As a Peer Support Volunteer, you will provide emotional support, empathy, and a listening presence to individuals and families who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss. Drawing from your own lived experience, you’ll offer one-on-one or group-based support, helping others feel seen, heard, and less alone in their grief.

Responsibilities:

• Offer compassionate, non-judgmental support via phone, loss-specific online group, or in-person meetings

• Uphold personal and professional boundaries in all interactions

• Maintain confidentiality and respect each family's unique grief journey

• Participate in ongoing training, reflection, and supervision

• Collaborate with fellow volunteers and staff to ensure safe, inclusive support

Qualifications:

• Personal experience with pregnancy or infant loss (your own or as a close loved one)

• Ability to listen deeply without trying to “fix” or minimize grief

• Willingness to reflect on your own healing process and maintain self-awareness

• Commitment to empathy, inclusivity, and trauma-informed care

Time Commitment: Flexible; typically 2–4 hours per month, with additional time for training and meetings as needed.

The Peer Support Volunteer plays a vital role in providing compassionate, empathetic support to individuals and families who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss. Volunteers offer a listening ear, shared understanding, and companionship on the grief journey, creating a safe space for bereaved individuals to express their feelings, share memories, and receive validation from someone who “gets it.” By joining our team, you’ll help ensure that no one has to grieve alone.

Responsibilities:

• Provide emotional support through one-on-one phone calls, online meetings, or in-person (as appropriate) to individuals who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss.
• Listen actively, showing empathy and compassion, and creating a safe, non-judgmental space for individuals to share their grief.
• Share your own experiences in a supportive and respectful manner, when appropriate, to help normalize and validate the individual’s feelings.
• Support participants in finding resources and encourage self-care practices that align with their unique grief journey.
• Communicate and collaborate with PAIL Network staff, sharing updates as needed while respecting the privacy and confidentiality of participants.
• Complete initial and ongoing training to enhance skills, including workshops on grief, trauma-informed care, and cultural sensitivity.

Qualifications:

• Personal experience with pregnancy or infant loss and a desire to support others going through similar experiences.
• Excellent listening and communication skills, with the ability to provide empathetic, non-judgmental support.
• Respect for confidentiality and boundaries, with an understanding of the importance of privacy in peer support relationships.
• Ability to commit to regular volunteer sessions, showing reliability and consistency.
• Willingness to participate in training, supervision, and support meetings as needed.

Training and Support:

• Comprehensive training on topics such as grief, trauma-informed care, effective communication, and cultural sensitivity.
• Ongoing support from PAIL Network staff and access to additional training opportunities.
• Regular check-ins and debriefing sessions to support volunteers in their role.

If you have experienced pregnancy or infant loss and feel called to support others on their grief journey, we encourage you to apply. By sharing your understanding, compassion, and empathy, you can help ensure that bereaved individuals know they are not alone.