Grief-Informed Workplaces

IMAGINE IS A CENTER FOR COPING WITH LOSS

Become a Grief-Informed Workplace

Imagine a workplace where staff members have been provided with the tools and skills to support one another so that those who are grieving have the compassionate and supportive work environment that they need. Imagine’s Training & Education Program can get you there.

Every day, people bring their grief into the workplace which can result in reduced productivity and strained employee relationships. While grief is a necessary and healthy response to loss, the effects of grief can be profound and long lasting, especially if people who are grieving do not receive the support they need and deserve. It is important to be prepared to respond to the effects of loss in the workplace so that employees can then show up for their clients in the same way as well. Imagine can help you create a grief informed workplace.

We do this by using a recommended tiered approach:

Leadership team receive training first
Followed by the staff
Volunteers (if applicable) are up next
Leaving clients to receive grief education last

Imagine providing its first 101 Spanish speaking training to Empowering Kids Organization (EKO).

I turned to Imagine

“I turned to Imagine after one small department lost two coworkers within a month’s time. They provided on-site grief support for the team and others across the company. I am grateful for the impact they have with our workforce and the communities we serve.”

– Sheila Rostiac, PSEG, Vice President –
Total Rewards & Talent Management

Imagine provides the following leveled courses
in English or Spanish:

How to Support Someone Coping with Loss

COURSE

OBJECTIVES

101

Understanding loss, grief, and mourning

Define loss, grief, and mourning.
Identify the different types of primary and secondary losses that we may experience and the impact of these losses.
Explain the importance of mourning and also describe what happens when mourning doesn’t occur.
Recognize the importance of using the Companioning Model to support those who are grieving.

201

Diving into grief
through an
intersectional
lens

Describe how shame affects how we protect ourselves and inhibits our ability to mourn.
Apply an intersectional lens to explore how we experience our own grief and support others who are grieving.
Give examples of how grief impacts children at different developmental stages.
Recognize how the school, organization or workplace climate affects those who are grieving.

301

Skill building,
planning, and
application

Discover ways to help rebuild the internal locus of control following a loss.
Apply knowledge and skills learned to various scenarios when supporting someone who is grieving.
Evaluate and/or create support responses to grief for various roles within the community of the school, organization or workplace.

LOSS AND GRIEF SPECIALIST TRAINING

Discover the parallel process that occurs when stories are shared, and space is created where you can bear witness to each other’s stories.
Practice facilitation and companioning skills that are modeled throughout the training.
Recognize the importance of self-care and community care and the consequences of not doing either.

Contact Us

If you have any questions regarding Imagine’s Training and Education Program, please contact Imagine’s Training and Education Director, Veronica C. Ortiz, LPC at veronica@imaginenj.org or by filling out our Training and Education Interest Form.

Testimonials & Shoutouts!

Insightful, honest, and candid

"Imagine, A Center for Coping with Loss came to our event and provided training for participants that truly struck a chord with those who attended. The training was insightful, honest and candid in the manner in which it addressed, discussed and engaged participants. I was anticipating, given the topic, I would leave feeling downhearted. Instead, I felt at ease, and like there was an understanding amongst the participants. My domino piece still sits on my dresser as a reminder of the training."

Laura Del Prete-Conde

Deputy Director, NAMI NJ

Powerful learning experience

"The training provided by Imagine was a powerful learning experience. Our goal was to educate professionals on the many and complex facets of grief, and Imagine did just that through this training. The presenters explained the concepts in relatable ways, and utilized examples and object lessons that were moving. The session was engaging, enlightening, and practical for individuals in every setting. Everyone who attended walked away better equipped to engage with the topic of grief."

Rachel Ishak, MSW, LSW

Camp TREK at Brain Injury Alliance of NJ

Providing grief tools, terms, and framework

"Imagine provided a thorough overview and deep dive into the world of grief, providing us with tools, terms, and frameworks to think about grief in different ways in the work we do in prisons and in the community in the aftermath of violence. Their facilitators were well-prepared, thoughtful, and heartfelt guides in a place that's not necessarily comfortable to explore. I'm grateful for the work they do!"

Julian Ward

The Ahimsa Collective

Engaging and Enlightening

"The training provided by Imagine was a powerful learning experience. Our goal was to educate professionals on the many and complex facets of grief, and Imagine did just that through this training. The presenters explained the concepts in relatable ways, and utilized examples and object lessons that were moving. The session was engaging, enlightening, and practical for individuals in every setting. Everyone who attended walked away better equipped to engage with the topic of grief."

Rachel Ishak, MSW, LSW

Community Outreach Specialist and Director of Camp TREK at Brain Injury Alliance of NJ

Support Imagine Grief Programs

You are not alone.
Visit Imagine and see firsthand how we can help.

info@imaginenj.org.

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