Meet Our Lumera Leaders

Thomas is a full-time caregiver to his 86-year-old mother, and he brings both dedication and hard-won wisdom to that role. He understands the weight caregiving carries: the exhaustion, the quiet problem-solving, and the burnout that builds when you're always giving and rarely receiving. That lived experience has made him a trusted resource in his community. Thomas knows how to connect caregivers to the tools, programs, and support that can make a real difference, because he's navigated those systems himself. He comes to the Lumera Table with authenticity, practicality, and deep empathy, making every caregiver in the room feel a little less alone.

For over two decades, Erin's caregiving journey has been filled with highs and lows, sacrifice and reward, grief and love. In her twenties, she walked away from her life in San Diego to assume the role of primary caregiver for her grandmother and years later for her mother — with the added layer of a strained and complicated relationship. Erin has experienced the isolation, frustrations, and burnout that come with a lack of support and understanding from others who haven't walked this path. She knows first-hand how the weight of caregiving can leave you depleted and drained. As a passionate advocate for mental health, she openly shares her struggles with depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder to lessen the stigma and normalize talking about mental health. She is proud to be a Lumera Leader and be able to provide caregivers with a space for respite, an understanding heart, and community.

Paula knows caregiving from the inside out. She has walked alongside her grandfather through his final years and stepped in as a steady presence for her teenage nephew after an unexpected family loss, all while managing the demands of work, school, and everyday life. She understands how caregiving can be both an act of deep love and a quiet form of exhaustion. That lived experience is what led Paula to co-found Lumera Heart Project, because she knew what was missing. Not more information, but real community. A place where caregivers could be honest, be heard, and find the strength to keep going. Paula brings warmth, strategy, and a deep belief that no caregiver should have to carry this alone. At the Lumera Table, she creates space where every story matters and every person belongs.

Position Overview The Lumera Leader plays a vital role in holding the heart of our community. As a facilitator, you will guide gatherings that offer caregivers a space to breathe, share, and feel supported. This is a values-driven role for someone who leads with compassion, listens deeply, and understands the profound journey of caregiving. Key Responsibilities •Facilitate weekly Lumera Table gatherings and monthly Heart Sessions via Zoom •Create and maintain a warm, welcoming, and trauma-informed environment for all participants •Follow Lumera’s Gathering Leader Guidelines to ensure safe and consistent facilitation •Encourage open sharing while upholding group norms and healthy boundaries •Coordinate with Lumera leadership regarding session topics, scheduling, and participant needs •Provide brief session notes following each gathering to support program documentation •Represent Lumera’s mission of accessible, community-centered caregiver wellness What We’re Looking For •Personal or professional experience with caregiving •Strong active listening and interpersonal communication skills •Comfortable facilitating small group conversations via Zoom •Compassionate, patient, and non-judgmental presence •Reliable and consistent availability •Background in social work, counseling, nursing, or a related field is a plus •Bilingual (English/Spanish) is a plus Commitment This is a volunteer position with the opportunity to grow alongside Lumera Heart Project as our programming expands. Facilitators are asked to commit to at least one recurring session per month and participate in brief team check-ins. To Apply We’d love to hear from you. Please reach out to us at: info@lumeraheart.org Please include a brief note about your connection to caregiving and why this role resonates with you.