Volunteer FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
What can teens expect in a Pathways group?
If you're a teen thinking about joining a Pathways group, you can find information on what to expect here.
How long before we can start attending a group?
We aim for you and your family to get started as quickly as possible. If there is a waitlist for your group, we do our best to accommodate families’ needs as much as possible. The more flexible your schedule, the quicker we can get you started.
Does everyone in the family have to participate?
Dougy Center’s mission is to provide peer support to children and teens who have a family member living with an advanced serious illness or are grieving a death, therefore a child or teen must be participating for the adults in the family to attend groups. The Pathways Coordinator can help direct you to other resources if your child(ren) choose not to participate. Adult groups at Dougy Center are optional, however most adults find the group supportive and helpful. Adults who choose not to participate must remain onsite for liability, medical, and safety reasons.
What if my kids don’t know that their person has been diagnosed with an illness that will significantly shorten their life? Can they still attend?
Yes, they can attend. Often adults find it difficult to find the words to start these challenging conversations with their children. However, talking with the other adults in the peer support group and the Pathways Group Coordinators can bring some ease to these tough conversations. Contact a Pathways Coordinator at 503-775-5683 or pathways@dougy.org for more information.