Learn to care for yourself.
Learn to care for your peers.
Get trained to lead VOA|ReST group sessions with your peers
Why 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.
What Do Facilitators Do?
Deep Listening: Using co-facilitation teams of up to 2 people who understand experiences and feelings of moral distress and guide the VOA|ReST process for the populations being served by our virtual peer support groups
Linking: Helping participants see the similarities among themselves
Unblocking: Intervening with kindness and guiding participants who may have trouble staying on topic or monopolizing the conversation
Affirming: Offering encouragement and reassurance that participants are being heard and supported
Summarizing: Bringing awareness to what’s happening when good things are taking place
How Do Facilitators Help?
VOA|ReST uses co-facilitation teams of 2 peers who share values and understand the context of participants. ReST facilitators are trained for up to 12 hours in both the use of our online platform and in ReST co-facilitation practices.
Co-facilitation is a collaborative approach to creating a positive experience for your group. During VOA|ReST sessions, you will share the work of:
- Establishing a friendly, caring, safe atmosphere
- Making gentle interventions if problems arise
- Ensuring each hour ends on an uplifting note
- Modeling empathetic, compassionate deep listening
- Managing time and participation
How to Become 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 modules on using the technology platform, plus 3 hours of virtual hands-on training and practice with others learning the technology. Upon successful completion, you will receive up to 5 hours of live, online training 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 full trained. This usually occurs after 2 or 3 sessions with a trainer. 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
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