Volunteer Opportunities ~ SGM Meeting

I’m so excited about the recent outpouring of support and willing hearts we’ve experienced…and the beautiful people stepping forward to offer their skills and talents to support grieving families. We are going to be hosting a very important welcome meeting for all current and potential volunteers working with SGM, or those who are simply interested in learning about volunteer opportunities. (Attending is not a commitment…just come to learn about different areas and possibly sign up if you feel led. All volunteers are required to attend a meeting at SGM before signing on to help.)

We really need as many people as possible to attend the initial meeting to learn about SGM and to meet those who are in charge of different volunteer groups. I want us all to be on the same page as we are rapidly growing and there are many changes coming in 2013. More experienced volunteers are asked to come as well…so we can cover everything at once…and so they can help answer any questions the new helpers may have. We will all gather for prayer and for an update on current happenings and the vision for the future for SGM…then we will break into groups for Comfort Bears (those who sew and others who cut, stuff, etc.), Gowns – Both those who crochet and seamstresses, Layettes, Perinatal hospice family support/OB staff, photographers, Office/Shipping Volunteers, Prayer partners, Bracelet/Jewelry/Memento creators, Card makers, etc.

If you want to volunteer, but cannot attend the meeting that day, please set up an appointment or contact me to see if we can get you with your volunteer group leader another time. But, if you can, it would work best to come that day, so we can communicate to everyone at the same time. We are hoping to have a representative from every “facet” of the ministry there to answer your questions.

We are very excited about expanding our services to offer perinatal hospice support to grieving families, beginning with Defiance Regional Medical Center and eventually covering other hospitals in Northwest Ohio, in addition to the support and materials offered to our current families all over the world. We cannot do it without your help! If you have any questions, or would like to speak one-on-one before the meeting, please email or message me.

Sufficient Grace Ministries offers bereavement resources for families who have experienced the loss of a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal or infant death, or the death of a young child.  We are now expanding to offer perinatal hospice services to families receiving a fatal diagnosis in pregnancy. We are researching funding and grant opportunities to expand this program in addition to the bereavement materials and online support we currently offer to grieving families worldwide through our website. We would love to set up a meeting with your bereavement coordinator, nursing supervisor, and other members of your OB/Bereavement Team to discuss the benefits of perinatal hospice services, not only for the patient and family, but for the hospital staff as well.   Services would include:

• Providing support for families facing a fatal diagnosis in pregnancy, including meeting with families to help create a birth plan to fit their individual needs.
• Walking with families through the journey, encouraging the family to cherish the gift of time with their baby, whether for a moment or for several months, offering continued support.
• Trained volunteers to offer emotional and/or spiritual support during labor and delivery and encouraging/assisting family in making memories with baby, as much or as little involvement as desired by the family.
• Provide mementos: Dreams of You Memory Book, Comfort Bear, baby gown/layette, memorial jewelry, etc.
• Capture the precious time with baby through professional photography
• Follow-up support for families, including a monthly support group at the SGM facilities and one-on-one peer support, if desired.

For more information about the products and services offered to families through Sufficient Grace Ministries, please visit our website: www.sufficientgraceministries.org.