Boulder County government offices closed Tuesday, Dec. 31 (at noon), and Wednesday, Jan. 1, for the New Year’s holiday.

Volunteer Opportunity

Circle of Support and Accountability for Offenders – COSA volunteers needed

Application or Registration Deadline: 05/01/2018
Opportunity Type: Ongoing Volunteer Opportunity
Department: Courts
Time Commitment & Minimum Age: Must be 21 to apply. Two evenings each month for 1.5 hrs. One year commitment required.
Location:

Boulder Justice Center

6th and Canyon, Boulder, CO.

Program Summary:

Become part of a small group of community members (4-5 people in each Circle) who meet twice a month with high needs/high risk adult offenders (considered the “Core” member of the Circle). Provide support and accountability for successful and sustainable reintegration of these clients who are under probation supervision with the 20th Judicial District Probation Department in Boulder County.

Duties and Responsibilities:

You, the community members, provide important normalizing reflection on the client’s thinking process and engagement with treatment and the community through relationship building in the context of the circle process.

Participants work with the client to identify and consider harms to self, family, victims and community through dialogue. No direct victim participation occurs.

Qualifications and Requirements:

Desired character traits: Compassion, empathy, good listening and communication skills, common sense, can set clear boundaries, able to appropriately support and advocate for clients while holding them accountable and confront challenging situations, willingness to learn, some group process experience is preferred. Two evenings each month for 1.5 hrs.

Requirements: Must be 21 years of age and a Boulder County resident. Must have an interest in working closely and compassionately with serious crime offenders, with a commitment to public safety. Some clients are sex offenders. This volunteer position is one of ongoing recruitment. Trainings and placement are available year-round.

Training Dates and Information:

Training will occur after 5 volunteer candidates have been identified.

Additional Information:

For more information on the COSA process please visit:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circles_of_Support_and_Accountability

http://www.law.leeds.ac.uk/assets/files/research/ccjs/CoSA/CoSA-Full-Report.pdf

Contact:

For more information, please contact Catherine Childs at 303-441-1773 or catherine.childs@judicial.state.co.us

Application Process:

For more information, please contact Catherine Childs at 303-441-1773 or catherine.childs@judicial.state.co.us