Imagine Empowers New Cohort of Grief Support Facilitators

Pictured Above - Back Row L-R-Joy Wormser, Stephanie Ponterio, Samaa Hussein, Robyn Wade, Juan Escobar, Erica Rodriguez, Craig Glickstein, Zhanna Seideman and Mike Graziano. Front Row L-R - Zariah Moon-Torkpo, Rene Watkins, Elaine Harrison-Yau, Bryanna Fleischman, Aixa Carmona and Gladys Collazo

As the need for grief support services continues to grow, Imagine, A Center for Coping with Loss, recently welcomed 15 new community members to its team of over 150 volunteer facilitators. Led by Imagine staff members Abigail Priece and Kellie Saracino, these volunteers completed an intensive, three-day training to become facilitators for Imagine’s peer support groups.

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The comprehensive training focuses on Dr. Alan Wolfelt’s "Companioning Model" of grief support—a philosophy that emphasizes "walking alongside" those who are grieving rather than attempting to "fix" their pain.

A unique and vital component of the training invites participants to share their own stories of loss. Imagine implements this for two primary reasons: first, to create a safe space for support for the volunteers’ own losses, and second, because Imagine believes the most effective way to learn facilitation is to experience the power of a peer support group firsthand. By sharing their journeys, new volunteers learn the profound impact of listening and the vulnerability required of the families they will soon serve.

The impact of this immersive experience was reflected in the participants' testimonials:

·“Everything had meaning and purpose, nothing felt unnecessary or boring.”

·“I feel a lot of peace that Imagine exists. It's an honor to play a part at Imagine. Also, Abigail and Kellie are incredible...thank you for holding space for me and my grief.”

·“I learned so much that it is hard to pick one thing.The whole training challenged how I think, and I felt so fortunate to have started with a group of strangers and be able to create that kind of trust with each other.I think that aspect of the weekend was truly extraordinary. “

To meet the rising demand for free grief support groups for children, teens, young adults, and caregivers, Imagine is actively seeking to grow its facilitator teams in both Newark and Mountainside.

Imagine is currently inviting adults and high school-aged teens to consider joining one of two upcoming training sessions in August:

·Adult Facilitator Training: August 7–9 (9:00 am– 5:00 pm daily)

·Youth Facilitator Training (High School Students): August 26–27 (10:00 am– 2:00 pm daily)

Space in the trainings is limited. If you are interested in joining this incredible team of volunteers, please visit www.imaginenj.org to submit a volunteer interest form or sign up for a tour to learn more.

“We are so grateful to welcome this new team of volunteers,” said Abigail Priece. “Their willingness to transform their own experiences into a source of support for others is what makes our community of empathy and support so impactful.”

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