LAKE COUNTY — A special grant has allowed the Senior Peer Counseling and Friendly Visitor programs to reimburse volunteers for gas as they travel to lend a listening ear to seniors in need.
Volunteer training begins May 29 for senior peer counselors. People who are 55 and older are invited to apply.
Trainees will learn to help seniors talk through a discouraging time, access services, cope with losses and adapt to the challenges of older age.
They will learn skills such as compassionate listening, strategic coping and clear communicating.
Volunteers will share their experiences with other volunteers, engage in discussions about senior issues and receive weekly training in the gifts and challenges of aging. Topics include increasing peace of mind, reducing stress, recovering from a loss, building healthy relationships and exploring the spiritual advantages of later life.
Volunteers will spend a total of about four hours a week with clients and attending a Tuesday morning group supervision session.
This free training is facilitated by psychotherapist and program director Kim Baughan Young MFT. It includes experiential practice, movie clips, lively group discussion and free lunches. Call Kim at Konocti Senior Support for an application at 350-3590.
