and follow process is required.
Key responsibilities:
Day-to-day management of case files, including managing paperwork.
Consult with and support other Case Coordinators and staff.
Assess suitability of case files for RJ.
Monitor resolution agreements to completion.
Maintain a self-care strategy and communicate support needs to staff.
Schedule and lead exploratory meetings with affected and responsible parties prior to their facilitated dialogues. Provide a space to explore their justice needs, as well as hopes and concerns for the process.
Organize resolution conferences and circles, including booking other volunteers.
Be the host for resolution conferences, and occasionally circles: support the process, set up, clean up and documentation. Debrief with staff after if and when needed.
Work closely with other volunteers to ensure a cohesive process and positive experience for clients and other volunteers.
Support the general wellbeing of the Community Justice Centre.
Time commitment: Most Case Coordinators volunteer one (1) day a week for three (3) hours and attend Resolution Dialogues (Resolution conference and Circle Dialogues) as needed, which typically are 3 hours and occur after 4 pm- frequence varies.
Qualifications: Experience in one of the following areas: education, mediation, social worker, restorative justice, counselling, conflict, trauma-informed client care, or another related field.
Support provided: Case Coordinators are trained by existing coordinators and receive ongoing support from staff. They also attend Community of Practice meetings with the entire team, and at least one annual training offered to all CJC volunteers.
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The Administrative Coordinator is the first point of contact for most case files.
Working with Case Coordinators and Community Justice Centre staff, the AC ensures case files are organized, accurate, and up to date while maintaining the highest standards of privacy and confidentiality. Admin Coordinators also assist, and/or take ownership of other tasks as capacity allows. These may include, but are not limited to: form creation, editing, maintenance of the physical space and other admin related duties. These may be different for each volunteer, based on capacity, interest and need.
Like all our volunteers, Admin Coordinators believe in Restorative Justice values, and they are comfortable interacting with people who have caused harm or committed crime.
Is this position right for me? This position works mostly on computers, so it is best for people who are comfortable with technology. Our admin coordinators are self-starters who see a need, and action filling it. They also work relationally to support other team members and are committed to the values of Restorative Justice.
We work in a shared office that can be busy at times, so this position is best for volunteers who thrive in a dynamic environment.
Key responsibilities:
Organize, maintain, and monitor the accuracy and integrity of confidential electronic and paper case files.
Assist the Case Coordinator of the day with file management and prepares paperwork for resolution conferences
Review and confirm schedules, and make reminder calls and correspondence
Greet and welcome visitors and meeting participants.
Safeguards client confidentiality by following policy and procedures
Answer the phone, including directing calls and answering questions. Maintain the email inbox and responds to emails as needed
Maintain a self-care strategy and communicate support needs with CJC staff.
Records data for statistics and grant reporting
Takes on additional projects as needed
Double checking other work and following up as needed with clients
Time commitment: Most Administrative Coordinators volunteer one (1) day a week for a total of three (3) hours.
Qualifications: This position doesn’t require any formal qualifications. Office experience is an asset, and comfort with working on computers is required.
Support provided: Administrative Coordinators are trained by existing coordinators and receive ongoing support from Community Justice Centre staff and other Coordinators. They also attend Community of Practice meetings with the entire administrative team, and at least one annual training offered to all CJC volunteers.
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Community Representatives are members of the community who stand in and speak to the impact of the harm. A key focus of RJ is the acknowledgement that when a harm is committed, the community itself is also affected. They provide valuable perspective, while maintaining the focus of the conference on the parties directly involved. Their community voice adds depth and nuance to resolution conferences. They also support our process by following established protocols for resolution conferences.
Community Representatives may also support CJC by participating in community engagement or other volunteer tasks.
Is this position right for me? Community Representatives are self-aware and reflective, and they apply their strong discernment when making decisions about what the share for the benefit of the resolution conference. This role is a good fit for volunteers who may not have the time or qualifications for a Facilitator or Case Coordinator role, but who are passionate about Restorative Justice and believe in community-based responses to harm. Like all our volunteers, Case Coordinators believe in Restorative Justice values, and they are comfortable working alongside people who have caused harm or committed crime. Community Representatives have a strategy in place to avoid bringing their implicit bias to resolution conferences.
Key responsibilities:
Attend resolution conferences and provide appropriate input and community knowledge
Follow CJC protocol, particularly as it relates to client confidentiality. Disclose any dual or overlapping relationship to the Case Coordinator.
As necessary, read the case file before attending a resolution conference
Attend briefing and debriefing for each resolution conference
Maintain a self-care strategy, and communicate support needs with CJC staff.
Help set up and clean up for resolution conferences
Time commitment: Most Resolution Conferences require a three hour time commitment. How often you may be requested depends upon the number of cases that are currently active and your availability. Resolution conferences typically take place at 4 pm.
