This fall brings new and exciting ways of doing things at The Children’s Room. We continue to be committed to providing direct grief support services – both in person at our Center in Arlington, in the Community at Schools or Community Organizations, and through our Education and Training programs. We are passionate about offering programs for children and teens (ages 3 ½ to 18 yrs.) who have had a parent or sibling die, as well as to their parents and caregivers, with the goal of providing grief support in a variety of ways for families. We also focus on delivering grief education and training to professionals to enhance support for those working with grieving children and teens.
More Information about The Children’s Room Fall Center-Based Services
The Children’s Room is ready to welcome children, teens, and their families to our Center-Based Programs this Fall. We understand that grief support isn’t ‘one size fits all’ and that flexibility and accessibility are key. That’s why we’re continuing to offer a blended program model, with some sessions held in person at our Center in Arlington and others conducted virtually on Zoom. We’ve designed an array of services that cater to a range of needs and schedules of our community:
What’s on the Fall Calendar?
- Family-Based Peer Support Groups: These groups provide families the opportunity to share in the experience of coming to The Children’s Room together, while also allowing for individual group space for kids, teens, and adults to be with peers who have experienced a similar loss. Groups provide a nurturing, supportive environment to share experiences, engage in activities around grief and loss, and foster a sense of connection with others who ‘get it.’
- Family Night: Join us for an evening of connection and creativity as you remember your person who died. Family Night provides the opportunity to gather together as a family and is centered around a creative arts activity focused on memories and meaning-making. Extended family members are encouraged to participate, and materials are mailed home before each session, as this service meets on Zoom.
- Teen Specific Programs: Our offerings for 8th-12th graders are tailored to the unique needs of teens and allow them to connect in a variety of ways with other peers who have had a parent or sibling die. Teen groups provide an in-depth space to connect with others and share experiences, and teen events provide a social space for teens to meet others while enjoying a fun, age-appropriate activity.
- Virtual Adult-Only Group: Accessibility and flexibility are important to us, and these groups reflect that. Our online peer-support groups are held on Zoom and are for adults who have experienced the death of a spouse/partner, a former spouse/partner, or a child. There is space for conversation, connection, and community with others who have a similar loss experience. Please note: spouse/partner loss groups and child loss groups meet separately. These groups are for adults not participating in our Family Based Groups.
- Parenting While Grieving: Navigating parenting can be challenging, especially after a loss. This psycho-educational group provides a space to learn about child development and grief, gain parenting strategies and coping skills, share valuable insights, and connect with others around parenting a child who has experienced the death of a parent or sibling.
Programs Are Starting Now, With Staggered Start Times
Our programs have begun! However, we’ve tailored our program calendar to reach children, teens and their families at multiple touch points throughout the year. We are happy to discuss our groups and program options with you at any time, so please reach out if you would like more information.
Please contact us at info@childrensroom.org to learn more about the necessary intake and registration process for each program.
- Family-Based Peer Support Groups begin in October and run through June. They meet every other week.
- Family Night is offered September-May, and meets monthly.
- Teen Specific Programs take place October-June and meet in a variety of ways. Groups meet weekly or bi-weekly, and Events take place monthly on the weekend.
- Virtual Adult-Only Groups begin in October, and run through June. They meet every other week.
- Parenting While Grieving meets for six consecutive weeks and is offered four times throughout the year.
Learn More and Get in Touch
Click here for detailed program descriptions, schedules and registration information. If you have any questions or know a family in need of our services, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at info@childrensroom.org.
This entry is by Jen Noonan, Program Director for Center-Based Services. Learn more about the TCR team here.
