We are excited to share that The Children’s Room has made a significant impact at the 2024 National Alliance for Children’s Grief (NACG) Annual Symposium. Our Associate Program Director for Family and Expressive Arts, Laurie Moskowitz-Corrois, and Program Coordinator for Center-based Services, Lucy Bingham, presented a thought-provoking session on ‘Reimagining… Discovering the Value of Virtual Services.
Laurie and Lucy brought to light one of TCR’s unique direct grief services for families: Family Night. This monthly virtual gathering is a platform for families, including extended members like grandparents, cousins, neighbors, and friends, to unite and engage in meaningful projects. These activities foster reflection and aid families in processing their experiences following a death loss, offering a unique and valuable support system.
The NACG workshop was a pivotal moment for attendees to reflect on and reimagine the transition from in-person to virtual services and back again. It was a testament to the resilience and adaptability of our programs. TCR’s virtual services adapted and thrived, offering accessibility, accommodation, and a safe environment for children, teens, and parents. This success reaffirms our unwavering commitment to meeting the evolving needs of the families we serve, ensuring they feel valued and supported.
Family Night, a virtual offering that has thrived, is a testament to the success of our programs. As we applied our learnings and listened to feedback from families, we recognized the profound value of this unique method of program delivery. Throughout the year, Family Night has expanded and deepened the at-home experiences of participating families. This growth reflects our dedication to supporting families on their grief journeys.
At the NACG session, Laurie and Lucy shared the rationale behind making Family Night a virtual event, the thoughtful adaptations implemented, and the therapeutic benefits of expressive arts in supporting family well-being. For instance, we transitioned from in-person activities to providing packets of materials for each monthly activity for the families, which were shipped to them to use during the activity from their homes. Their presentation demonstrated how TCR’s innovative approaches inspire hope and meaning making.
We are proud of Laurie and Lucy for representing TCR at the symposium and for their ongoing contributions to the field of children’s grief support. Their work highlights the importance of flexible, accessible services that meet families where they are, especially during challenging times.
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