LEWISTON — The Program for Grieving Children & Teens is announcing its next 30-hour volunteer training for individuals interested in being part of the team for upcoming program sessions.

Training will begin Tuesday, Sept. 25. The training schedule is as follows: Tuesday, Sept. 25, from 5 to 8:30 p.m.; Friday, Sept. 28, from 5 to 8:30 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 29, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday, Oct. 2, from 5 to 8:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Oct. 9, from 5 to 8:30 p.m.; and Thursday, Oct. 11, from 5 to 8:30 p.m.

Classes will be held at Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice’s office located at 15 Strawberry Ave.

“During our time at the Hospice House, I was introduced to their bereavement offerings,” said Tammy Caron, a participant of the program. “I learned that the children and I need to walk through this. With the help of the Program for Grieving Children and Teens, we continue to walk — not without stumbling — through our changed world.”

The training is offered free and is designed to prepare interested participants in the art of volunteer work with grieving children and their families. The course is comprehensive, exploring a 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.

The program provides non-therapeutic 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 and Wilton. Due to the nature of the work, program candidates must participate in an interviewing process.

Anyone interested in additional information, a training schedule or an application may contact the Volunteer Department at 777-7740 or 1-800-482-7412, ext. 1280.