Program for divorced looks for volunteers

CARE, a volunteer program of Catholic Family Services which supports the separated or divorced, needs volunteers who will help those separating, and indirectly their children, get through the process.

CFS is offering a training program for people willing to give a few hours a week to assist the separated and divorced. Training begins March 3, from 7 to 9:15 p.m., at 150 Robson St., Vancouver. The seven-session Basic Communication Skills course is the first module in the training program, and the fee is $60. Subsequent training, in such areas as group process skills, the process of separation and divorce, and annulments, is free.

Since separation is an extremely stressful experience for children, co-parenting has as its primary goal the best interests of the children. Information given in the 10-session CARE program has as one focus assisting the children of divorce. Handouts assist couples with co-parenting.

CARE developed from several years of investigation into programs for those experiencing separation and divorce. In 1995 it became a separate program which has now benefited hundreds of participants and their children.

Those who would like to offer support to families separating and divorcing please call Catholic Family Services at 604-443-3220 to register.