March 30, 2004 > Fremont's Human Services Department to Offer Senior Peer Counseling Training

The City of Fremont's Human Services Department is offering its annual Senior Peer Counselor Training beginning April 19, 2004. This intensive training program teaches participants how to counsel homebound seniors and caregivers. Participants must agree to serve as volunteer peer counselors for approximately five hours per week for one year after completing the training. Counselors work on a one-on-one basis with clients in the cities of Fremont, Newark and Union City. Ongoing supervision is provided to new counselors for ninety-minutes every week in a group setting. During supervision, counselors discuss their clients and their client's issues related to aging with professional counselors and their supervisor. Senior peer counselors who currently volunteer in this Program find the work immensely satisfying.

The training consists of two three-hour sessions per week for 9 weeks. Dr. Raymond Grimm conducts the training. The training is free of charge.

Contact Dr. Raymond Grimm, Program Coordinator at (510) 574-2063 or e-mail him at rgrimm@ci.fremont.ca.us for more iformation.