The Childrens Room » Family Stories

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!

Victoria’s Run funds 10 children in TCR program

betzi — Thu, 20 May 2010 11:33:37 +0000

Dr. Arthur recognized by John Hancock Non-Profit Marathon Program

When Victoria signed up for the Boston Marathon, she created a fundraising challenge for herself — to raise enough to fund 5 children in the program ($7,500). Well, she doubled her goal! Victoria’s Run has crossed the $15,000 mark, and will cover the costs for 10 children in the support program at The Children’s Room.

But there is more exciting news: Victoria is number 10 on the list of John Hancock Non-Profit Marathon Program runners! She is being recognized tonight at their Top 10 Fundraiser Appreciation Event.

What can we say? Wow!
This has been a wonderful and memorable tribute to Victoria’s brother, Peter. And it has been a tremendous help to The Children’s Room. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this amazing outcome.

Our Marathon Woman – Victoria Arthur’s Run

betzi — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 22:06:36 +0000

She did it! Dr. Victoria Arthur completed the Boston Marathon (her first marathon ever) with an official time of 4:48:41. Impressive! And there is more exciting news to share: Not only did Vic reach her fundraising goal of $7500 (enough to fund five children in our program), but she is getting very close to doubling that number.

You can help her reach this amazing new target to fund ten children by donating today.
To read more about Victoria and her story, visit our Victoria’s Run page.

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!

“When Families Grieve” airing on PBS – April 14

betzi — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 22:44:30 +0000

PBS will be premiering the program, “When Families Grieve,” at 8:00pm on April 14, 2010. The special, featuring Katie Couric and the Sesame Street Muppets, will present real-life families’ personal stories about coping with the death of a parent, as well as strategies that have helped these families move forward.

Using the Sesame Street Muppets, the program provides language for adults to use that is child appropriate and useful for the whole family. In our eyes, this is Must See TV!

You can see TCR’s own founding board member, Dr. Phyllis R. Silverman on the CBS Sunday Morning News this weekend! Dr. Silverman and Madelyn Kelly co-authored A Parent’s Guide to Raising Grieving Children: Rebuilding your Family After the Death of a Loved One. Dr. Silverman appears in an interview with Katie Couric in promotion of the April 14th primetime special.

To learn more about Dr. Silverman and her work, you can visit her website and blog:
Website: www.phyllisrsilverman.com
Blog: http://psychologytoday.com/blog/raising-grieving-children

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.

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.

Teen Performance Troupe Premiere

afavaloro@childrensroom.org — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 20:24:37 +0000

The Teen Performance Troupe has written an original show about grief in the lives of teens. Each of the performers is a teen who has experienced the death of a family member, and they have worked to incorporate their personal stories into an innovative performance.

The Children’s Room Teen Performance Troupe looks forward to sharing their opening show with a supportive and caring audience:

Sunday, February 7th at 7:00 pm
Arlington Center for the Arts
41 Foster Street in Arlington

For directions, visit the ACA website: http://www.acarts.org/directions.php

Memories Walk Shines in the Sun

betzi — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 15:38:22 +0000

Thank you to the 350+ walkers who joined us, and to the many others who supported us from a distance! Our Memories Walk and 10th Anniversary Celebration on October 4th was such a meaningful and successful day. We enjoyed family, friends, inspiring words, sun (!) – and even a rainbow to bring the day to a wonderful conclusion.

There is still plenty of time to donate. The online teams and fundraising pages on Firstgiving at www.Firstgiving.com/childrensroom will remain up through the New Year. Since this is our 10th Anniversary, we hope people will keep on donating to teams and friends right through the end of the year — and spread the word that you can still create a new fundraising page and help the children in our program.

Thank you so much for the outpouring of support. We are deeply grateful!!

Check back soon for more reflections on the day and to see pictures.