Someone out there needs
exactly what you have.
Your lived experience, your time, your willingness to listen — these are the most powerful things you can offer. Become a Beacon.
What is a Beacon?
A Beacon is a volunteer who shows up for someone who needs support. Not a therapist. Not a professional. Just a real person with lived experience, time, and the willingness to listen.
Beacons are accountability partners, supportive friends, coaches, mentors, peer supporters, and general encouragers. You choose the role that fits your experience and personality.
Choose your support role
Select one or several. You can always update your roles later.
Supportive Friend
Show up consistently and listen without judgment.
Active Listener
Give your full attention and reflect back what you hear.
Accountability Partner
Help someone stay committed to their goals.
Fitness Coach
Support health and movement goals with encouragement.
Wellness Coach
Help build healthy habits and daily routines.
Career Mentor
Guide job seekers, career changers, and students.
Parenting Supporter
Walk alongside parents navigating the hard moments.
Veteran Peer
Support fellow veterans through transition and beyond.
Grief Support Volunteer
Sit with someone in loss without trying to fix it.
Recovery Peer
Share your lived experience with sobriety and recovery.
Faith-Based Supporter
Offer support grounded in shared spiritual values.
General Encourager
Remind people they are not alone and they can do this.
Clear boundaries, clear purpose
Knowing what you can and cannot do protects everyone — including you.
Beacons can
- ✓Listen without judgment
- ✓Share lived experience
- ✓Offer encouragement and accountability
- ✓Help set and track personal goals
- ✓Check in regularly
- ✓Celebrate small wins
- ✓Refer to professional resources when appropriate
Beacons cannot
- ✗Diagnose or treat any condition
- ✗Provide medical, legal, or financial advice
- ✗Act as an emergency responder
- ✗Request personal contact information
- ✗Pursue romantic or personal relationships
- ✗Ask users to move conversations off-platform
- ✗Sell products or services
What to expect
Time commitment
Most Beacons give 1–3 hours per week. You set your own capacity and can pause at any time.
Safety training
A short training module covers boundaries, crisis response, and platform guidelines. Required before going live.
Active connections
You choose how many people you support at once. Start with one if you prefer.
Verified credentials
Professional credentials are optional. Lived experience is equally valued — and clearly labeled.
Pause anytime
Life happens. Pause your availability with one tap. No explanation required.
On-platform only
All conversations stay inside Beacon. This protects both you and the people you support.
Lived experience matters as much as credentials
You do not need a degree or certification to become a Beacon. If you have walked through grief, recovery, divorce, career change, or any other hard season — that experience is valuable.
Professional credentials are optional and clearly labeled as verified or unverified. Lived experience is labeled separately. Neither is ranked above the other.
Ready to leave the light on?
Your application takes about 15 minutes. You can save and return at any step.