Volunteer facilitators will work together to help create a safe and caring environment of mutual encouragement and support for children, teens and adults grieving a death. Families and volunteers are assigned to a specific development group (5-8 year olds, 9-12 year olds, 13-18 year olds, and parents/guardians) that meet for 90 minutes every other week on Mondays. Each group will be facilitated by a volunteer team who will offer a mix of opportunities for children and teens to share their personal story about their grief, validating their feelings and experiences and helping them to feel less isolated in their grief. These opportunities include sharing as well as a structured activity using art, music, storytelling, poetry, writing, and drama. Facilitators will participate in planning and wrap-up sessions before and after each group meeting.
All volunteer facilitators will go through The Bradley Center’s required training weekend before being placed in a peer support group. Trainings are held twice per year, usually in February and August. Volunteers are required to agree to the following:
Responsibilities
- Commit to one-year of service (September – May) as a Volunteer Peer Support Group Facilitator meeting for three hours every other week
- Participate in pre- and post-sessions (5:30 p.m. arrival and 8:30 p.m. departure)
- Cooperate with the executive director and fellow facilitators in implementing the format for a assigned group
- Honor The Bradley Center’s mission and guiding principles when providing emotional and interfaith support to children and families during the bereavement process
- Foster play, storytelling, art and other behavior-centered coping mechanisms according to the group’s developmental abilities and program protocol
- Be aware and report any unhealthy or abnormal grief reactions that may need professional intervention
- Sign and honor the Statement of Confidentiality
- Assist in clean-up of the room to its original state following each group time
- Provide advance notice to the executive director when unable to attend
Requirements
- Must be 18 years old or older
- Complete Grief Facilitator Application and attach a current resume that includes two non-family references
- Pass Pre-Training Interview
- Complete the required Bradley Center training. Be willing to participate in continuing education training opportunities
- Complete a criminal background check prior to assuming duties
Qualifications
- Work as a team member
- Be able to work in a confidential environment
- Be compassionate and have a genuine love and concern for children and their parents
- Be committed to helping children and their families while leaving own needs and grief issues at the door
- A belief and commitment to The Bradley Center’s mission and guiding principles
Supervision
- Executive Director
Location
- All group sessions will be held Monday at the American Heritage School of South Jordan, 11100 South Redwood Road. Volunteers arrive at 5:30 p.m. and families at 6:30 p.m.
Time Commitment
- Evening program peer support groups: 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. every other week on Monday
- Attend The Bradley Center’s facilitator training
- Attend continuing education training as offered/available