Imagine Celebrates Teen Volunteers at Inaugural Teen Volunteer Appreciation Event

On Thursday, May 28, Imagine, A Center for Coping with Loss, proudly hosted its first-ever Teen Volunteer Appreciation Event, celebrating the remarkable young people who help make its grief support programs possible.

Each year, Imagine relies on more than 150 dedicated volunteers to support their free peer grief support program for children, families, and young adults coping with loss throughout New Jersey. Among those volunteers are dozens of teenagers whose compassion, commitment, and leadership play a vital role in creating a welcoming and supportive environment for the families Imagine serves.

This year, 48 teen volunteers contributed countless hours to Imagine's programs. These volunteers help facilitate children's peer support groups, welcome families as they arrive for Nights of Support, assist with activities, and help clean up at the end of the evening. Perhaps most importantly, they provide a meaningful connection for the children who attend Imagine's programs, serving as trusted role models and compassionate listeners during difficult times.

"Teen volunteers are an integral part of the Imagine community," said Lindsay Schambach, Executive Director of Imagine. "Their energy, empathy, leadership and dedication help create the supportive atmosphere that allows children and families to feel seen, heard, and understood. We are incredibly grateful for everything they do."

The inaugural Teen Volunteer Appreciation Event brought together teen volunteers and their family members for an evening of recognition and gratitude. The gathering provided an opportunity for Imagine staff to thank this special group of teenagers for the countless hours they dedicate throughout the year while also recognizing the important role families play in supporting their commitment to service.

Imagine would like to provide a special thank you to their graduating high school seniors: Josephine Duguid, Noa Goldstein, Sasha Grinis, Lily Horowitz, Tim Jiao, Medha Sahay, Jack Soriero, Garet Su and Alexis Zhang.

Individuals interested in becoming volunteers are encouraged to attend a tour to learn more about volunteering with Imagine. Tours are offered in Mountainside, Newark or virtually and you can sign up on their website at www.imaginenj.org.

About Imagine

Imagine, A Center for Coping with Loss is a 501c3 that offers training and education on loss and grief to the community and free year-round grief support groups for children ages 3-18 and young adults 19-30 who are coping with a loss due to death. Concurrently, support groups are available for the parents and caregivers of the children in the groups and offered in English and Spanish. Imagine has centers in Newark and Mountainside and offers virtual groups as well. For more information, please contact Imagine at 908-264-3100 or info@imaginenj.org or visit our website at www.imaginenj.org.