VOLUNTEER

2024-2025 Youth Program Facilitator Volunteer Opportunities (apply here)

More parents than ever have cancer. That means more kids are facing the challenge of a parent’s diagnosis. Pickles Group provides free peer-to-peer support and resources for kids and teens whose parents have cancer.

This year we’re piloting an important new initiative: our first monthly closed-group peer support program to provide the kids we serve with an ongoing, consistent, close-knit community. This new initiative is called “Pickles Jars” and is being offered online, virtually for kids nationwide and in-person for kids in the Northern Chicago Area. We’re also continuing the major growth and success of our highly effective “Connect Over Cancer” 5-week virtual social emotional support program.

To meet the demand of our kids and families, we need you to help change the status quo for kids whose parents have cancer! That means we’re actively recruiting graduate students with at least one year of experience working with kids, to become skilled volunteer Youth Program Facilitators. You’ll receive high-quality training and hard-to-find professional development opportunities while making a true impact for kids. This unpaid volunteer opportunity is ideal for those interested in youth-oriented, whole-family mental health and healthcare. We offer half-year and full-year volunteer opportunities to help you meet your professional goals.

Pickles Group believes that every family navigating a parent or caregiver’s cancer deserves an equitable opportunity to heal and thrive in life. We invite you to read our full Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access here before you take a look at the opportunities.

At this time, all facilitators must be located in the United States.

How to Apply

To join us as a Youth Program Facilitator, complete and submit the volunteer application form by these dates:

  • Deadline September 25th: group assignments made according to organizational needs; no priority or preference

Attend Volunteer Training

  • Prior to volunteering with us, all Youth Facilitators must attend our Zoom training session. Next training sessions are August 28th from 5-7pm Central, September 8th from 12-2pm Central and October 6th from 12-2pm Central.

    *If you are interested in facilitating our Fall/Winter Connect Over Cancer session you must attend either August 28th or September 8th.*

What You’ll Do As a Youth Facilitator

  • Co-lead and actively participate in virtual or in-person activities, games, and structured fun for school-aged kids and teens impacted by parental cancer, separated into groups based on age, development, and circumstances.

  • Review curriculum and all materials designed and provided by Kelsey Mora, CCLS, LCPC, our Chief Clinical Officer, to feel prepared to facilitate with ease.

  • Support and customize the experience to fit the curriculum and your group.

  • Communicate with families about attendance and absences each session.

  • Additional Opportunities for extra experience may include:

    • Access to professional development from Chief Clinical Officer

    • Supporting and facilitating for Pickles Group at signature events

    • Attending industry-related conferences as a Pickles representative

    • Relationship-development with prestigious hospital systems

    • Career-specific Family Outreach, like new family referral and intake calls

Qualifications for Role:

  • Graduate-level students focused on Child Life, Nursing, Oncology, Social Work, or other related fields. Similarly-qualified people are welcome to apply. 

  • At least one year of direct experience working with children and families

  • 21 years of age or older

  • Must pass a background check

  • At this time, all facilitators must be located in the United States.

For more information about about our programming and their time commitments for the 2024-2025 academic year, take a look at the role descriptions here.

Signature event Committee Members: Chicago North & Columbus (Apply Here)

In Chicago’s North suburbs and starting this fall in Columbus, we will offer quarterly “Signature Community Events” — chances for Pickles Kids, Teens, and their families to come together in community with others who get their lived experience. The purpose of these events is to create a fun, safe, community-based experience for local Pickles Kids and their families. As we expand, we’re focused on making signature events more scalable, community-driven, and volunteer-led. What does this mean?

We’re recruiting thoughtful, caring, organized volunteers with a passion for making a difference and the ability to contribute to successful event planning and execution to make more of these events possible for kids as we grow. Click here to learn more about our Chicago North and Columbus Signature Event Committee Leadership Roles. Signature Event Committee members must be over 21 years old. Applications are due Friday, August 30.

Day-Of Event Volunteers: nationwide (Apply here)

We’re recruiting community volunteers represent and support Pickles Group at Day-Of (one day) events throughout the year to help us serve more families. This is an opportunity for volunteers nationwide to support Pickles kids. Learn more here. Applications are open and accepted on a rolling basis.

Some examples of ways Day-Of volunteers will have the opportunity make an impact:

  • Table at Recruitment Events and Fairs

  • Support Signature Program Events

  • Visit Hospitals and Partners

  • Promote Pickles Group Online 

  • Contribute to Other One-Day Opportunities

  • And more!