Community Grief Response Team Volunteers Needed at Hospice SLO County

Hospice SLO County, a nonprofit organization serving San Luis Obispo County since 1977, is currently seeking volunteers for our Community Grief Response Team.

The Community Grief Response Team provides psychological first aid and support to community organizations that have experienced a death. Services provided may include offering information to survivors about the grief process, providing supportive counseling, and giving referrals for follow-up services. Community grief response services often takes place on short notice.

The death of a coworker, fellow student, or other group member can be just as hard, or harder, than losing a family member. The death can leave the workgroup, classroom or organization at a loss, yet we have very few social guidelines to help us deal with these situations.

Hospice SLO County's Community Grief Response Team provides timely counseling support, consultation, and education about grief and coping with loss, including anticipating a loss and sudden death. Response services are provided to businesses, schools, churches, government and community agencies at no charge. Trained staff and volunteer counselors work with both children and adults, and consult with groups and agencies on the approach that feels most helpful to them. Services are usually provided at the group’s own site, but can be done at another location if more appropriate.

Qualifications: Completion of Community Grief Response Volunteer Training, interview with counseling director. Ability to transport self to site. Active participation in periodic meetings.

Time Commitment: A willingness to be available on an on-call basis and a commitment to be on the team for one year.

Hospice SLO County's Community Grief Response training is offered twice a year.

Training topics covered will include:

• What is community response?
• How do people react to crisis?
• What is psychological first aid?
• The "doing" of community response?

Preregistration is required. Training is free to attend.

Express your interest here: https://hospiceslo.org/volunteer/sign-up

Learn more at www.hospiceslo.org or (805) 544-2266.