Volunteer Group Leaders
Volunteer group leaders are extraordinary people who make a big difference in the lives of grieving children and adults. OUR HOUSE is able to serve thousands of people every year thanks to the dedication and generous hearts of our volunteers.
Our volunteers co-lead support groups at our centers and community sites in Los Angeles and New York City. Our volunteers co-lead support groups in the evenings in our West Los Angeles and Woodland Hills centers or during the day and evenings at various school and community sites in the greater Los Angeles area. In New York City, our center near Bryant Park is now open and actively holding grief support groups—we are in great need of volunteers to support our growing community.
We ask for a minimum one-year commitment to co-lead a group every other week in-house or once per week for short-term groups held in the schools/community locations. In addition, all volunteers attend group supervision conducted by our clinical staff once every other week. The average time commitment, including group meeting time and supervision, is about 10-15 hours per month.
Meet Our Longest Serving Volunteers
Group Leader Volunteer Training Dates
LA Training Dates
NYC Training Dates
Adult Group Leader Training
Application Update
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with us. Unfortunately, at this time we are not processing applications for the Adult English volunteer program. You are welcome to complete the application for our future review, most likely in the March/April timeframe. You are also welcome to check back with us in March or April, and complete the application at that time.
(Thursdays over Zoom)
Children & Teen Group Leader Training
Choose one of the upcoming 4-day training sessions:
(Daytime availability required to lead a 10-Week Group in a School in the Greater LA Area)
January 15, 23, 24 & 26 — 9:00am – 4:30pm
Day 1: Jan 15 on zoom
Day 2 & 3: Jan 23, 24 in person, West LA
Day 4 (upon acceptance): Jan 26, on zoom
Adult Group Leader Training
January 2026
- Thu, Jan 8 — Evening Session, 5–9 PM ET (Zoom)
- Sat, Jan 10 — Full Day, 11 AM–7 PM ET (In person)
- Thu, Jan 15 — Evening Session, 5–9 PM ET (Zoom)
- Thu, Jan 22 — Evening Session, 5–9 PM ET (Zoom)
Children’s Group Leader Training
Dates Pending – Summer 2026
Join the Group Leader Volunteer Team
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer group leader, please complete the online application. We will contact you to set up an in-person interview. If accepted, we will register you in an upcoming 3-day training to become a group leader for adults, or 4-day training to become a group leader for children and teens. We are also accepting applications for bilingual volunteers to lead Spanish-Language groups. Training is held in English and Spanish, and supervisions are held in Spanish.
Training includes:
- Grief Education
- Awareness of your own grief process
- Understanding the OUR HOUSE model
Upon successful completion of the application process, trainees are offered placement as group leaders. They will be asked to complete a Livescan background check prior to group assignment.
FAQs
Do I need experience?
Group leaders at OUR HOUSE do not need any prior experience, nor do they need a clinical or professional background in bereavement, counseling, or education. Once you have submitted an application you will be contacted for an interview, and if accepted, you will be invited to attend our training to prepare you to be an effective and compassionate group leader.
What does it mean to co-lead a group?
OUR HOUSE groups are led by two co-leaders who work together to create a safe environment for group members.
What is the purpose of group leader supervision and why is it mandatory?
Group leader supervision is an opportunity for group leaders to come together to receive ongoing education and support from our clinical staff and their peers. The purpose of this mandatory supervision is for group leaders to continually learn to grow in their role as a group leader, and to provide our group members the most effective support.
Share your volunteer story and thoughts on how OUR HOUSE has made an impact on your life
To learn more about Group Leader Volunteer Training
In LA: contact Nita Millstein, Clinical and Volunteer Coordinator, at nita@ourhouse-grief.org.
In NYC: contact Lauren Schneider, Clinical Director, at LaurenS@ourhouse-grief.org.