LEWISTON -– The Program for Grieving Children & Teens is announcing its next seven-session volunteer training for individuals interested in being part of the team for upcoming program sessions. Training begins Monday, Aug. 16. The training includes two Saturday sessions: Aug. 21 and 28 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and five evening sessions: Aug. 16, 18, 23, 25 and 30 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Classes will be held at Franklin Memorial Hospital in Farmington.

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 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.

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 1-800-482-7412.