Heart Circle Volunteer Facilitator

This volunteer role supports Maybelle members by facilitating a weekly Heart Circle—a sacred, intentional space for open, honest, and compassionate sharing. As our regular facilitator is unable to lead consistently, we are seeking a volunteer to steward this space with care, presence, and heart, ensuring it remains available each week for members seeking connection, reflection, and belonging.

Heart Circle is rooted in a tradition of fostering resilient community through healing, trust, and unconditional listening. While not a form of therapy, the practice of speaking from the heart and being witnessed without interruption can be deeply meaningful and transformative.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Hold and facilitate a weekly Heart Circle in alignment with established guidelines and values.
• Open and close the circle on time, helping create a sense of safety, flow, and containment.
• Gently introduce the Heart Circle guidelines and support participants in honoring them.
• Maintain a sacred, respectful, and non-judgmental space where all participants are welcome to share—or not share.
• Support the use of a talking object (talisman) to ensure each person has uninterrupted time to be witnessed.
• Uphold confidentiality and model integrity, presence, and compassion.
• Communicate with staff as needed regarding attendance, space needs, or support.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to hold space with empathy, calm presence, and emotional awareness.
• Comfort with silence, deep listening, and non-directive facilitation.
• Respect for diverse identities, lived experiences, beliefs, and emotional expressions.
• Strong sense of boundaries and confidentiality.
• Reliability and commitment to consistent weekly facilitation.
• Prior experience with Heart Circles, sharing circles, group facilitation, mindfulness, or similar practices is strongly preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to sit comfortably in a circle for up to one hour.
• Ability to communicate verbally and visually with participants.
• Ability to pass or receive a talking object within the circle.

ORIENTATION AND TRAINING

• Volunteers will receive an orientation to the organization and role-specific training for engaging in the Community Room.
• Orientation and training materials are currently available only in English.
• Ongoing support and supervision will be provided by the Volunteer Coordinator.
• Your orientation and training will take place prior to your first volunteer shift.

TIME COMMITMENT

• SCHEDULE: Thursdays, 11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
• Consistent weekly availability is essential to support continuity and trust within the group.
• There may be flexibility to reschedule the session based on your availability if this opportunity strongly aligns with your interests and experience.

ORIENTATION AND TRAINING

• Volunteers will receive an orientation to Maybelle Center.
• Training will include review of Heart Circle principles, group agreements, and guidance specific to facilitating Heart Circle within our community.
• Ongoing support will be provided by the Volunteer Coordinator and relevant staff.
• Training will take place prior to leading the first session.
• Orientation and training materials are currently available in English only.

ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT

Heart Circle takes place in our Classroom at Maybelle Center, a welcoming and inclusive space designed for connection. During Heart Circle, the room is intentionally arranged to support calm, focus, and shared presence. Volunteers will have staff support available before and after each session as needed.