Volunteer Opportunity for Retirees: Remote Peer Counselor with Empower Work

Support Workers in Crisis. Share a Lifetime of Wisdom. Make an Impact from Home.

After a lifetime of professional and personal experience, many retirees look for meaningful ways to give back, stay mentally active, and stay connected to a community. Empower Work offers a unique opportunity to use your hard-earned wisdom to support people facing difficult moments at work—through a fully remote, flexible volunteer role.

Every day, workers across the U.S. reach out to Empower Work when they’re facing a serious challenge: a sudden job loss, discrimination, an overwhelming manager, or feeling lost in their career. As a Volunteer Peer Counselor, you’ll offer immediate, confidential support through text or chat. Your calm presence, perspective, and ability to listen can make an enormous difference—often in a single conversation.

You’ll complete our comprehensive 18-hour online training (across five weeks), building skills that many retired volunteers say deepen empathy, sharpen communication, and enrich relationships well beyond the volunteer work itself.

Why This Work Matters

Empower Work is a national nonprofit ensuring that everyone—no matter their role or workplace—feels valued and supported. In 2025, we reached a milestone: nearly half a million workers supported. More than 94% of people who contact us say they feel better after just one conversation.

This impact is only possible because of volunteers like you—people who bring patience, compassion, and lived experience.

Hear From a Volunteer

“I’ve learned that people often just need someone to truly listen as they process their experience. Volunteering at Empower Work helped me put empathy into action and better identify when to validate, acknowledge, and champion others.”

— Ebele, Volunteer Peer Counselor

What You’ll Do as a Volunteer Peer Counselor

Peer Counselors offer non-judgmental, real-time support to people navigating workplace challenges. Your role is not to give advice—it’s to help individuals feel heard, gain clarity, and identify the next step that feels right for them.

We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds, especially those whose life and career experience allow them to bring perspective, steadiness, and empathy.

After training, you’ll:

• Choose flexible 2-hour remote shifts, available 7AM–7PM PT, Monday–Friday
• Receive live supervisor support during every shift
• Use Empower Work’s AI-powered tools for real-time guidance and post-session feedback
• Earn a LinkedIn-certified Empower Work Peer Counselor Badge after 50 hours of service

What You’ll Learn (5-Week Online Training)

Our structured training program helps you build and refine skills that many retirees say stay with them long after:

• Empathy and emotional attunement
• Active and deep listening
• Powerful open-ended questioning
• Clear, supportive communication

Volunteers often describe these skills as profoundly meaningful—useful in family relationships, community involvement, and everyday life.

Why Retired Volunteers Love This Role

• Make a difference from home. 94% of help seekers report improved mental health; 90% take an action they feel good about afterward.
• Continue growing. Over 95% of volunteers say they gain communication and coaching skills that enrich their personal lives.
• Join a caring national community. You’ll connect with others who are committed to creating healthier workplaces.
• Enjoy true flexibility. Remote, self-scheduled, and designed for volunteers with full lives.

What Help Seekers Say

"I came to this site 3 years ago on the off chance I could just speak to anyone about what was going on with my job. Y'all helped me so much then, and so much today. Thank you for what you do."

“Within an hour, I received the best support I’ve had in my entire life. I’ll never forget that feeling of someone helping me rebuild my sandcastle after every wave had knocked it down.”

“This situation was so difficult for me—I honestly don’t know what I would have done without your counselors. They took it to a positive place and helped me build on it.”

Upcoming 5-Week Training Cohorts

Cohort 23: Apply by 01/11 | Training 01/26–02/27

Cohort 24: Apply by 03/08 | Training 03/16–04/17

Cohort 25: Apply by 05/03 | Training 05/11–06/12

Cohort 26: Apply by 07/05 | Training 07/13–08/14

Cohort 28: Apply by 09/13 | Training 09/21–10/23

Cohort 29: Apply by 10/25 | Training 11/02–12/11

Ready to Make a Difference?

Take just 10 minutes to apply and join our next training cohort:

👉 empowerwork.org/volunteer

Want to Learn More?

📺 Watch our short video: Empower Work: The New Workplace Confidante

https://www.youtube.com/embed/LAD5gJzneZ8

📘 Explore real stories and outcomes:

2024 Impact Report — https://www.empowerwork.org/impact2024

Have questions? We’d love to hear from you: volunteer@empowerwork.org