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Date: 8/28/2019
WILBRAHAM – Rick’s Place in Wilbraham is looking for locals to volunteer to be facilitators in supporting children who are suffering with grief. Rick’s Place is a non–profit that provides support to grieving children and their families after a loved one has passed.
After applying to become a volunteer, facilitators will first go through a weekend-long intensive training. The trainings will take place on Sept. 6 from 5 to 9 p.m., Sept. 7 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sept. 8 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Rick’s Place, which is located at 85 Post Office Park, Suite 8521 in Wilbraham.
Following their participation in the training, volunteers will provide support to grieving children and teens, who range from ages four to 18. Children and teens are grouped with their same age peers to take part in activities that are designed to encourage conversation and assist them in their grief journey.
“Most [volunteers] facilitate peer groups at our on-site program in Wilbraham, others support our staff with grief groups in area schools and some do both,” Rick’s Place Executive Director Diane Murray told Reminder Publishing.
New volunteers are matched with an experienced facilitator to lead a group of eight to 10 children or teens in activities that can include arts and crafts, journaling, games and more. All of the activities are pre-planned and prepared by the Rick’s Place staff.
“A volunteer facilitator should have an affinity for children and teens. Individuals who present with a consistent, caring, warm, approachable presence, with the ability to work on feeling level around the issues of death, dying and bereavement is essential,” Murray explained.
Murray shared that current volunteers at Rick’s Place are community members and student interns. Volunteers must be at least 20 years old.
Most Rick’s Place volunteers work at their on-site program which meets every other Tuesday evening throughout the school year. Volunteers arrive at 5:45 p.m. and stay until 8 p.m. Some volunteers support staff in schools. These groups meet for eight consecutive weeks during the school day. Finally, some volunteers help Rick’s Place by preparing projects and helping with events instead of working directly with children.
Volunteers are needed from September through May 2020. To apply to become a volunteer, download a volunteer application form at www.ricksplacema.org and email it or mail it to 85 Post Office Park, Suite 8521 Wilbraham, MA 01095, or diane.ricksplace@gmail.com. For more information, contact Rick’s Place at 279-2010.