The Childrens Room » Community Events

Team Up Success – Looks Like an Annual Event!

betzi — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 10:57:31 +0000

The Team Up soccer tournament was successful in every way – so successful that we are already looking at our calendar to schedule it again for next year! We would like to thank all of the volunteers who helped to make the day run smoothly, with special recognition to Justine Bloch who chaired the event committee. And we would also like to thank Belmont Hill for generously providing their beautiful field space.

It was wonderful to watch the more than 80 women who came to play soccer – but Team Up was much more than a tournament. We were thrilled that Boston Breaker, Jordan Angell stopped by to sign autographs and talk to the kids, and Heart-E-Ha Ha (Shari Rose) was there to work her face painting magic. The day was filled with good sport, great auction items, generous volunteers and fun games for kids. The event was truly a testament to the spirit and power of our community!

Save the Date: Annual Memories Walk – October 3

betzi — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 06:33:50 +0000

We know — October seems so far off — this school year isn’t even over yet! But, the date has been set, and we are already at work preparing for Memories That Move Us. The Children’s Room annual memories walk will take place on Sunday, October 3rd in Arlington. We hope that you will mark your calendar and join us in the fall. More information will be coming soon!

Team Up Soccer & Fun Day – June 26

betzi — Mon, 10 May 2010 22:51:58 +0000

Mark your calendar – and join us on Saturday, June 26th for the Team Up for The Children’s Room Soccer Tournament and family fun day. In addition to the tournament, there will be food, face painting, soccer shooting competitions, a silent auction, and more!

Latest news: It has been confirmed . . . 2 Boston Breakers will be at the event to sign autographs, take pictures, and offer soccer tips!

This event has been organized by volunteers and friends of The Children’s Room who have combined their passion for soccer with their support for the family programs that we provide. All proceeds will benefit TCR. Visit the Team Up for The Children’s Room website for more information.

Upcoming Workshop: Understanding the Challenges of Loss in Adolescents – May 22

betzi — Mon, 10 May 2010 22:44:28 +0000

For most, adolescence is a period of life defined by growth and new beginnings. Yet for many teens it can be a time marred by grief and turmoil. This workshop will explore how teens make sense of and negotiate between these two competing worlds. Social workers, counselors, teachers, parents, and any adult working with teens will learn tools and strategies to work with and support teens through all kinds of loss.

This workshop is scheduled for Saturday, May 22 from 9:30am-4:30pm at our house in Arlington. For more information and registration for this and our other three workshops (each focused on a different age group), please visit our Spring-Summer Workshop Series page.

Your Changing Relationship with Your In-Laws – Sunday Night Discussion, May 2

betzi — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 12:17:16 +0000

How has your relationship with your in-laws changed after your spouse’s death? Was it a good relationship before the death? Have they continued to make you feel that you are and will continue to be a part of their family? Or perhaps it is too painful for them to remain in close contact. You and/or your children are a constant reminder of their beloved. You need to feel close to those who loved your spouse too. After all, they knew your spouse longer than you did, and have more stories to share with your children.

Our Parent Alumni Group is hosting a discussion group around this topic on Sunday, May 2, from 6:30-8:00 pm. Alumni parents, current parents, and waitlist parents are all welcome, as well as anyone interested in joining the discussion.

To attend, please RSVP by emailing info@childrensroom.org.
The group meets at The Children’s Room, 1210 Mass Ave, Arlington.

Drop-In Discussion Group – May 12

betzi — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 02:26:27 +0000

Our parent alumni group is hosting a monthly series of informal discussions on Wednesday evenings. The discussions are open to any parent or guardian of a family who has experienced the loss of a spouse or a child. We hope these discussion groups will be especially supportive for the adults in families on our waitlist.

Topics may include anything from how to answer your children’s questions, to how to ask for help from family and friends. Not only will you find sensitivity and kindness from this group, but you will also be meeting other parents who are struggling with the adjustment to the new reality of life without your loved ones.

We meet at the house in Arlington from 7:00-8:30 pm.

Please RSVP to kim@childrensroom.org to help us best prepare for the meeting. Light refreshments will be served. We apologize that we are not able to offer childcare at this time. We look forward to welcoming you to any or all of our drop-in discussions!

Teens Share Personal Stories of Loss through Performance

betzi — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 23:53:30 +0000

The Children’s Room Teen Performance Troupe has been on the road, performing their original skits and answering candid questions in middle schools, high schools, colleges, and social service agencies across Massachusetts. The teens bravely and honestly share their personal grief stories and experiences with their audiences.

So often kids hold feelings of grief deep inside, and their grief is unrecognized and unacknowledged. These teens reach out to others with the message that breaking this silence is redemptive and healing.

The Teen Performance Troupe is an integral part of The Children’s Room outreach and education effort in our communities, so that our message of hope and compassion reaches many more children in diverse neighborhoods and schools. For many children whose families cannot access bereavement services, the teen troupe brings empathy and validation.

The troupe performance calendar includes dates for Lexington, Plymouth, and Newton schools, Tufts and BC, and a bereavement center in Northampton. Please contact us if you would like to learn more about scheduling a performance, or read more about The Teen Performance Troupe.

We invite everyone to join us at the Belmont Hill School on June 6th for the final public performance of the season.

Upcoming Workshop: Supporting Young Adults Coping with Loss – April 3

betzi — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 00:43:49 +0000

It has been estimated that 22 – 30% of college students have experienced the death of a family member or friend within the last year. This workshop, intended for college and university counseling center staff and other providers working with young adult populations, will explore the intersection of typical developmental issues and the experience of bereavement.

This workshop is scheduled for Saturday, April 3 from 9:30am-4:30pm at our house in Arlington. For more information and registration for this and our other three workshops (each focused on a different age group), please visit our Spring-Summer Workshop Series page.

Spring-Summer Workshop Series Registration Open

betzi — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 22:47:46 +0000

We offer a series of workshops that provide practical information and strategies to address challenging topics related to death, divorce, illness, or any crisis of loss. These workshops are open to the community, and continuing education credits are available for participants. Workshops run from 9:30 am – 4:30 pm at our house in Arlington.

Our Spring-Summer Workshop Series runs from March-July. Each workshop is offered two times:

Teens in Transition: Understanding the Challenges of Loss in Adolescents
March 6, 2010 | May 22, 2010

If We Lost Uncle David, Why Can’t We Go Find Him? Strategies for Talking with Young Children about Death, Dying and Loss
March 13, 2010 | July 19, 2010

Fostering Resiliency in Children Coping with Death, Illness and Other Losses
March 20, 2010 | July 20, 2010

Supporting Young Adults Coping with Loss
April 3, 2010 | July 21, 2010

For workshop descriptions, fees, and registration information, please visit our Spring-Summer Workshop Series page.

Victoria’s Run – A Marathon to Support The Children’s Room

betzi — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:58:38 +0000

Dr. Victoria Arthur is running the Boston Marathon this year, not because she is devoted to running (she’s just beginning to train in earnest) or because she loves marathons (this is her first!). Victoria is running in memory of her brother Pete, and to give back to The Children’s Room, where her sister-in-law, Jen and her nephew, Jeffrey found solace and support after Pete’s death.

In her practice at Lexington Pediatrics, Victoria has often recommended TCR to families after the death of a parent or child. Now she is inspired to raise money to support The Children’s Room. She is motivated to help TCR continue to provide children and their families with a caring, safe environment and the resources to rebuild their lives after the loss of a loved one.

The Children’s Room welcomes all families, regardless of their ability to pay.

Read more about Victoria’s story and how you can support her inspiring run.
Track Victoria’s progress on Marathon day using number 27425 on the BAA website.