Imagine Staff Trained Nearly 50 New Community Members & Volunteers This Summer!

This summer marked a season of extraordinary growth at Imagine, A Center for Coping with Loss. The organization's staff trained nearly 50 community members, adult volunteers, and local youth to expand grief support resources across New Jersey. Newly certified adult facilitators are now leading peer support groups for children, teens, young adults, and caregivers navigating loss, while trained teen volunteers co-facilitate groups for younger children alongside adult facilitators.

Training Community Leaders

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Under the leadership of Veronica C. Ortiz, LPC, Training and Education Director, and Abigail Priece, LPC, Clinical Program Supervisor, 13 community members completed training as Loss and Grief Specialists. Armed with practical skills and deep insights, these leaders are now better prepared to support those within their schools and workplaces who are grieving the loss of someone close to them. Here is what participants in the training had to say about the experience:

"This training is genuinely life changing. No matter where you are in life, what you do, what you've experienced, the training truly empowers you in many ways."

"Full circle experience with a heart full of gratitude from all the education obtained, wonderful trainers and a magical place. The feeling of empowerment upon completion of the training assures my professional and personal purpose."

By completing this training, these dedicated community leaders are now equipped with the vital tools and knowledge needed to create compassionate, grief-informed spaces in their schools and workplaces.

Record-Breaking Growth in Peer Support Group Facilitators

Alongside their Loss and Grief Specialist Training, Imagine also hosted two facilitator trainings to train the volunteers required to continue to grow their free peer support group programs.

• 12 new adult volunteers completed training to support Imagine's kids and adult groups.
• 23 new teen facilitators stepped up—a record-breaking group for Imagine!

The enthusiasm among youth was overwhelming, creating a waitlist of 12 additional teenagers eager to serve. Imagine staff shared that they are truly inspired by so many young people choosing to dedicate their time to this critical "heart work."

Look Ahead: Get Involved

While Imagine's next youth training will launch next summer, they're currently making plans to offer their next adult facilitator training December 4-6 from 9am-5pm each day.

Ready to make a meaningful difference in your community?

Complete Imagine's Facilitator Training Interest Form for Adults

Interested community members can learn more by signing up for a tour on their website at www.imaginenj.org/about/tour.

Imagine, A Center for Coping with Loss is a 501c3 that offers training and education on loss and grief to the community and free year-round grief support groups for children ages 3-18 and young adults 19-30 who are coping with a loss due to death. Concurrently, support groups are available for the parents and caregivers of the children in the groups and offered in English and Spanish. Imagine has centers in Newark and Mountainside and offers virtual groups as well. For more information, please contact Imagine at 908-264-3100 or info@imaginenj.org or visit our website at www.imaginenj.org.