Volunteer Facilitator since 2021
Sarah has been volunteering with Erin's House since 2021 and loves helping kids find healthy ways to grieve. We wanted to ask her some questions about her time at Erin's House, and here's what she had to say about being a volunteer facilitator:
1) Why do you volunteer at Erin's House?
I love working with children in all settings, but at Erin's House, there is a level of heart that I cannot find volunteering anywhere else. It is truly a magical place full of heart, healing, and grace between the families and the staff.
2) What's your favorite part about volunteering?
My favorite part about volunteering at Erin's house is the support the children can get from their peers. This support can be found in the common bond between the children; they all know why they and everyone else are at Erin's House. Even if they choose not to share during group, they still are in a room with their peers who are going through similar situations. Genuine relationships are fostered when children have a level of commonality and vulnerability. I have been fortunate enough to see it with my own eyes.
3) What have you learned while being here at Erin's House?
I have learned so much while at Erin's House. I had people in my life die before I started facilitating at Erin's House and after. I have processed my grief in dramatically different ways since volunteering here. Since becoming a facilitator, I have had the opportunity to take the skills I facilitate to others to help me process my grief. We all struggle through grief, so when I help a child, they help me too.
4) What is your favorite Healing Heart activity?
The Healing Heart activities are always so creative! My favorite one would have to be when we mixed different colors of play dough to make brown and threw the play dough at a toilet seat. The topic was "grief stinks," and it helped the children understand that sometimes grief just plain stinks.
5) What is your favorite room at Erin's House?
My favorite room at Erin's House has to be the Quiet Room. I like to use that room as a calm space to sit with the group, look at the twinkly stars, and see what conversations arise naturally. The setting's tranquil atmosphere can foster some great discussions.
6) Lastly, what is your favorite Erin's House memory?
My favorite memory at Erin's House was the Holiday Gathering this past December. I was honored to be in charge of the karaoke station and saw the families let loose. Mariah Carey didn't stand a chance.
Erin's House is thankful to have Sarah on our team of volunteer facilitators. We couldn't keep programs and camps going without the help of these amazing individuals!
If you feel motivated to walk alongside children and teens on their grief journeys as a volunteer group facilitator, we invite you to fill out a volunteer application. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Ellen Roemke, Director of Volunteers, if you have any additional questions: Ellen@ErinsHouse.org or 260.423.2466.