Become a Red Bird Ministries Leader and partner with us to bring hope and healing to families carrying the extraordinary cross of child loss
Red Bird Ministries (RBM) is founded on the witness of ordinary families who carry an extraordinary cross called “child loss”. Peer-to-peer connection is the heart and soul of RBM’s mission and methodology- connecting parents of child loss with others who can intimately relate to their pain, confident that our wounds can only be healed in the embrace of community.
Being a RBM Leader isn’t about having answers, advice, or solutions. RBM Leaders aren’t “healed”, “expert”, or “perfect”- they are parents who have known the loss of a child first hand and who aren’t afraid to bring the love of Christ into the deep, dark places of another's grief.
RBM Leaders provide accompaniment, companionship, and witness to other parents’ pain. They are ordinary families of loss who have given God their “yes” to serve as the Simons and Veronicas to other parents carrying the immense grief of child loss.
BEING A SERVANT LEADER
Watch this video to learn more about how RBM Leaders serve the Church
If you have additional questions about the topics covered in this video, please contact Anna Gowasack, M.S., Director of Psychological Services.
A trained RBM Leader helps parents of child loss in their own parish or diocesan community by:
WHAT DOES AN RBM LEADER DO?
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Parish Collaboration
Collaborating with their parish funeral or bereavement ministry to offer ongoing, one-on-one support to parents in the weeks and months following their child’s death/funeral, when other support begins to wane. While peer leaders are the core of Red Bird’s methodology, those who have not lost a child can still serve a pivotal leadership role by supporting peer leaders and advocating for grieving parents.
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Ongoing Accompaniment
Connecting grieving parents with RBM’s vast array of virtual grief support offerings so that they can access support privately, especially in the early days of grief when in-person or group support may feel overwhelming. Families can get connected to our virtual support offerings by joining our community app where we host content like spiritual direction, regular prayer retreats, therapeutic art events for surviving siblings, just-for-dads support nights, and more.
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Host RBM In-Person Programs
Hosting in-person RBM programming like workshops, day retreats, or small groups, inviting grieving parents into healing and communion with one another when they are ready. Visit our Programs Page to learn more about the all-inclusive, authentically Catholic grief program bundles RBM has created for leaders.
Steps to getting started:
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Step One
Complete the Leader Application Form
Red Bird is committed to safeguarding the hearts of the families we serve by forming our peer-leader base with intentionality and prayerful discernment. Click here to complete the RBM Leader Application Form.
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Step Two
Meet with Our Director of Leader Formation
Once your application is reviewed, you will be invited to schedule a one-on-one Zoom call with Anna Gowasack, our Director of Leader Formation. This is an opportunity to learn more about the ministry, and to discern more deeply how the Lord may be calling you to service.
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Step Three
Receive Your Application Decision
We value the gifts of every leader applicant. If your unique gifts and calling align with Red Bird’s mission and methodology, you will receive a confirmation email. If we feel your gifts would be best suited elsewhere, we will follow-up with alternative options for ministry involvement.
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Step Four
Complete Leader Training
Once you are welcomed as a Red Bird Leader, you will be invited to complete your leader training. Our carefully curated training is completely online and self-paced. A single leader training costs $299 per individual license (spouses may share a license). Diocese or large parishes wishing to train multiple leaders should contact us to inquire about bulk discounts.
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Step Five
Order Your Program Bundle
Once you are a trained Red Bird Leader, you are ready to host your first grief healing event! Review our programs below to see RBM’s beautiful offerings.
STEP INTO THE CALL
Become an RBM Leader
We want becoming an RBM Leader to feel manageable to any parent of loss who feels called to serve. As a result, we are committed to keeping requirements for leaders to a minimum while also adequately equipping you to serve grieving hearts. A trained RBM Leader is required to:
Complete the leader application form (see below) which includes submitting one letter of recommendation, and a letter of good standing from their pastor.
Complete the RBM Leader Course ($299/individual or couple) detailing principles of effective small group leadership, and outlining how to access and use RBM’s plethora of digital and print resources.
Subscribe to the RBM Community App to keep up-to-date with communications and ministry events.
Attend the 4 leader education webinars we host per year (free playback is available through the app for those unable to attend live).