LEWISTON – A Program for Grieving Children and Teens will hold its next seven-week session beginning Thursday, Oct. 9. The program provides support for children and teenagers, age 3 to 18, who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling, relative or friend.

Founded in 1998, A Program for Grieving Children and Teens is sponsored by St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center and Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice and serves families from Androscoggin, Franklin, and Oxford counties at no charge. The weekly meetings will be held on Thursday evenings at the Daisy Garden Day Care, 96 Campus Ave.

Children meet weekly in groups for age-appropriate activities, games, rituals, art and other forms of self-expression. Adults meet at the same time to support one another an discuss ways to best meet their families’ needs. Volunteers are trained in a 25-hour training to help guide the groups.

To enroll in the program, a parent or adult support person should accompany a child or teen. Grandparents are also encouraged to participate. Preregistration is required by Friday, Sept. 26, so families can meet with program volunteers before the session begins.

In addition to the sessions in the fall and spring, the program offers educational resources to the community and one-day workshops.

For more information about the program or to preregister call Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice (Hospice Department) at 777-7740 or 1-800-482-7412, extension 1116 (outside the Lewiston/Auburn area), or at St. Mary’s Pastoral Care Department at 777-8520.