Qualifications: A community member in the Comox Valley. Lived experience in equity-deserving identities is an asset, and applicants who are racialized, queer/trans, or can otherwise speak to the impacts of marginalization, are encouraged to apply. All lived experience, including that from dominant culture norms, can be a valuable asset in Restorative Justice. There are no formal qualifications required for this role.
Support provided: Debriefing support is provided by the Facilitator and Case Coordinator after each conference. CJC staff are available to support as needed.
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The Facilitator has the key role of supporting Resolution Conferences between Affected and Responsible Parties. They ensure that all parties are heard, a meaningful and viable agreement is reached, and the CJC process is followed. They create a container for resolution conferences that is equitable, responsive, and person-centered.
Is this position right for me? This role is best for people who like to work directly with clients, and are looking for less time commitment than the Case Coordinator role. Facilitators have a strong sense of responsibility to multiple clients at once, and can balance different needs and perspectives on conflict and harm. Facilitators follow CJC protocols and blend them with emergent nature of resolution conferences. They are reflective, attuned, and comfortable with conflict. They approach resolution conferences with humility and have a learning mindset. Like all our volunteers, facilitators believe in Restorative Justice values, and they are comfortable working alongside people who have caused harm or committed crime.
Key responsibilities:
Facilitate resolution conferences following CJC protocol
As needed, connect with the Case Coordinator prior to resolution conferences .
As needed, help Case Coordinators to welcome new CJC volunteers who may be in training at Resolution Conferences.
Maintain a self-care strategy and communicate support needs with CJC staff.
Work with clients to reach consensus on conflict resolution, and prepare an agreement related to restitution, apologies, etc.
Interrupt systemic harm such as racism, classism, and homophobia in the moment.
Lead debriefs after resolution conferences and connect with staff as needed after the resolution conference for further debrief.
Help host the space for all - including CJC volunteers and our clients.
Work closely with case coordinator to ensure all CJC standards and RJ values are met and to provide a supportive, cohesive process for clients and CJC volunteers.
Time commitment: Most Resolution Conferences require a three (3) hour time commitment. How often you may be requested depends upon the number of cases that are currently active and your availability.
Qualifications: Education and/or experience is required for this role, such as restorative justice, facilitation, mediators, social workers, or counselors.
Support provided: Facilitators are trained through mentorship by existing volunteer coordinators and receive ongoing support from Community Justice Centre staff. They also attend Community Practice Meetings and at least one annual training offered to all CJC volunteers.
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The Circle Keeper coordinates and co-facilitates our Circle Dialogues. Circle Dialogues can be either community dialogues that are open to everyone, or circles in response to harm where agreements might be made. Circle keepers are responsible for creating a container for structured sharing that deepens relationships.
Is this position right for me? Circle keepers offer a warm and open presence that facilitates deeper sharing. They are invited to initiate community dialogues on issues they notice in community that might benefit from a Restorative Justice (RJ) approach. Because circles have roots in Indigenous practices, our Circle Keepers are comfortable acknowledging both Indigeneity and the limits of RJ to fully implement Indigenous practices. Like all our volunteers, Circle Keepers believe in Restorative Justice values, and they are comfortable working alongside people who have caused harm or committed crime.
Key responsibilities:
Cofacilitate dialogue circles, adhering to agreements around timekeeping and community guidelines for participation.
Develop and co-lead community dialogue circles that are relevant to community need, Restorative Justice values and the CJC Mission.
For circles in response to harm, meet with the participants before the circle, sometimes multiple times
Coordinate with co-keepers to develop dialogue prompts for each circle
Interrupt systemic harm such as racism, classism, and homophobia in the moment
Time commitment: Most circles are two hours, not including prep and debrief time. How often you may be requested depends upon the number of cases that are currently active and your availability.
Qualifications: Relevant experience is required for this role. here are no formal qualifications required for this role. Lived experience in equity-deserving identities is an asset, and applicants who are racialized, queer/trans, or are otherwise impacted by marginalization, are encouraged to apply.
Support provided: Circle Keepers are trained by the CJC staff and receive mentorship from volunteers and ongoing support from Community Justice Centre staff and volunteers. They also attend Community of Practice meetings with the entire team, and at least one annual training offered to all CJC volunteers.
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If you have skills you would like to offer in any of the following areas we would love to hear from you:
Graphic design
Attending community engagement events
Grant writing and fund development
Technology support
Planning and setup for community education events
Writing and editing
Bookkeeping
Website design and maintenance
Fundraising and fund development
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We would not exist without the 60+ volunteers who power our work. Many of our volunteers, with a wide range of ages and backgrounds, have been volunteering with us for more than ten years.
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Depending on the role(s) our volunteers perform, there are minimum and flexible time commitments. Schedules vary and are often flexible.
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There are many ways to volunteer with the the Community Justice Centre. Initial and ongoing trainings are provided, and we’re always open to specific training requests from our volunteers.
Thank you to our funders: