This is an unpaid volunteer opportunity with Waypoint Outreach Initiative.
About Waypoint Outreach Initiative
Waypoint Outreach Initiative is a community-based effort serving Ypsilanti and surrounding Washtenaw County communities. Our work focuses on peer support, harm reduction, community resource navigation, recovery support, and connecting people with practical services.
Our mission is to meet people where they are, treat every person with dignity, and help community members take meaningful steps toward stability.
Position Overview
Waypoint Outreach Initiative is seeking dependable and compassionate Volunteer Peer Support Representatives.
Peer Support Representatives help community members identify resources, understand their options, and take practical next steps related to housing, food, recovery, employment, healthcare, benefits, legal assistance, reentry, and other needs.
This is not a clinical, therapy, or professional case-management position. Volunteers provide encouragement, basic resource navigation, appropriate follow-up, and connections to established service providers.
Responsibilities
- Provide respectful and nonjudgmental peer support.
- Listen to community members and help identify their immediate needs.
- Connect individuals with local resources and service providers.
- Assist with basic resource navigation related to housing, food, recovery, employment, benefits, healthcare, legal services, and reentry.
- Participate in outreach events, workshops, resource tables, and library-based navigation sessions.
- Conduct appropriate follow-up check-ins when assigned.
- Maintain confidentiality, professional boundaries, and accurate communication.
- Complete basic outreach or referral documentation when required.
- Report urgent concerns or safety issues to Waypoint leadership.
- Represent Waypoint Outreach Initiative with compassion, consistency, and professionalism.
Preferred Qualifications
- Strong communication and listening skills.
- Dependable and able to follow through on commitments.
- Comfortable supporting people from different backgrounds and life experiences.
- Able to remain respectful during difficult or emotional conversations.
- Familiarity with Ypsilanti or Washtenaw County resources is helpful but not required.
- Experience in recovery support, reentry, homelessness services, veterans services, mental health, social services, outreach, or community engagement is welcomed.
- Lived experience is valued but never required to be disclosed.
- Peer recovery certification is welcomed but not required.
- Basic ability to use email, phone, and online resource directories.
Training and Support
Selected volunteers will receive orientation and guidance covering:
- Community resource navigation
- Harm-reduction principles
- Confidentiality and professional boundaries
- Documentation expectations
- Crisis escalation and safety procedures
- Waypoint policies and volunteer responsibilities
Development and Leadership Opportunities
Waypoint Outreach Initiative is growing, and reliable volunteers may have opportunities to take on increased responsibilities based on performance, experience, organizational needs, and availability.
Opportunities may include:
- Leading or co-leading peer-support groups or workshops
- Coordinating outreach events or navigation sessions
- Training and supporting future volunteers
- Helping develop programs, resource materials, and partnerships
- Progressing into volunteer team-lead or project-lead roles
- Receiving a professional reference or recommendation after consistent service
Advancement is not automatic, and paid employment is not currently promised or guaranteed. However, meaningful progression within Waypoint is possible as the organization continues to grow.
Schedule and Commitment
This is a flexible volunteer position, with most activities occurring during evenings or weekends. Opportunities may include community events, workshops, public-library sessions, outreach activities, and approved phone or text follow-up.
Volunteers should generally be able to contribute approximately 4–8 hours per month and commit for at least three months.
Volunteer Expectations
Volunteers must:
- Complete a brief interview and orientation.
- Sign Waypoint’s volunteer, confidentiality, and liability documents.
- Respect participant privacy and professional boundaries.
- Provide advance notice when unable to attend a scheduled activity.
- Avoid making promises that cannot be fulfilled.
- Never provide therapy, legal advice, medical advice, money, or transportation on behalf of Waypoint unless specifically authorized.
- Meet participants only in approved public or partner locations unless otherwise authorized.
Depending on the assignment, references, identification verification, or a background check may be requested. A past record will not automatically disqualify an applicant.
Compensation
This is an unpaid volunteer position. Mileage reimbursement, paid hours, employment, or future compensation are not guaranteed.
Pay: $1.00 - $27.19 per hour
Benefits:
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
Work Location: In person
