Peer Counselor

Become a Peer Counselor for Older Adults

As people age, they may face increased loneliness, grief, and health challenges that affect their quality of life. You can make a difference. Diakon’s Peer Counseling Program connects trained volunteers with older adults to offer companionship, emotional support, and community resource guidance, helping them feel seen, heard, and valued.

What You’ll Do

• Build meaningful connections through regular check-ins by phone, video, or in-person.
• Offer support through open conversations about:
  • Loneliness, grief, and life changes
  • Favorite hobbies, books, music, and memories
  • Health tips and wellness encouragement
  • Connect clients to community resources like meals, rides, or social activities

What You’ll Learn

All volunteers receive training to feel confident and prepared. Topics include:

• Active listening & communication
• Mental health awareness
• Understanding aging challenges
• Crisis response and referral
• Ethics and confidentiality

Volunteer self-care and boundaries