Grief Support Peer Volunteer

Hello!

We are looking for volunteers in the community for our Peer-to-Peer program to provide ongoing grief support to our newly bereaved families. Our volunteers, or Villagers as we call them, are not licensed counselors. They are individuals who have experienced a personal loss of a loved one and have been able to find adjustment to their grief. They provide a sense of comfort, reassurance and the opportunity for newly bereaved individuals to talk and learn about their grief. They act as supporters and meet regularly with their peers to be an additional layer of care.

You can apply here right now: https://carsonsvillage.org/get-involved/become-a-villager/

Our Villagers must participate in 20 hours of training and bi-monthly meetings through Carson’s Village. We match our Villagers with a Peer with intention, hoping to help form meaningful and supportive connections. We ask our Villagers to commit to 1 year of supporting their peer, through phone calls, facetime, or even in-person meet ups for coffee.

Carson’s Villagers play a special role in serving our communities, where grief support is not often found. Many walk this journey alone. Becoming a Villager is a commitment, and we believe that the time and energy that is put into becoming a Villager is returned in the meaning that is found from the peer connection.

If you are interested in supporting another individual on their grief journey, please check out the requirements below.

Requirements

• Desire to assist those who are grieving from a recent loss with empathy and compassion
• Ability to communicate well, both over the phone and/or in person
• Successful adjustment to a personal loss, with no personal loss within the past 24 months
• Ability to successfully complete our 20 hours of initial training (virtual) and self-study
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Review quarterly virtual support trainings and maintain 2+ check-ins with assigned peer per month
• Bi-monthly check-ins with Carson’s Village staff (virtual)
• Interview and completed application, including agreement for a Criminal Background Check