Family Support Group Volunteer Facilitator

Roles of Family Support Group Facilitators:

• Facilitate support groups in such a way as to allow participants to explore and express their grief in a healthy and healing manner.
• Provide a safe, open, non-judgmental and positive space for kids and families.
• Approach grief as an individual and family experience.
• Allow open, non-lecture style, discussions by listening to and honoring the participants’ experience.
• Provide opportunities for participants to express their grief experience through the use of creative expressions.
• Represent Annie’s Hope, overall, in a respectful and positive manner.

Responsibilities of Family Support Group Facilitators:

• Submit an updated background check upon application for Annie’s Hope program volunteerism.
• Attend training and meet with Family Support Group Coordinator prior to facilitating Family Support Groups.
• Plan each week’s focus and activity and communicate with the Family Support Group Coordinator the supplies needed for each meeting at least 24 hours in advance.
• Incorporate a team approach by collaborating with co-facilitators in the planning of each meeting and writing the "Car Ride Home".
• Address the progress/needs/challenges of the participants and the group with Family Support Group Coordinator and other facilitators during scheduled debriefing times.
• Assist in clean-up of group space after meetings.
• Socialize and communicate with kids and parents/guardians of kids during supper and at the end of the evening (and via email or phone call as deemed needed).
• Maintain confidentiality of families during and after program.
• Arrive on time to scheduled meetings and groups.
• Identify yourself as a volunteer by wearing a name tag at all meetings.
• Gain and/or maintain an increased awareness of your (the volunteer’s) personal grief experiences and communicate with the program coordinator any personal challenges and needs that may impact your ability to volunteer effectively within the program.
• Have an active plan for self-care.