Virtual Youth Program Facilitator

More parents than ever have cancer. That means more kids are facing the challenge of a parent’s diagnosis. Pickles Group provides free peer-to-peer support and resources for kids and teens whose parents have cancer.

To meet the demand of our kids and families, we need you to help change the status quo for kids whose parents have cancer! That means we’re actively recruiting graduate students with at least one year of experience working with kids, to become skilled volunteer Youth Program Facilitators. You’ll receive high-quality training and hard-to-find professional development opportunities while making a true impact for kids. This unpaid volunteer opportunity is ideal for those interested in youth-oriented, whole-family mental health and healthcare. We offer half-year and full-year volunteer opportunities to help you meet your professional goals.

Pickles Group believes that every family navigating a parent or caregiver’s cancer deserves an equitable opportunity to heal and thrive in life. We invite you to read our full Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access here before you take a look at the opportunities.

At this time, all facilitators must be located in the United States.

Apply to Be a Volunteer

How to Apply

To join us as a Youth Program Facilitator for our Winter 2026 session, complete and submit the volunteer application form by these dates:

• Priority Consideration Deadline: Friday, November 21
• Group assignments made with volunteer preferences in mind.
• Final Deadline: Friday, December 5
• Group assignments made according to organizational needs.

Virtual Youth Facilitator Training Sessions

All new volunteers must attend a training session before they begin:

1. Wednesday, January 4, 2026, 5-7pm CT, Virtual
2. Sunday, January 7 , 12-2pm CT, Virtual

What You’ll Do As a Youth Facilitator:

• Co-lead and actively participate in virtual or in-person activities, games, and structured fun for school-aged kids and teens impacted by parental cancer, separated into groups based on age, development, and circumstances.
• Review curriculum and all materials designed and provided by Kelsey Mora, CCLS, LCPC, our Chief Clinical Officer, to feel prepared to facilitate with ease.
• Support and customize the experience to fit the curriculum and your group.
• Communicate with families about attendance and absences each session.
• Additional Opportunities for extra experience may include:
  • Access to professional development from Chief Clinical Officer
  • Supporting and facilitating for Pickles Group at signature events
  • Attending industry-related conferences as a Pickles representative
  • Relationship-development with prestigious hospital systems
  • Career-specific Family Outreach, like new family referral and intake calls

Qualifications for Role

• Graduate-level students focused on Child Life, Nursing, Oncology, Social Work, Psychology, or other related fields. Similarly-qualified people are welcome to apply.
• At least one year of direct experience working with children and families
• 21 years of age or older
• Must pass a background check
• At this time, all facilitators must be located in the United States.

For more information about about our programming and their time commitments for the 2025-2026 academic year, take a look at the role descriptions.