Location: Edmonton
Work type: In-person OR online support group
Time Commitment: Up to the group and your capacity; most support groups meet every 1-3 months
CANAAF is a Canadian registered charity that provides education, support, and essential resources to families impacted by alopecia areata. We are currently seeking volunteers to join our team of support group leaders.
As a CANAAF Support Group Leader, you will lead a support group where yourself and others affected by alopecia areata come together to share experiences and offer guidance. In doing so, you become part of a caring community that will connect, learn, and celebrate together while navigating the challenges of hair loss. You make a difference by providing a safe and confidential environment in which everyone’s perspectives are heard and respected.
Who can become a support group leader?
- Anyone who has current or past experience with alopecia areata can provide support to individuals journeying through hair loss.
- Parents and caregivers of someone with alopecia can lead a support group for other parents and caregivers.
- Family members and friends of someone with alopecia can also lead a support group for those in a similar situation (a support group for spouses, siblings, friends etc.).
Prior experience/education in social work or a related field is encouraged but not necessary to become a support leader. We provide training, resources, and ongoing guidance to ensure you gain confidence as a CANAAF Support Group Leader.
What are the important qualities of a support group leader?
A CANAAF Support Group Leader is:
- Kind, compassionate, and sensitive of others’ experiences with hair loss
- Passionate about making a difference
- Understanding of the emotional, social, and mental impacts of alopecia areata
- Dependable, responsible, and respectful of group members’ privacy
- A great listener
As part of our Support Leader Team you will:
- Provide a safe space for individuals to discuss the impact of alopecia areata on their lives
- Offer guidance to individuals with alopecia and/or their families in a group setting
- Assist individuals to share their experiences and coping strategies with alopecia areata
- Maintain a private group environment for sharing of personal experiences
- Ensure the group is open to new participants, being sensitive to their individual experiences, responses and interests
- Remain up-to-date on CANAAF’s current initiatives, services, support group offerings, and educational resources and present these options as needed
- Participate in CANAAF training sessions and team building activities
Why Volunteer with CANAAF?
Community: CANAAF is not just a dedicated team. We’re a family that celebrates our alopecia journeys together.
Meaningful Work: Alopecia areata can have a serious psychosocial impact on a life. You can change someone’s for the better by being a supportive ally.
Flexibility: We have volunteer roles available in every province & territory in Canada, with time commitments that vary between a few hours a week to a few a month.
Personal Growth: One of the best ways to grow is by helping others. Many of our volunteers have seen themselves become more self-confident and supported since they started volunteering with CANAAF.
How to Apply
Applicants must be 18 years of age or older. We encourage anyone with a personal connection to alopecia areata to apply.
CANAAF strives to create an equitable and inclusive community. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply, including all people of all identities and abilities. If you need an accommodation for the application process, please email us at info@canaaf.org.
To apply, please submit the form below to info@canaaf.org along with a current resume/CV.
You will also be asked to submit a satisfactory police record check during onboarding.