Imagine Seeks Loving Listeners
You may be familiar with Imagine and know that the non-profit provides free peer support groups for children, youth, young adults and parents/guardians who are grieving. Did you know that the groups are facilitated by an amazing team of volunteer facilitators? Imagine’s volunteer facilitators come from all walks of life and no special background is required other than a willingness to listen, a heart inclined to serve, and the ability to be with children and adults in grief without trying to fix, solve or give advice. No prior experience is necessary.
Volunteers must be 18 years or older. Spanish-speaking volunteers are needed as well. Volunteers serve as companions and loving listeners for those who are grieving and help create a safe space where participants can share tears and embrace the joys of life.
Here’s how some of our current volunteer facilitators have described their experience:
“Being an Imagine volunteer has been the most fulfilling and worthwhile volunteer experience I’ve ever had. I feel that the model is just what it should be, and I love being a part of it. I think being an imagine volunteer helps me fulfill my desire to be a good person.” Aimee-6+ years as Imagine Facilitator
“People outside of Imagine are always supportive when they hear that I volunteer at a grief support center. But I know it can be a little confusing to hear that volunteering at a grief support center is the best night of my week. And that’s the magic. That as a volunteer, the joy is not in what we bring, but what we take home from our participants.” Rob-4+ years as Imagine Facilitator
“I have found the people at Imagine to be among the best that I have ever met.” Diane-6 months as Imagine Facilitator
If you’d like to join Imagine’s amazing team of volunteer facilitators, there is a training planned for June 2 – 4. Each training is held from 9 a.m. – 5a.m. each day over 3 days at Imagine’s Mountainside center. Imagine asks that you plan to attend the entire training. Participants in the training will have an opportunity to learn companioning and facilitation skills while sharing stories with one another and providing each other with support. Many of Imagine’s facilitators come away from the training feeling truly connected to one another and describe the experience as “life changing” Participants also come away better prepared to support those at Imagine, and those in their lives who have experienced a loss.
If you’d like to join one of the upcoming trainings, please visit Imagine’s website at imaginenj.org or call the center at 908-264-3100. Imagine’s staff and volunteers hope to welcome you to the team!
Imagine is a 501c3 nonprofit that offers free year-round grief support groups for children ages 3-18 and young adults 19-30 who are coping with a loss due to death. Concurrently, support groups are available for the parents and guardians of the children in the groups and offered in English and Spanish. Imagine also offers grief and loss education and training to the community. For more information please contact Imagine at 908-264-3100 or info@imaginenj.org.
