Peer Group Facilitator

The Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support Centre is a registered charity based in Calgary, Alberta, serving the loss community worldwide. 

Our mission is to support and connect individuals of all identities, backgrounds or circumstances, who have experienced the trauma around miscarriage, stillbirth, termination for medical reasons (T.FM.R) neonatal loss, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), or infertility. 

We acknowledge that the journey through loss towards healing is as complex as it is individual. As such, we offer many no-cost pathways to healing including a helpline, peer support, and professional coaching/counseling.

THE ROLE:
The Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support Groups are specialized groups offered to support every stage of the loss journey. Our groups are designed for folks so that they can access support and guidance for what resonates most in the current season of their life. Our support groups are our largest program offering at PILSC. We have over 15 specialized groups at every stage of the loss journey. All our support groups are free to attend and are affirming and trauma informed spaces.

The group facilitator volunteer role is to offer peer support to individuals through the Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support Centre. 

We strive to train our facilitators to feel informed, supported and grounded in this work so that they are able to hold space for the deep work of supporting grief and loss within the peer-support model of group work.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR PEER FACILITATORS FOR THE FOLLOWING GROUPS:

GENERAL GROUP FACILITATION (Virtual/Hybrid Options)
We are always looking for new group facilitators for our 15+ specialized support groups.
- Co-facilitate support groups on a weekly or monthly basis (drop-in groups)
- Back-up for groups as a safety person in the event of cancellation

2SLGBTQIA+ FERTILITY AND LOSS GROUP (Virtual)
This is a casual peer support group that provides a safe, non-judgmental space for those who identify within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. This group holds space for the diverse ways that 2SLGBTQIA+ parents build their families (ie: assisted fertility, surrogacy, chosen family, adoption) and/or experience loss on their paths to parenthood. We recognize that all parents need a safe and affirming space to navigate their journey.

SOCIAL CONNECTIONS (In-Person)
Social Connection Groups are not support groups, they are groups that allow for connection in a social setting. These groups run in-person on a monthly basis at a chosen location. We have Social Connection Groups for Adults Only and Family Friendly. The role of the facilitator is to cultivate community in an informal setting to foster connection. This could be at our centre in downtown Calgary, or at an external place like a park or coffee shop.

Experience/Skills/Qualifications:
- Personal experience of pregnancy/infant loss (required)
- Time management skills
- Organizational skills
- Ability to redirect conversation with empathy and understanding
- Confident
- Friendly and open
- Inclusive
- Ability to receive feedback and implement feedback give

Length of time/level of commitment:
- You will facilitate/co-facilitate one monthly and/or weekly support group for approx. 2 hours a session
- One year commitment
- Opportunities for both remote/virtual and in-person facilitation