Why do families need help in times of loss?

When a death, divorce, separation, incarceration, or abandonment occurs, it deeply affects everyone in the family. Parents or adult caregivers may be too overwhelmed by their own needs to provide the emotional support their children need. Parents need to understand and process their own grief and tune in to their child’s grief. Too often we grieve silently, and alone.

Grief can surface in debilitating ways, including:

• A loss of self-esteem
• A change in school or job performance
• A change in school or job performance
• A closing down of communications
• Depression

Children need and deserve support during the grief process because they do not have the life experiences and coping tools that adults have. Grief carried unresolved into adulthood can affect one’s physical and emotional health, job performance, and the ability to develop healthy, lasting relationships.

Level I: Pre K through K 

Level II: 1st and 2nd Grades

Level III: 3rd-5th Grades

Level IV: Middle School (6th through 8th Grades)

Adolescents need a chance to express their feelings. They may be too unsure of themselves, however, to take the risk. Like adults, they fear rejection or lack of understanding. Because of their own pain, parents may have a hard time helping their hurting teens.

Level V: High School (9th through 12th Grades)

Adults are often overwhelmed by loss. This program helps participants understand and process their own grief. Parents may become more attuned to their child’s grief, and with enthusiasm and love, recreate “family” again. The purpose of this program is to help adults mend the memories, heal the hurts, and once again have hope for a bright future. It is designed to have you take an honest look at the person you are today.

Level VI: Adult