Volunteer
Be there for someone when they need it most
Grief is one of the most universal human experiences — and one of the loneliest. At Our House NYC, our volunteers are the heart of our grief support services. Volunteer Group Leaders co-facilitate grief support groups every other week. They show up, session after session, to hold space for people navigating some of the hardest moments of their lives. If you've ever wanted your time to matter in a deep and lasting way, we'd love for you to join us as a Volunteer Group Leader.
This role may be a fit for you if you are compassionate, kind and a good listener. No experience needed, just a desire to make an impact on your community.
Upcoming trainings
August - Adult Volunteer Group Leader Training —
August 20, 5pm - 9pm
August 22, 9am - 5pm
October - Adult Volunteer Group Leader Training —
October 20, 5pm - 9pm
October 22, 9am - 5pm
Self-paced learning modules compliment the training hours above to bring the total number of hours in training to 20.
Start the process
Please complete the inquiry form above and attend one of our upcoming info sessions. If you are accepted and you want to move forward, we will register you in an upcoming training to become a Volunteer Group Leader.
Each training is 20 hours long, through a mix of virtual and in-person sessions. Training includes:
Grief Education
Awareness of your own grief process
Understanding the Our House model
Upon successful completion of the application process, trainees are offered placement as volunteer group leaders. All volunteers will be asked to complete a background check prior to group assignment.
What does a volunteer group leader do?
Volunteer Group Leaders co-facilitate peer grief support groups for people who have experienced the death of someone close. Working alongside a co-leader, you'll help create a welcoming environment where group members can share their experiences, express their feelings, and support one another through their grief journey.
In practice, this means guiding conversation using open-ended questions, gently redirecting when needed, and debriefing with your co-leader after each session. Your role as a volunteer is to listen deeply, ask meaningful questions, and keep the focus on the people in group.
All volunteer group leaders receive comprehensive training and ongoing clinical supervision.
The commitment is approximately 1-year, with 10–12 hours per month spent in service to community. Currently, all groups are in person. We may offer virtual groups in the future, but we don’t presently.
Two volunteer tracks: Serving adults or serving children & teens
We have two tracks: one to become a volunteer group leader for adults and one to become a volunteer group leader for children and teens.
For group leaders in the Adult Grief Support track, time will be spent co-facilitating a grief group twice a month in the evenings and in regular volunteer trainings and supervision sessions.
For group leaders in the track for children and teens, time with either be spent in our Family Support Program (twice a month in the evenings) or our School-Based Support Program (once a week during the day for 10 weeks) plus time in regular trainings and supervision sessions.
Learn more about our Programs.
As a volunteer, I have seen members begin group unable to speak about the death of their person . . .
At the end of the sessions, I have had the privilege of witnessing a transformation where people recognize they have a community of grievers in which to share their pain. The grief remains, but they see they are not alone.
-Allison, Volunteer Group Leader
Frequently Asked Questions
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Many of our volunteers have experienced the death of someone close, but others have not. If you have experienced a significant loss, we do ask that you be at least two years past the passing of your loved one so you can hold space for others without being destabilized.
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Every volunteer completes approximately 20 hours of training led by our clinical team that covers grief theory, facilitation skills, group dynamics, safety protocols, and the Our House approach to peer support. Volunteers also participate in ongoing supervision throughout the year.
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No. Most of our volunteers are not clinicians. We look for compassionate, dependable people who are good listeners and willing to learn our model.
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No. Every support group is co-facilitated by two trained Volunteer Group Leaders and supported by licensed clinical staff. You will be matched with a co-lead based on a combination of your expressed preferences, program needs, and clinical staff placement decisions.
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No. Our House provides peer support, not therapy. Volunteer Group Leaders create a safe, welcoming environment where participants can share their experiences and connect with others who understand. Clinical staff oversee all programs and are available whenever additional support is needed.
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Depending on program needs and your interests, you may co-lead an adult grief support group, a Family Support Program group for children and caregivers, or a school-based grief support group. Final placements are made by our clinical team after training.
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We know that unforeseen circumstances arise and we have protocols in place in case a volunteer must miss a session. In all programs, please communicate absences as early as possible.
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You'll be invited to attend a Volunteer Information Session where you'll learn more about Our House, the volunteer role, training, and next steps. If you decide the role is a good fit, you'll then be invited to complete the full application process.
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There is no compensation for leading a group. This is strictly a volunteer opportunity.
