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Volunteer Teen Support Group Facilitator

POSITION: Volunteer Teen Support Group Facilitator
DEPARTMENT: Youth & Family Services
REPORTS TO: Youth & Family Services Manager
LOCATION: Lewiston, Maine OR South Portland, Maine

Purpose of Position: Along with a licensed professional counselor, the Volunteer Teen Support Group co-facilitator, is responsible for co-facilitation of support groups for adolescents impacted by cancer at the Dempsey Center.  Group Facilitators help teens connect with one another through virtual groups, adventure days and community events as they discover ways to reduce isolation, learn new coping skills, and find joy and hope. The ideal co-facilitator would have lived experience participating in a support group and/or coping with a cancer impact in their family. Facilitators are responsible for accurately representing the Dempsey Center’s mission and philosophy to the group members and to the general public.

Commitment: At least 1 year and up to three-year commitment to assigned support group.

Time Frame:

  • Length of commitment: at least 1 year
  • Hours required monthly (after placement with a group): 3-5
  • Teen Group currently meets on Tuesday nights, so availability would be necessary from 4:15pm-6:15pm on Tuesdays in person in either South Portland or Lewiston

Details:

  • Volunteer & Group Facilitator Training
  • 1½ hours, at least monthly to facilitate the support group meeting
  • ½ hour after each group to prepare for and process/debrief support group work
  • Facilitator Meetings (4 meetings per year required)
  • Complete a Criminal Background Check Inquiry

Regular Duties Include: 

  • Leading/guiding the support group process
  • Arrive at support group 15 minutes early in order to greet arriving members.  Start and end group meetings on time.
  • Provide adequate notice to Youth & Family Services Manager if unable to attend a meeting due to illness or planned time away, so that a replacement facilitator can be arranged
  • Informing group of CARE guidelines, and fostering adherence
  • Debriefing after support group
  • Fostering a caring and safe atmosphere
  • Providing structure within which the group process will occur
  • Creating safety by keeping boundaries, confidentiality and structure
  • Intervening when necessary
  • Assisting the Center in spreading the word about its programs and volunteer opportunities
  • Participate in volunteer orientation and ongoing training and evaluation

Qualifications:

  • Successfully complete facilitator training
  • Over the age of 18
  • Excellent listening and conversation skills
  • Sensitive to the emotional highs and lows that can accompany the cancer experience
  • Assess distress in group and respond appropriately
  • Self-awareness of one’s own issues and an attitude of responsibility for one’s life (choices, feelings, relationships)
  • High respect for diverse lifestyles, values, beliefs, and ways of moving through the world
  • Attitude of acceptance toward all feelings
  • Exceptional listening skills
  • Empathic and caring, open minded and dependable
  • A healthy sense of humor and ability to play and have fun

General Requirements:

  • Must attend position specific training
  • Must attend Dempsey Experience Training
  • Maintains professional behavior, dress, and appearance at all times while volunteering
  • Must use discretion and protect the confidentiality of all Dempsey Center clients.; HIPAA-specific training will be provided.

Required for All Volunteers:

  • Background check
  • Annual Influenza Immunization or Declination Notice
  • COVID-19 vaccination + Bivalent Booster

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the Dempsey Center
The Dempsey Center promotes a culture of inclusion and seeks talented staff from diverse backgrounds. The Dempsey Center encourages applications from qualified candidates of every age, race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, and veteran status.

At the Dempsey Center, we celebrate diversity, advance equity, and create a culture of respect and belonging built on safety, human dignity, and bravery.