PRISM

LGBTA Peer Counseling & Mentoring

Chat Room - SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009

Please join us for an online chat!
Our next one will be a Sunday night from 8-10pm in November. The date has not yet been set. Please check back here soon.
It's open to everyone and really simple to log on. You can create your own anonymous name and don't have to "talk". You might get a lot out of it from just looking at the conversation and "meeting" our peer counselors.
Here's the link: http://www.chatzy.com/247183555361

Involvement Opportunities

Are you interested in being a PRISM Team Member?
The application process is open from Friday, October 23rd until Friday, November 6, 2009.
Please use this PDF application:
PRISM Application

FAQ:

As a peer counselor, how much time should I expect to devote to the program?
PRISM Team members are expected to attend a weekly one-hour meeting with the rest of the team (scheduled around everyone's availability). Depending on how busy the program is, a counselor may also spend some time answering emails, meeting with other students, or general promotion for the PRISM Program, not usually more than an hour each week.

This is a paid position? Cool. How much?
Pay is $8/hour for your first year on the team, including training.

Oh yeah, training... how does that work?
Training is usually scheduled in five two-hour sessions throughout Winter Quarter. These will be scheduled based on your availability. New counselors can begin active counseling in Spring Quarter.

I'm straight, but I still want to get involved. Is there a position for me?
Yes! All sexual orientations and gender identities are welcome and encouraged to apply.

What happens after I turn in my application?
All applications will be reviewed the beginning of week 8, at which point you'll be contacted regarding the status of your application and possibly to schedule an interview. Interviews will take place sometime during week 9 (week before Thanksgiving), and we'll schedule around the availability you provided for us in the application.

Format

The format for the PRISM: LGBTA Peer Counseling & Mentoring Program is both online and in-person. This program is only for Cal Poly students.

How it works:

The Peer Counselors page will tell you about each of our PRISM Team members.
They can be contacted through the email address links below each of their bios.
You can contact whichever member of the team that you feel could be a best fit for you to talk to.
You can continue to talk with them in email format, or you can arrange to meet in-person at a location agreed upon by both of you.

This service is for students who identify as LGBT, questioning, or students who have LGBT or questioning friends, roommates, siblings, and want to seek advice.

Counseling and mentoring is year-round, and includes school breaks. During the summer, the team will still be answering their emails. Please allow up to 2 days for a response from mid-June to mid-September.

Please read 7 things to know about PRISM.

If you have any general questions about the program, you can email calpolyprism@gmail.com Please note that these peer counselors are not licensed counselors. They are Cal Poly students who have been trained in counseling and mentoring skills.