Can you speak English and an Asian language fluently?

The Asian Society for the Intervention of AIDS is in need of bilingual volunteers to take calls for their sexual health hotline. (I wrote an article about ASIA in 2005. They do a lot of good  and often challenging work for Asian communities.)

Here are the details:

Title: ASIA sexual health line workers—with fluency in any of the following languages: Mandarin, Cantonese, Punjabi, Korean, Japanese, or Vietnamese.

Goals/Purpose: To offer support and information related to sexual health, serving callers from the Asian community and other communities in the Lower Mainland.

Activities/Tasks:
Ӣ To provide callers with non-judgmental, relevant and accurate information and support related to sexual health concerns including STIs, HIV, Safer Sex, Sexual orientation, pregnancy options, and birth control.
Ӣ To refer callers to further services where appropriate.
Ӣ To work with a diverse population of callers.
Ӣ To respond to questions online.
Ӣ To keep skills and knowledge updated though reading current information updates, and participating in role plays and scenarios.

Skills and Qualities Required:
Ӣ Fluency in spoken English and Asian language
Ӣ Have the ability to follow through re: shifts, hours of volunteer work.
Ӣ Ability to listen well, caring, non-judgmental, willing to learn, committed, and reliable.
Ӣ Knowledge of sexual health issues and experience in peer support work helpful but not required.
Ӣ Responsible person who is committed to helping ASIA in this exciting new initiative.

Orientation/Training:
Ӣ Applicants to the hotline must complete an intensive 20 hour training in order to work on the sexual health hotline.
Ӣ The training includes workshops on issues such as supportive communication, sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy options, birth control, cultural sensitivity, crisis intervention and more.
Ӣ An additional 9 hours of mentoring.

Benefits:
Ӣ Great opportunity to develop skills and knowledge related to health service work and counseling.
Ӣ Develop a good understanding of issues related sexual health and the Asian community.
Ӣ Receive valuable experience for future employment in areas of health care, community work, and counseling.
Ӣ Practice effective communication and listening skills.
Ӣ Be recognized and appreciated for valuable contribution made to Asian communities in Lower Mainland.

Time Commitment:
Ӣ 1 shift of 3 hours per week, plus 1 debriefing meeting per 3 months.
”¢ Shift are available M, W, F nights 6–9 pm.
Ӣ Minimum 100 hour time commitment after completion of training.

Supervision:
Ӣ This volunteer position reports to the volunteer coordinator/

For more information, please contact Alex Mah at 604 669 5567 or volunteer@asia.bc.ca