Become A Facilitator
Learn to care for yourself.
Learn to care for your peers.
Get trained to lead ReST group sessions with your peers
BECOME A FACILITATORWhy be a facilitator?
To be a VOA|ReST facilitator is an opportunity to support others by providing a space where people can find solace for grief, calm for stress, and strength within themselves. As a facilitator, you have the privilege of seeing the core goodness in people and being inspired by the courage they share in overcoming challenges and setbacks.
What Do Facilitators Do?
Deep Listening: VOA|ReST uses co-facilitation teams of up to two people who understand experiences and feelings of moral distress and guide the VOA|ReST process for the populations being served by the support groups.
Linking: Helping participants see the similarities among them
Unblocking: Intervening with kindness if participants start changing the subject or monopolizing the conversation
Affirming: Offering encouragement andreassurance that participants are being heard and supported
Summarizing: Bringing awareness to what’s happening when good things are taking place
What is a ReST Facilitator?
VOA|ReST uses co-facilitation teams of two peers who share the values and understand the context of frontline workers. ReST facilitators are trained for up to 8 hours in both the use of the online platform and in ReST co-facilitation.
Co-facilitation is a collaborative approach to creating a positive experience for your group. During ReST sessions, you will share the work of:
- Establishing a friendly, caring, safe atmosphere
- Modeling empathetic, compassionate deep listening
- Making gentle interventions if problems arise
- Managing time and participation
- Insuring each hour ends on an uplifting note
How to be a Peer Facilitator?
After you apply, VOA will save your application until we need more volunteers. At that time, you will be contacted for an interview. You will receive a study manual which provides detailed information about moral distress and moral resilience; the goals of VOA | ReST; the skills required for being an effective co-facilitator; and a detailed guide on how to co-facilitate groups using our online platform.
New facilitator training involves recorded modules on using the technology platform, plus two hours of virtual hands-on training and practice with others learning the technology. Upon successful completion, you will receive up to five hours of live, online practice in group co-facilitation.
You will co-facilitate your initial VOA | ReST groups with an experienced trainer who will help to determine when you are ready to be certified. This usually occurs after 2 or 3 sessions. You will then be ready to co-facilitate groups with any other facilitators, and even facilitate alone for small groups of 1 or 2 participants.
For more information:
ReST@voa.org
PARTNERS
