This post is part of our peer counselor Q&A series, which shares perspectives of our dedicated and talented volunteers about why they joined Empower Work. Marta is an Empower Work peer counselor, trainer, and advocate working at the intersection of organizational leadership and social change.

What inspired you to become a volunteer?

I know first-hand that having someone in your corner can make navigating tough work situations feel much less isolating and overwhelming. I also see Empower Work’s mission as a key component to making workplaces more equitable by providing free, accessible, judgement-free support to people regardless of background or industry.

What was the most valuable part of the volunteer training for you?

I loved reading through sample conversations and seeing the impact of curiosity, empathy, and open-ended questions. Through these tactics, peer counselors create a space for texters to identify what’s really bothering them, feel seen and validated in their experience, and find the clarity and confidence to take a step forward. In my work as a facilitator, coach, and higher education administrator, I’ve used many of these tools in face-to-face settings—and through this training, I built the skills to effectively hold space for these deep conversations via text, reaching people wherever they are.

What’s your favorite part about volunteering?

I appreciate being able to get out of my own head for a few hours! Volunteering is a powerful way to support someone in a moment of crisis by compassionately holding space, deeply listening, asking powerful questions, helping identify the core issues and values at play, and supporting them in identifying what action they want to take. After every conversation I feel a sense of gratitude and accomplishment, like I was able to do something tangible to make the world a tiny bit better by helping someone feel more empowered and less alone when they really needed support.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned?

The biggest lesson I continue to learn is to trust my intuition: if a person connecting with Empower Work uses a charged word or brings a lot of emotion, naming it and asking about it can open a beautiful conversation. This is also not about me having the answer, problem-solving, or saying the “right” thing: it’s about reflecting back what I’m hearing, getting curious, and creating space for the person to come to their own conclusion about how they want to move forward.

“There are so many ways we need to address systemic inequities and power dynamics in the workplace, and for me, providing free, accessible support in moments when someone feels hurt, powerless, or vulnerable is one small step in the right direction.”

Why do you think accessible work support is so important?

I’ve had my share of challenging work experiences, from “did that really just happen?!” shocks to “must-hold-it-together-so-I-can-go-cry-in-the-bathroom” moments. I’ve also been privileged over the years to have several mentors and friends who’ve helped me make sense of these moments, validated my experiences, and given me the tools to figure out how I want to move forward. I want every person to have access to this kind of support! There are so many ways we need to address systemic inequities and power dynamics in the workplace, and for me, providing free, accessible support in moments when someone feels hurt, powerless, or vulnerable is one small step in the right direction.

What would you tell other people thinking about becoming volunteers?

Volunteering with Empower Work gives you the opportunity to significantly help people in the moments when they need it the most. You’ll also learn tools, frameworks, and language that will make you a more effective listener, mentor, and friend along the way. I highly recommend it!