Experienced in-person support group facilitators for sexual and/or domestic abuse (Vernon Hills)

&Rise nonprofit organization is seeking experienced volunteers to lead support groups for women who are survivors of trauma and abuse. We are seeking people who are experienced with facilitating support groups or have a background working with trauma survivors.

Our support groups are growing and we are looking for more mission-driven volunteers to facilitate additional support groups. Our support groups are held for 1.5 hours per session and we require a minimum of 1-year commitment to the nonprofit. We typically work with social workers, counselors, therpists, or people who have experinence working directly with survivors.

We are seeking 1-2 volunteers to hold 1 weekly support group at the Hawthorne Mall for up to 12 women max. This is a new program in the area and will start as a volunteer position with the opportunity to be a paid facilitator if we get enough consistency and attendance to the groups.

Responsibilities:

• Managing the needs of your groups, which includes:
• Facilitating weekly meetings
• Managing and leading groups in a way that is respectful and considerate of all participants
• Ensuring the groups adhere to the company’s views and values
• Providing meaningful content and resources in sessions to group members
• Taking part in initiatives to assist in ongoing product and company development

Requirements

• Experienced mental health professional: grief counselor, behavioral health specialist, relationship counselor, mental health/life coach, social worker, advocate or crisis intervention specialist or related profession
• LPC/LMHC/LCSW/MSW/PsyD/PhD is helpful
• A minimum of one year of experience facilitating groups
• Ability to work independently, as well as contribute to a team
• Strong clinical, interpersonal, and communication skills
• Enthusiastic about taking part in the development of a new product in the mental health space
• Tech-savvy, highly communicative, and the flexibility to work in a fast-paced dynamic environment
• Availability during evening hours
• Fluent in English

Qualifications:

• Trauma-Informed Training: A strong foundational understanding of domestic violence, sexual abuse, and trauma recovery. Must know how to hold space safely without triggering or re-traumatizing members.
• Firm Boundary Management: The ability to strictly enforce group guidelines—such as not allowing group members to interrupt and preventing any one person from dominating the conversation.
• Flawless Professionalism & Reliability: Total commitment to leading by example. They must always show up early, give 100% undivided attention, actively listen, and respond to group members shares.
• Cultural Competency: Deep empathy and specific understanding of the unique stigmas and taboos surrounding mental health and abuse within minority communities.
• Crisis Management & Intuition: The emotional intelligence to handle intense moments, help reground group members, and safely de-escalate sensitive situations.
• Active, Non-Judgmental Listening: The rare skill to listen deeply to painful stories with validation and empowerment, while keeping their own personal biases or unsolicited advice entirely out of the circle.

To learn more about &Rise please visit www.womenrisechicago.org

1 shift available:

• 6-7:30 Tuesdays, weekly