Would you like to play an important role in strengthening and nurturing families? Parents Helping Parents (PHP) is recruiting volunteers to serve as facilitators of our parent support groups throughout Massachusetts. A facilitator is a warm, nurturing, and supportive person who is committed to the mutual support model and parent-as-leader concept.

PHP support groups cannot happen without trained, dedicated facilitators to welcome parents, ensure that the groups follow some basic group ground rules, help the parents focus the discussion on how to improve their relationships with their children, and more. During the weekly group meeting, the facilitator encourages open discussion among parent members and sometimes gives information about resources & services that are available in the community for parents. The facilitator's role is critical and essential to furthering our mission to promote and support healthy parent/child relationships and break the cycle of child abuse.

Please get in touch with us if you have good interpersonal and nonjudgmental communication skills and a commitment to child abuse prevention. Previous support group experience is helpful but not required. Volunteers must commit to contributing 2 hours per week for at least 1 year. Parents Helping Parents will provide training and ongoing support and supervision to all volunteer facilitators.

Prospective volunteers must complete an application, participate in a mutual screening process (we get to know you/you get to know us!), and attend our 1 day training program. We require a commitment of one year and volunteers must be prepared to give 2 hours per week. This is an extremely rewarding volunteer opportunity for those who are interested and committed to the cause.

This opportunity is sponsored by: Parents Helping Parents - The Roundtable of Support

Volunteers will work with the following groups Families / Parents Women We need volunteers who are free at these times Weekly This volunteer opportunity is available to the following types of volunteers Adults (26-54) Individual Adults (55+) This volunteer opportunity addresses the following social interests Children & Youth Women's Family Violence We are looking for volunteers with the following skills Counseling / Information Support

I'm interested in this opportunity

Contact Person: Nancy Connolly, Program Director, (617) 926-5008 ext 102, (email) View all agency contacts

Address:

Various Locations State Wide, MA 01432 (See a map)

Directions:

We do not operate from one centralized location, and frequently travel to meet with agencies and volunteers in their communities. Our state resource office is located in Watertown, at 108 Water Street. We are happy to provide directions upon request.   Nearest Bus Stop: 57/502/52, 3 minute walk

This opportunity can also be performed in these locations:

Statewide:		Available throughout all of Massachusetts

Web Site: http://www.parentshelpingparents.org

Overall Experience   
Being a volunteer facilitator has been meaningful and fulfilling.

I volunteer as a facilitator for Parents Helping Parents. I meet weekly at a women's prison group to talk about parenting issues with the residents. I received excellent training and support from the organization, and there is always someone available to discuss issues with that take place in my group. I have learned a lot about group dynamics, improved my listening and reflecting skills, and how to let people take responsibility for their own solutions to problems. posted by Volunteer Facilitator on June 16, 2005