LEWISTON — The Program for Grieving Children and Teens has announced its next sessions of volunteer training for individuals interested in being part of the team for upcoming program sessions.

Part one, which is 27 hours of grief and group facilitation, will begin Monday, July 12. The training will include two Saturday sessions on July 17 and 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and five evening sessions on July 12, 14, 19, 21 and 26, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Classes will be held at the Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice office.

Part two will include eight hours of multicultural training. One session will be from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 28 and one session from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 31.

The training is offered free of charge and is designed to prepare interested participants in the art of volunteer work with grieving children and their families. The part one course is comprehensive in scope, exploring 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. Part two focuses on understanding cultural differences, their impact on grief and how to facilitate groups of children effected by cultural losses.

The Program for Grieving Children and Teens provides nontherapeutic peer-to-peer support for families who have lost a loved one to death. In group settings, children, along with their group facilitator, embark on their individual journeys, exploring their grief through games, activities, art and other forms of self-expression.

Accompanying adults also meet during this 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. Program sessions are held in Auburn, Farmington and Mexico.

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 within the last year. Anyone interested in additional information, a training schedule or an application, may contact the Volunteer Department at 777-7740 or 800-482-7412, ext. 1280.