What is a New Song Group Facilitator?
Many New Song Volunteers want to work directly with the families we serve. These are called Group Facilitators. Each facilitator needs 24 hours of training and two sessions of mentoring (or 8 hours) prior to being assigned to a group. Training is offered twice a year. Training is offered several times a year. In order to provide the children and famlies with much needed consistency, we ask each facilitator to make at least a one year commitment. In addition to training and mentoring, all facilitators are fingerprinted; and are provided with in-service education throughout the year.
Support groups are based on the age of the participants. Besides our regular groups for 4-7 year-olds, 8-10 year-olds, 11-13 and 14-17, young adult group for 18-25 year olds, and adult care-givers. Once training is completed, each facilitator is invited to mentor in two different age groups before requesting a permanent placement.
When a loved one dies, the whole family is affected, New Song Center provides family grief support. Children come to New Song with a parent or guardian. Children do not come to New Song without a care-giver. We encourage all siblings to attend, even if only one child appears to be having difficulty dealing with the death. While the children meet in their support groups, adults have a group of their own to gain support and learn how to assist their children.
Each family and each facilitator comes to New Song Center every-other week for group. The facilitators arrive at 5:30 to help set up the rooms for the evening activities and to have their pre-meeting with the Evening Coordinator. Families arrive at 6:30 for a pizza dinner and then group begins at 7:00pm. At 8:15 everyone gathers together to have a closing ceremony. At the end of each group, each facilitator helps clean up and then attends the post-meeting.
Grief can be a challenging process for many children and families. Here at New Song Center, we honor the difficulties associated with grief and believe that each person has the inner strength to heal. Although the stories are sad and tears are shed, we have a lot of fun at New Song. We recognize the whole child and include laughter and play in each group. Being a New Song Center Group Facilitator can be challenging, but it is a very rewarding way to make a difference.
Support Group Facilitator Training
Be a part of a team devoted to helping families continue living in an emotionally healthy way after the death of a loved one. Register for the 22 hour training program designed for professionals and non-professionals and is staffed by Bereavement Specialists. 22 hours of CEU's provided through AZ Counselor's Association.
Click here for a downloadable training flyer. .
Click here for training schedule
If you are interested, please fill out our application or get in touch with us.