Facilitator Training, Grief Support for Children and Teens

January 2026 Facilitator Training

About this Training

Based on the Dougy Center (dougy.org) Model, an internationally recognized, evidence-based educational platform supporting grieving youth and their families, the goal of this interactive, dynamic training is to prepare volunteer facilitators to hold supportive space for bereaved youth and their caregivers. It is also available for mental health professionals who wish to understand grief and loss for young people more deeply.

About our Groups

Josie's Place / SYS Grief Circles offers no-cost, peer-based support groups to children, teens, young adults, and their parents/caregivers in the SF Bay Area, both virtually and in-person with an emphasis on in-person. These groups meet either 2x monthly on a year-round basis or once a week for a set number of weeks. Facilitators companion young people through their unique experiences of grief, prioritizing connection and validation. A typical group includes discussion, art activities, and social games. See application for more details.

Volunteer Facilitators

We are looking for folks who have experience working with children and/or teens, experience with death and grief, and/or a sincere interest in this work.

We wish to increase the diversity of our team. Men, people from historically marginalized communities, and bilingual Spanish speakers are encouraged to apply.

Applicants must be willing to make a minimum of a one-year commitment to Josie's Place, and longer is desired.

Training Dates & Requirements

Please mark your calendars now if you plan to apply.

January 8 Zoom 6-8:30pm

January 10 In-person 10am-4pm

January 24 In-person 10am-4pm

January 3 In-person 10am-4pm

Location in-person: Outer Sunset, San Francisco

Applicants must be able to attend all four training dates as stated above.

Training Cost & Volunteer Commitment:

We are a small program operating no-cost groups to San Francisco families. We rely on community support to sustain this work. This pricing structure offsets our costs.

Volunteer Facilitators $200 with 1-yr minimum volunteer commitment.

Professional Development $700 with no volunteer commitment.

Links to Online Application:

Please choose the appropriate application for your purposes:

Volunteer Facilitator Application

Professional Development Only Application

Volunteer Facilitator Training

Volunteer Facilitators

Our grief support groups for kids, teens, young adults, and their caregivers are facilitated by a team of volunteers who have undergone our bereavement training and have made a minimum one-year commitment to Josie's Place. We are always looking for folks who have experience working with children and/or teens, experience with death and grief, and/or sincere interest in this work to join our facilitation team based in San Francisco.

We wish to increase the diversity of our team. Men and people of color are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be willing to make a minimum of a one-year commitment to Josie's Place, and longer is desired.

If you are interested in volunteering or working with us and/or learning more information, please reach out to us at josiesplace@sunsetyouthservices.org or use the Contact Form.

Financial assistance is available.

Josie's Place facilitators

Josie's Place offers grief support for children and teens in San Francisco

January 2026 Facilitator Training

About this Training

About our Groups

Volunteer Facilitators

Training Dates & Requirements

Volunteer Facilitator Training

Volunteer Facilitators