New Jersey Grief Center Trains Volunteers to Help Families

When a child loses someone they love, having a safe space to share their grief can change everything.

Imagine, A Center for Coping with Loss, recently celebrated its volunteers at a potluck dinner in Mountainside, New Jersey. The theme was Seasons of Gratitude, honoring the volunteers who make free grief support possible for hundreds of families across the state.

These volunteers do more than welcome families or clean up after support groups. Most serve as trained facilitators who create safe spaces where kids, teens, young adults, and caregivers can process loss together.

Now Imagine is opening its doors to new volunteers. The nonprofit is offering two three-day training sessions in March and May to address rising demand for grief support services at its Mountainside and Newark centers.

The training runs Friday through Monday, 9am to 5pm each day. The March session happens March 13-15, and the May option runs May 1-3. Both teach "companioning skills" that help facilitators walk alongside grieving people without trying to fix or solve their pain.

No previous experience is required. Imagine looks for people ready to listen, willing to serve, and comfortable being present with children and adults in grief without offering unsolicited advice.

The Ripple Effect

The need for grief support has grown significantly. Imagine now serves children as young as three and young adults up to 30, offering groups in English and Spanish both in-person and virtually.

When volunteers complete this training, they join a team ensuring no child waits for support when they need it most. Each new facilitator means more families can access free, professional grief support year-round.

The training equips volunteers with skills that extend beyond Imagine's centers. These companioning techniques help in everyday life when friends, neighbors, or coworkers face loss.

Interested volunteers can complete an interest form at imaginenj.org or contact Imagine at 908-264-3100. The organization also provides grief education and training to the wider community.

Because of volunteers like these, no one in New Jersey has to grieve alone.