Imagine Trains Nearly 50 Volunteers and Leaders for Grief Support

Imagine, A Center for Coping with Loss, trained nearly 50 community members, adult volunteers and local youth this summer to expand grief support across New Jersey. Union County Life is sharing details from the organization’s announcement. Imagine has centers in Mountainside and Newark.

Newly certified adult facilitators now lead peer support groups for children, teens, young adults and caregivers who are navigating loss. Trained teen volunteers co-facilitate groups for younger children alongside the adult facilitators.

Veronica C. Ortiz, LPC, Training and Education Director, and Abigail Priece, LPC, Clinical Program Supervisor, led the training for 13 community members who became Loss and Grief Specialists. These specialists are prepared to support people in their schools and workplaces who are grieving the loss of someone close to them.

Imagine also trained 12 new adult volunteers to support its children and adult groups. The organization trained 23 new teen facilitators as well. A waitlist of 12 additional teenagers wants to serve as teen facilitators.

One training participant described the experience this way: “Full circle experience with a heart full of gratitude from all the education obtained, wonderful trainers and a magical place. The feeling of empowerment upon completion of the training assures my professional and personal purpose.”

Imagine offers free, year round grief support groups for children ages 3 to 18 and young adults ages 19 to 30 who are coping with a death. Groups are also available for parents and caregivers. Groups are offered in English and Spanish, and Imagine offers virtual groups as well.

Adults who want to train as facilitators can attend the next session, scheduled for Dec. 4 to 6 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. An interest form for adults is available at forms.gle/ekbTyUZdXUFQKfqZ6. Imagine’s next youth training will launch next summer.

To reach Imagine, call 908-264-3100 or email info@imaginenj.org. The website is www.imaginenj.org, and tours can be scheduled at www.imaginenj.org/about/tour. Imagine is a 501(c)(3) organization that offers training and education on loss and grief to the community.

Find more Mountainside events, businesses, and local news on Union County Life.

Q: Is grief support from Imagine free?
A: Yes. Imagine offers free, year round grief support groups for children ages 3 to 18 and young adults ages 19 to 30 who are coping with a death. Groups are also available for parents and caregivers.

Q: Are Imagine’s support groups available in Spanish?
A: Yes. Groups are offered in English and Spanish, and virtual groups are also available.

Q: How can an adult become a grief support facilitator?
A: Adults can attend the next facilitator training, scheduled for Dec. 4 to 6 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. An interest form is available at forms.gle/ekbTyUZdXUFQKfqZ6.

Q: How do I contact Imagine?
A: Call 908-264-3100, email info@imaginenj.org, or visit www.imaginenj.org. Tours can be scheduled at www.imaginenj.org/about/tour.