In the world we live in today, there is an increased need for students to  have a safe space to share their feelings. The Listeners/Oyentes Volunteer Program has provided great benefits to all students of M-DCPS for over forty years and is here to support the teachers and counselors by helping to defuse the emotions of the children that our volunteers listen to, so that these students can better absorb the lessons being taught.
 
The Listeners/Oyentes Program®’s goals are to join the student’s world without judgment, to help build positive self-esteem, and to empower them to develop their own excellent problem-solving skills. Listeners/Oyentes volunteers are not mentors and do not give advice.  We do not take the place of counselors or social workers. 
Anyone interested in becoming a Listener/Oyente volunteer must attend an initial training session (see attached The Listeners/Oyentes Program® Training Schedule). In addition to attending an initial 3 hour training, Listeners/Oyentes must attend a minimum of 4 On-Going Training and Monitoring Virtual Workshops during each school year, even if you have not been assigned a student, in order to remain an active Listener/Oyente volunteer.  Our On-Going Training and Monitoring Virtual Schedule will be given to you at your initial training.
Please register to attend one of our program’s initial trainings by going to our website at www.listenersprogram.org or by emailing info@listenersprogram.org.  We are limiting each training to not more than 10 volunteers to be able to safely social distance.
Per our program’s guidelines, once you have taken your initial training, then you will be finger printed and cleared by M-DCPS to begin listening. We look forward to meeting you at one of our upcoming trainings.