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Changes Helping Children and Families find Pathways thru their grief... That simple phrase expresses the mission of Pathways Volunteer Hospice’s Changes Bereavement Program, for children and teens. Parents and other caregivers often want to "protect" children from death and the grief it produces. In reality, however, the best "protection" for kids are allowing them to experience their grief while adults admit the reality of its pain. Experience shows that a supportive network, which is involving family, school, faith group, and a community working together, is the best environment to provide this protection. Since 1991, Pathways has provided Changes , unique grief supports program for children, adolescents, their families and educational professionals. Changes provide a structure and routine for children as they learn to grow through their grief. Of course, the skill children learn as they cope with this current loss becomes a skill that they can use for a lifetime – a life that will undoubtedly produce other losses, which in turn will produce additional opportunities for growth, growth that produces real changes. The Groups Changes combine a unique team of grief professionals and volunteers to help children and adolescents realize they are not alone in grief and that their experiences are normal. Under the direction of Tina Porter, Bereavement Coordinator, and William (Bill) G. Hoy, Bereavement Program Advisor and a nationally respected grief professional, Pathways’ bereavement team uses a diversity of activities designed to meet the specific needs and abilities of each group. Although most children express their grief in healthy ways, our team can provide further resource and referral in the case of complicated bereavement. In the school setting, groups meet for 7 weeks using art, storytelling, journalizing and discussion to help students develop life-skills for managing grief. Basic concepts addressed in each group include:
In the community, groups meet for 7 weeks in the evening Children 5-18 meet in appropriate age groups while their surviving parent or caregiver meets concurrently. This gives the adults the opportunity to talk about their own grief and the behaviors and attitudes of their children. Together, they often find a common bond in their shared losses and discover practical tools and resources for dealing with their own grief while understanding and helping their children. Grieving families are often concerned about the costs involved in getting help for their children. But with the myriad of worries already on the minds of parents, it’s comforting to know that Changes is provided completely free of charge to all families. As a non-profit agency, Pathways Volunteer Hospice is supported by a large number of individual donations, city block grants, corporation and non-profit foundations. A significant portion of the funding for Changes comes for the proceeds of Pathways’ special events and in-house fundraising. Even through participation in Changes is free. Pathways always welcome contributions from families who have been helped by the program. These funds can be designated to purchase resources or materials, provide training for volunteers, or to be used without restriction. Your financial investment in this program helps Pathways to provide Changes to an ever-widening circle of grieving families. Bereavement support groups for Children & Teens Ages 6 to 18 (along with parent or primary caregiver) Changes combine a unique team of grief professionals and volunteers to help children and teens realize that their experiences are normal. During the seven-week groups, varieties of activities are used, including art, crafts, storytelling and discussion to help them develop life-skills for managing grief. Changes offer parents of attending children information and the means to help their children through the grieving process. Parent groups meet concurrently so caregivers can talk about their own grief and the behaviors and attitudes of their children. Together, these adults find a common bond in their shared losses. And together they discover practical tools and resources for dealing with their own grief while understanding and helping their children. WHEN: Tuesday evenings (Lakewood/Long Beach area) To pre-register, or for further information, Please call or Contact PATHWAYS VOLUNTEER HOSPICE |