*Our Open and Closed Support Groups run on a weekly or semi-weekly basis in the evenings with 1-2 Facilitators leading each group. Groups last 1.5 hours in length and volunteers are required to meet before and after group to plan and debrief (up to a 2-hour commitment total for 1 group).

​

Our Group Facilitators lead open and closed support groups for individuals who have experienced a loss through the death of a loved one; leading peer-to-peer support delivery with compassion and understanding in a non-judgmental environment.

​

• Establish and maintain physical and emotional and social/cultural safety

• Provide socio-emotional support and connect group members with additional resources

• Promote, initiate and guide interactions that are characterized by equality and non-judgment

• Role model in the expression of authentic emotion and respectful, empathetic interactions

• Listen empathetically by giving your full attention to the speaker

• Journey alongside members as they navigate their grief and mourn the loss of their loved one

• Reassure group members of the individual nature of grief

• Observe group members’ expressions and reactions

• Identify, intervene and help to resolve conflict

• Explore opportunities for growth and change

​​

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

​

• Facilitators must be 18 years of age or older

• For the Closed Groups, we ask our Facilitators to commit to 8 weeks in order to provide group members with consistency

• Having lived experience with loss and being on a journey of healing is required to provide peer support to participants

• A 1-year commitment is preferred

• A background in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology or related disciplines is preferred

• Access to a computer device in a private, quiet room with internet (for virtual groups) is required

• Being able to demonstrate compassion, inclusivity, authenticity, adaptability, integrity, non-judgment, self-disclosure, resiliency, and self-management

• A Vulnerable Sector Police Check will be required prior to facilitating groups or doing one-on-one peer support sessions

• Applicants must commit to an online and in-class/virtual volunteer facilitator training if selected as a successful applicant

• Please assess your self-readiness prior to applying

Are you interested in connecting with community members? Do you like to work independently? If so, this is the perfect opportunity for you! 

 

Our Intakes and Administrative Support volunteer acts as the primary contact person to all incoming service requests and are an integral member of our team.

​

• ​​Directs phone calls and emails to appropriate staff

• Replies to email and telephone inquiries in an empathetic and professional manner

• Inputs client intake information into SalesForce (training provided)

• Schedules meetings and appointments in SalesForce (training provided)

• Handles sensitive information in a confidential manner

​​

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS​

​​​

• High school diploma or equivalent

• Must be 18 years of age or older

• An up-to-date (within the past 12 months of applying) Vulnerable Sector Check will be required

• A 6-month commitment of 2-5 days per week is preferred

• Excellent telephone and typing skills

• Exceptional time management skills and ability to multi-task and prioritize work

• Attention to detail and problem-solving skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Strong organizational and planning skills

Plays a supportive role in all or some of the following: marketing, ticket sales, event setup and ushering, finding and confirming and/or being a guest speaker, fund development, and activity table leadership. Please include on your application what you would like to support us in for future events. Responsibilities and Qualifications/Requirements vary depending on your interest(s).

​​​

• Sound knowledge of the organization's mission, vision, values, and services (training provided)

• Unload equipment and set up venues for events, including chairs, tables, refreshments, and more

• Ushering incoming guests and informing them of event specifications (washroom locations, refreshment table, etc.)

• Ensuring event areas are clean and organized

• Assuming the role of Ticket Taker and welcoming guests

• Setting up lighting and sound equipment

• Ensure that all decorations have been set up properly

• Find venue options and schedule speakers

• Research vendors (catering, decorators, musicians, etc.) and choose the best combination of quality and cost

​​

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS​

​​​

• High school diploma or equivalent

• Must be 18 years of age or older

• An up-to-date (within the past 12 months of applying) Vulnerable Sector Check will be required

• Experience in event set up and coordination an asset

• Own form of transportation to and from events

• Excellent time management skills and ability to multi-task and prioritize work

• Exceptional interpersonal skills and a friendly demeanor

• Understanding of and sensitivity to grief and bereavement

• Ability to perform under stress

• Conflict management skills

• Strong organizational and planning skills

Volunteer Peer Supporters facilitates individual peer-support sessions (each session is a maximum of 30 minutes long and there are 8 sessions in total) for individuals who have experienced a loss through the death of a loved one. They lead peer-to-peer support delivery with compassion and understanding in a non-judgmental environment.

​​​

• Ensure program delivery is consistently met

• Establish and maintain physical, emotional, and social/cultural safety

• Promote, initiate and guide interactions that are characterized by equality and non-judgment

• Model the expression of authentic emotion while being respectful and empathetic

• Observe expressions and reactions

• Provide or identify healthy coping strategies

• Provide socio-emotional support and connect individuals with additional resources

• Identify, intervene and help to resolve conflict

• Explore opportunities for growth and change

​​

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS​

​​​

• Must be 18 years of age or older

• Having experienced a loss and being able to share that lived experience in a positive manner with others is preferred

• Access to a telephone in a private, quiet room

• Group facilitation required as a pre-requisite for about 4 months or 8-10 group facilitation sessions

• A background in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or related disciplines is preferred

• Be able to demonstrate the following traits: compassion, social inclusion, integrity, non-judgment, adaptability, self-disclosure, resiliency, and self-management

• A Vulnerable Sector Police Check will be required prior to your first session

• Applicants must commit to an online and two in-class/virtual volunteer training if selected 

• A 6-month commitment is required, 1 year is preferred

• Please assess your self-readiness prior to applying

Are you interested in community engagement? Do you want to bring about effective changes in your community? Looking to make a lasting difference? If so, then the Centre for Grief and Healing (BFO-H/P) has the perfect placement opportunity for you! 

 

Post-secondary students have the opportunity to fill the above roles and more. Please see below for a complete list of positions and/or areas offered for student placements:

​​​

• Peer Support Group Facilitator (in conjunction with Administrative Assistant role)

• Peer Support Worker (in conjunction with Administrative Assistant role)

• Research and Statistics

• Fundraising and Grant Writing

• Community Outreach and Event Support

• Intakes and Administrative Support

• Volunteer Coordinator Support (in conjunction with Administrative Assistant role)

​​

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS​

​​​

• Position qualifications and requirements vary per role for student placements - please see above for a brief overview or contact the Volunteer Coordinator to obtain a detailed layout of role responsibilities and requirements

• Must be 18 years of age or older

• Having experienced a loss and being able to share that lived experience in a positive manner with others is preferred

• A background in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology or related disciplines (i.e., Community Service) is an asset

• Be able to demonstrate the following traits: compassion, social inclusion, integrity, non-judgment, adaptability, self-disclosure, resiliency, and self-management

• A Vulnerable Sector Police Check will be required

• Please assess your self readiness prior to applying

​

HOW TO APPLY

*Please follow the guidelines set out by your program first to ensure you are applying correctly.

 

Combine your cover letter and resume, and complete our volunteer application to submit them to the Volunteer Manager at: volunteering@bereavedfamilies.ca with the subject line as the position you are interested in. 

​

If you are applying for the "Research and Statistics" or "Fundraising and Grant Writing" position, please follow the above and send your documents to the Executive Director at: executivedirector@bereavedfamilies.ca.​

​​