LEWISTON – The Program for Grieving Children and Teens has announced that its next seven-session volunteer training will begin Thursday, March 2, at the offices of Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice, Strawberry Avenue.

The training will includes two Saturday sessions, March 4 and 11, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and five evening sessions, March 2, 6, 9, 13 and 16, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

The free training is designed to prepare interested participants in volunteer work with grieving children and their families. The course will explore a wide range of topics, including the understanding of grief and its stages, how individuals of varying ages process grief, the use of age appropriate activities within groups and the safe expression of anger and other emotions.

Co-sponsored by Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice and St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center, the program provides non-therapeutic peer-to-peer support for families who have lost a loved one to death.

In group settings, children and their facilitator embark on their individual journeys, exploring their grief through games, activities, art and other forms of self-expression.

Accompanying adults also meet during that time to support each other and discuss ways for supporting their families’ needs. Volunteer opportunities include facilitating groups for children or adults, greeting or interviewing families, community outreach and office support.

“The work is demanding but extremely rewarding,” said Jake Lariviere, program coordinator. “Our program offers a meaningful volunteer experience for anyone ready to make a difference in the life of another.”

Lariviere said, due to the nature of the work, program candidates must participate in an interviewing process and must not have suffered a loss in their own lives in the last year and be at least age 16. Anyone interested in additional information, a training schedule or an application, may contact Lariviere at 777-7740, ext. 1302.

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