Firefly Sisterhood

Programs: Firefly sisterhood launched on may 11, 2014, with the goal of fostering one-to-one connections between women recently diagnosed with breast cancer and inspirational survivors, or guides. Since its launch, the firefly sisterhood's network of guides has grown to 90 trained volunteers, and during our last fiscal year the organization made 105 matches. We serve a ten county area encircling the twin cities of minneapolis and st. Paul and receive referrals to our program from eleven breast cancer clinics. Before being matched, guides must complete a rigorous training in emotional mentorship. This experiential training is based on established best practices and conducted by a licensed social worker, and it gives them confidence and skill in empathic listening and insightful questioning. For a recnetly diagnosed woman, the process of requesting a firefly guide is simple: she calls or visits the website and clicks "get support" to be connected with the program manager. The program manager conducts a careful interview to determine the best fit for her from among the trained volunteers. Matches may be based on a range of criteria, from age and life circumstances to the details of a diagnosis, depending on the concerns she's expressed. Once a firefly sisterhood match is created, the women themselves choose how to connect, whether in person or via phone, text, or email. Firefly sisters are free to develop their relationship at their own discretion, according to the needs and comfort level of the woman being served. It may result in one reassuring conversation, or in an ongoing, enduring friendship. While matches comprise the core of the firefly sisterhood program, community-building events provide another avenue for support. Volunteers are invited to quarterly campfires, each based around a specific topic of interest to their work as guides and their experience as survivors. These lively, intimate gatherings engergize the connections and expand the training and resources on which the firefly sisterhood model is grounded. In addition, bi-annual illuminight events, which are open to the public, offer opportunities to bring together survivors and a range of people and organizations linked to the broader cancer support community for convivial, exciting, and inspiring programs. Firefly sisterhood events entail both social and educational components, a duality that is at the heart of the organization's mission: to inspire hope in survivors by providing support through personal connections.