Jack.org (Jack Talks Speaker)

• Background/police check required
• Appropriate for volunteers aged between 18 and 55
• Training or orientation required

Jack Talks are mental health presentations delivered by young people to young people. Trained and certified youth speakers use the power of personal stories and mental health education to inspire, engage, educate, and equip young people to look out for themselves and their peers. Week in and week out, our Jack Talks Speakers are on the ground making change. In the past year, 100 trained Speakers delivered 500 Talks in communities across the country. And guess what? You could be one of them.    At Jack.org, we’re looking for passionate young leaders to join us in bringing mental health into the conversation for youth in Canada. Speakers deliver mental health presentations that young people will actually listen to, and they don’t do it alone! Talks are always delivered by two speakers, and before you hit the stage, we train you to make sure you have the skills you’ll need to deliver safe, engaging, and authentic mental health presentations. Prior public speaking experience is not required. The term runs from September to June (with training taking place in July and August.) Please note this opportunity is available for youth across Canada, with a specific need for speakers from the Maritimes and prairie provinces.  Specifically, we’re looking for people to: Work with their co-speaker to deliver engaging and relatable presentations, both in-person and virtually, to youth of diverse backgrounds and experiences. Share tools, tips, and stories alongside foundational mental health knowledge to help audiences understand: What mental health is; How to be there for yourself; How to seek help; How to identify and support someone through a struggle or a crisis. Follow a peer-to-peer, interactive model that teaches young people that all of us have mental health and we all need to care for it.  Empower youth audiences to become involved in Jack.org’s movement of revolutionizing mental health across the country! Participate in relevant mental health education and speaker training (Jack Talks Training Program can be completed in roughly 4-6 weeks), which includes: How to share your story safely; How to effectively engage an audience; Completion of a few forms (including a vulnerable sector check and a personal safety plan); One-on-one, personalized coaching and practice talks alongside a Jack.org staff member. Qualifications  To be eligible, you must: Be 18 or older. We say 26 years old is the ceiling, but TBH, that’s a loose restriction. As long as you’re able to relate to young people on a peer-to-peer level, we encourage you to apply! Be fluent in English and/or French. Complete a vulnerable sector check (we will help process this for you!) If you would like to deliver in-person Talks, COVID-19 vaccination is required.  What you can expect: Growth of your own mental health knowledge.  Public speaking, communication, and safe storytelling skills. A platform to connect with and educate young people across Canada. At the end of the year, speakers receive an honorarium as a thank-you for their time and energy! How to apply If this sounds like you, please submit an application now! Speaker applications for the upcoming year are open until May 28th, 11:59PM EST, and can be completed at www.jack.org/talks/become-a-speaker.  Once you apply, you’ll be asked to get on a quick introductory call with one of our program coordinators. (Please keep an eye on your junk mail!) From there, speakers who are accepted into the program are asked to complete training and mandatory forms, and provide their availability to their designated Talks Coordinator. Speakers will receive their Jack.org tee in the mail, and start delivering Jack Talks! Have questions about the program? We would love to hear from you. Contact us at talks@jack.org.  Jack.org is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team that represents a variety of backgrounds and perspectives. We encourage people who are reflective of the diverse communities we serve to apply to join our team. Jack.org welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Reasonable accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the hiring process. Accommodation requests can be made by contacting accessibility@jack.org.  Thanks for applying! 💙