What are YACC Chats?
YACC Chats provide a way for young adults affected by cancer to connect in an easy, safe, and supportive environment. These chats are peer-led themed virtual conversations offered over Zoom by a team of YACC leaders.
Chat leaders facilitate non-judgmental, empathetic conversation for their peers, other young adults diagnosed with cancer.
This dynamic team could include you!
Who qualifies?
Basic Eligibility Criteria
- Young adults aged 18-39
- Received a cancer diagnosis between the ages of 0 and 39
- Residents of Canada
Skills and Qualities Required
- Ability to read, write, and speak English fluently
- Basic computer skills including familiarity with Google products and Zoom
- Non-judgmental helping style
- Willingness to challenge one’s own beliefs and ideas and be open to diverse opinions and experiences
- Caring and compassionate communication skills (both written and verbal)
- Ability to remain calm and collected in emotional situations
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
- Willingness to ask for help when needed and practice open communication
- Supportive of co-leaders
- Available to attend a specialized, virtual training (dates to be confirmed)
In all activities, our volunteers are guided by the values of YACC: strength, courage, commitment, heart, and spark.
Responsibilities
Chat leaders lead YACC Chats which provide a way for young adults affected by cancer to connect in an easy, safe, and supportive environment. These chats are peer-led themed virtual conversations offered over Zoom.
More specifically, Chat leaders focus on the following:
- Safety and inclusivity: Chat leaders are meant to hold space for all their peers to feel safe and comfortable sharing their stories and experiences.
- Community building and connection: Chat leaders are great listeners to others who might not have other spaces in which they can be heard as who they are. They offer hope, understanding, affirmation, normalization and more to others.
- Communication and collaboration: Chat leaders build rapport with those they support. This includes relating, listening, learning, and sharing.
- Learning and personal growth: Chat leaders, as having person experiences with cancer as young adults, continue to grow and learn within their role.
Commitment
We ask that all people accepting this role are confident that they can commit approximately 5-10 hours per month for a one-year term. This time will be spent on training, continuous learning, meetings, chats and other communications with YACC staff and the YACC Chat team.
This is a volunteer position.
How to apply
The first step in our YACC Chat leader recruitment process is to complete our Open Call for Volunteers Form. If you have already completed this form and indicated that you were interested in the Chat leader position, you do not need to complete the form again.
DEADLINE: August 31, 2021
