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!

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.

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

The talented photographer Kathy Tarantola took the shots and made the video, which will grow along with our garden.

“Judy Oliver, founding staff member, has referred to the volunteers as “the heart” of The Children’s Room.  As volunteers, we are collective heart through collaboration.  Each volunteer brings to the program their unique gifts. It’s the pulse of our talents and diversity that pumps the program full of life.

When I started volunteering I felt, as many of you may have, occasional twangs of self doubt and fear.  “What can I possibly offer these children?” I worried.  Sure there were evenings when I felt certain I helped to comfort a child. However, there were also many nights when I wondered if any child had noticed my presence at all (sometimes this still happens)!  Eventually I realized that it is our presence week after week that allows healing. We are a dependable safety net for children and families holding great fears and sadness. Sometimes it’s hard to tell when you’ve made a connection but you do – simply by showing up.

You never know how you might reach a child, teen or parent: maybe it’s your story, your voice, your smile, that brings to them something they are missing.  But please do know that you are the heart of the organization. The veteran volunteers bring a confidence and experience to the program while the new volunteers bring a freshness, unique stories and revitalized enthusiasm – you are all exceptional.

My co-volunteers and the staff at The Children’s Room are some of the most remarkable people I know.  The organization is teeming with genuine people who want to help others in pain.  What a haven of caring.

So thank you, for sharing a piece of your heart by volunteering at the Children’s Room. You are recognized today with gratitude, respect and admiration and I am honored to be among you.”

boy nestled in blossoms of cherry tree

Or donate toward our spruce tree, rose bushes, daphne….

Planting for our new Hope Grows Here garden is this week and we need to raise funds for our new cherry blossom tree and other beautiful plants that will brighten the front of the house.  The new spruce tree will join our replanted blueberry bush and dozens of other plants that will make the grounds of The Children’s Room inspirational and inviting.

You Can Help

Donate now in honor or memory of someone.  100% of all donations go directly toward the costs of plants, mulch and grass.  We have no overhead costs for this project due to the generosity of A Yard and A Half and COG Design.  Your dollars go incredibly far.

Donations of $500 or more will receive a permanent marker in the garden with a short message of your choice.  Donate now, click here.

All donations in honor or memory of someone will be acknowledged with a Children Room’s card to the recipient.

Visit our Hope Grows Here page to see a slide show of our new garden and the gorgeous plants that were picked out by David McCoy of Geographia Landscape Design.

The Children’s Room 10th Anniversary Volunteer and Staff Celebration

When:  Sunday, April 26th 2:00pm to 4:00pm

Where: First Baptist Church, 819 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington, MA

Please join us for light refreshments as we honor you and your caring service to the families at The Children’s Room.  Judy Oliver, founding staff member, will be joining us and sharing her memories as we celebrate The Children’s Room yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Please RSVP by April 12th to event@childrensroom.org or call (781) 641-4741.
Hope you can join us!

These handmade bags are an important part of our “Rock Ceremony,” a ritual shared by every grieving family in our program. Whenever families gather at The Children’s Room, we end the visit holding hands in a big closing circle. Sometimes during closing circle we have a Rock Ceremony, marking a sendoff to a family ready to leave their bi-monthly support group.

A family is invited into the center of the closing circle, and each person picks a handmade bag to fill with rocks. One by one, each family member chooses a rough rock with sharp edges: this rock symbolizes the corner of their heart that feels painful because someone in their family has died. Then they each choose three smooth stones, to symbolize the enduring beauty of life and the parts of them that are shiny and whole, and perhaps stronger than before.

We recite the Rock Ceremony reading, which includes the words, “Because of what’s happened to you, you may always be stronger, more gentle, and more tender with all the people in your life. These stones were chosen just for you, and have special meaning.”

Many caring hands have collected rocks and sewn the handmade bags for our ceremony, and we welcome contributions!

We can all appreciate comforting rituals in the face of changes and challenges. Against a backdrop of uncertainty or difficulty, a ritual helps us pause and re-center our outlook. The Rock Ceremony at The Children’s Room is just one way to connect to our past and to each other, as we honor important feelings and memories together.

Sewing bags is a wonderful, hands-on volunteer activity.  For more information, contact us.