At The Children’s Room, our commitment to supporting children, teens, and families who have experienced a loss is deeply connected with the dedication and involvement of our community, grounded in the essential skills we collectively share.
Each year, over 50 volunteers dedicate their time and energy to significantly impacting our grief support work. These volunteers serve as vital members of the TCR community, offering their caring presence and willingness to support families in their grief. Guided by our licensed staff, trained volunteer facilitators act as compassionate companions, providing invaluable support to children and adults alike. Our comprehensive Volunteer Facilitator Training provides trainees with the essential skills necessary to serve as effective facilitators in our family peer support groups, covering topics such as grief education, childhood development, group dynamics, essential skills, and more.
In both life and death, there are strengths needed to nurture connections. At TCR, we recognize these strengths as essential skills that are important for our peer support work as we foster safe and supportive spaces. Whether volunteer, staff member, board member, or extended members of the community, our hope is for all to embrace and apply these skills in their everyday lives as we expand our capacity to support others.
Awareness – Essential to our work is the cultivation of awareness. Individuals learn to recognize and honor their own internal thoughts, feelings and unique experiences, as well as develop an understanding for the awareness of others’ unique experiences and feelings around their loss. We value a safe and supportive space for families to explore and experience their grief journey authentically.
Reflection – Reflection is another theme in our work. Through guided reflection, mindfulness exercises and group discussions, we strive to deepen understanding of the grief process and enhance capacity for empathy and connection. Reflection of self and others allows individuals to deepen their understanding and provide more stability as they support others.
Communication – Effective communication is foundational to grief work––listening actively, speaking empathetically, and conveying warmth and understanding are invaluable skills. By intentionally practicing different ways to communicate with kids, teens and adults, we strive to create an environment where grief work feels approachable, and families feel heard, understood, and supported in their grief journey.
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Volunteers remain integral to our mission as we look to the future. Their time, energy, and dedication make a lasting difference in the lives of families who are grieving, providing a safe environment of compassion and understanding when needed most. Together, we are grateful for the commitment of our volunteers and the positive impact they continue to make in our community.
Interested in becoming a volunteer? Learn more about our Volunteer Facilitator Training and Sign Up Today!
