Volunteer

There are many ways to get involved with The Grief Center, as a group or individually.  With a small staff and over 100 active volunteers, it’s easy to see that those who give their time and talent are the heart of the program.  Volunteers need to be over the age of 21 for work with families at the Center and at Camp Corazón.  Thank you. Your presence here helps others!

President: Paul Casaus (UPS HR Manager)

Vice President: Gabrielle Delgado (Student, Bereavement Facilitator)

Treasurer: Deb Garrison (Principal Support Specialist, APS)

Secretary: Mary Davis (Senior HR Manager, Blake’s Lotaburger)

Immediate Past President: Stephanie Miller (Director of Major Gifts, Animal Humane NM)

Members:

  • Karla Rosales Bush (Attorney)
  • Javier Benavidez (Community Organizer)
  • Judy Labovitz (Community Volunteer)
  • Charlie Verploegh (Director of Kewa Family Wellness Center)
  • Marty Mathisen (CPA specializing in non-profit audits)

Volunteer Support Group Facilitators are the backbone of our program. They lead grief support groups for children, teens, or adults at the Center for Hope and Healing in Albuquerque. Facilitators are trained, teamed up with more experienced facilitators, and supported by our staff. Facilitators come from all walks of life and are not required to have any experience in support groups or counseling. As one of our volunteers wrote, “This is the most rewarding thing I do.” The time commitment is approximately 3.5 hours one evening every other week for 1 school year, after completing the initial training. Bereavement Facilitator Trainings are held every January and August. Registration is $45 for volunteers.  Please visit our training page for current opportunities.  Trainings are accredited with 13 CEUs for Social Workers, Counselors and Psychologists.  There are 2 options for CEUs – 7.5 hours ($150.00) of core childhood bereavement information, OR 13 hours ($260.00) for the entire course which includes information specific to guiding principles at the The Grief Center and is required for those who wish to facilitate the grief support groups.  Thank you. Your presence here helps others!

This group meets the first Thursday of every other month at 6:30 PM. We are currently welcoming new members! For more information about our next meeting, send an email to jorie.weyer@griefnm.org

Our Community Alliance Committee’s goal is to raise funding to support The Grief Center’s free programs and to raise awareness in our communities about services and volunteer opportunities through outreach efforts.

The CA Committee also supports The Grief Center’s annual fundraising events through volunteerism and helps with outreach opportunities that arise throughout the year.

Upcoming meetings:
September 5, 2024
November 7, 2025
January 2, 2025
March 6, 2025
May 1, 2025

Thanks to our great community, at this time our volunteer Administrative Roles are full!

Volunteer Office Support is needed to help the small but tenacious staff by placing phone calls, preparing mailings, entering data and other general office tasks, as well as special projects. Primary responsibilities depend on areas of interest and experience. Please be committed, have good communication skills, and enjoy working with others. Email: info@griefnm.org or call 505-323-0478 to get started!

We need a few friendly faces to volunteer as Hospitality Volunteers. Hospitality Volunteers help serve light meals, and then help clean up afterwards. Volunteers are needed 20 minutes prior to the beginning of our grief support groups at The Grief Center. All the time that is required is about one hour (5:15-6:15pm) on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday nights, or one hour (11:15am-12:15pm) on Wednesdays about every other week, from September through May.

Email: info@griefnm.org or call 505-323-0478 to get started.

Marketing Committee – The most disappointing thing we hear is, “Where were you when I needed you?” Help get the word out about services, events and trainings through social media, press releases, and traditional media outlets. Email: info@griefnm.org or call 505-323-0478 to get started!

Healing Hearts Committee – The annual Healing Hearts Luncheon and Silent Auction is the largest fundraiser for The Grief Center. Volunteers are needed to help secure business sponsors, invite new guests, help promote the event, and solicited silent auction items. Additional support is needed in preparing for the event with packing, organizing silent auction items, and helping on the day of the event. If you like planning special events, are comfortable with asking for donations and want to be apart of this heartwarming luncheon please contact us at info@griefnm.org. Planning starts in September and goes through February.

Do you like to play with and care for preschoolers? Grieving families need your help! We need volunteers twice per month, on a weeknight, from 5:50 PM – 7:30 PM.

Volunteers must: complete an application and provide 3 references; be at least 16 years old; be able to pass a criminal background check; and be able to commit to all 8 group sessions per semester.

Families attending The Grief Center often have younger children who are not old enough to attend support groups. Volunteer childcare providers make sure that preschoolers are safe and cared for while their other family members are in support groups. Childcare providers should be able to play and communicate with them in a developmentally appropriate way. Preschoolers are 2 – 4 years and required to be potty-trained. Childcare providers are paired with another adult partner, so no one is alone with children. There will be no more than 6 preschoolers on any given group night.

Email: info@griefnm.org or call 505-323-0478 to get started.

Looking for a group volunteer opportunity with The Grief Center? Many businesses, youth groups, and civic organizations like to provide their time and energy to help The Grief Center with a one-time project.

These one-day or half-day projects include:

-Keeping the exterior weeded and litter-free.
-Cleaning and sanitizing support group rooms in August and December.
-Assisting with special events held at the Center.
-Helping at our annual Healing Hearts Luncheon held in February

If you would like to learn more about how your group can volunteer at The Grief Center, send an email to info@griefnm.org or call 505-323-0478.