Is there an age requirement?

You must be 18 or older.

Are there any other requirements for being a volunteer?

• You must attend all four days of our 36-hour training.

• You must be willing to work one 4-hour shift every week for one year.

• You must be in a quiet location for your shift.

• You must have a computer and fast internet.

• You must have a functional smartphone, in order to be able to use our scheduling software.

• You must speak and write English fluently.

• You must be open to receiving constructive feedback from our supervisors and volunteers.

Are volunteers paid?

No.

What are the different shifts?

The shifts are 11am to 3pm; 3pm to 7pm; 7pm to 11pm. We are open everyday from 11am to 11pm PACIFIC TIME.

Can volunteers trade shifts with each other?

Yes.

What is the selection process?

We read your application, conduct interviews, discuss each applicant, check references, and conduct background checks.

What do you recommend to increase our chances of being selected?

Prior experience providing peer support is a plus. We also look for people who have done their own inner work, whether in therapy or in other contexts. We also prefer people for whom psychedelics have played a foundational role in their lives. Ultimately, we ask ourselves, “is the type of person who we’d trust to provide support to us or our loved ones?” Some of our volunteers have advanced degrees, others have none.

Can volunteers on a shift choose to respond to text messages only, or phone calls only?

No.

Does time spent on the support line, either as a volunteer or supervisor, count towards my licensure requirements?

Not at this time, but we would like to offer that soon.

Can individuals calling in to the support line express a preference for a volunteer with certain characteristics? For example, can clients request a volunteer who is BIPOC, a military veteran, or transgender?

Yes. We will do our best to honor those requests. If a volunteer with that identity is not working on that shift, we will let the caller know such a volunteer will be working.

Is the support line free?

Yes.

But how is this possible?

Through tax-deductible donations from people like you! Please click here to make a donation. We even accept crypto!

Do you offer peer support to people outside of the United States?

Not at the moment, but we will be offering support to other countries soon, starting with Canada.

How long are calls to the support line?

Call duration will depend on numerous factors including call volume, the number of volunteers on each shift, and whether the client is in crisis. There is a 45-minute limit on integration calls.

Does Fireside Project have a brick-and-mortar location? Is the intention to have one eventually?

We do not have a brick-and-mortar location, and we do not anticipate having one in the near future.