A Program for Grieving Children & Teens is a family support system for children and teenagers ages 3 to 18 who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling, grandparent, relative or friend.
The Program for Grieving Children & Teens is modeled on the nationally recognized Dougy Center for Grieving Children and Families in Oregon. Weekly sessions (from September through June) are offered in the early evening and provide a safe and trusting environment where feelings about the loss of a loved one may be expressed and shared with others in similar circumstances. Activities such as drawing, writing, art, music, and discussion will help children communicate their feelings. Sessions are offered free of charge in Lewiston/Auburn and Wilton.
Children are divided into roughly same-age groups for peer to peer support. These groups are staffed by volunteer facilitators. A separate facilitated group session is held at the same time for adult family members. Volunteers have completed a 30-hour training program designed and taught by both professional and lay people with extensive experience in bereavement issues. On-going professional supervision is provided for volunteers.
Since 1998, A Program for Grieving Children & teens has worked to support hundreds of children and teens during a time of personal loss. In 2010, the program launched a Multicultural Program to address the many losses of immigrant and refugee children living in Lewiston. This school-based program has already helped dozens of children express their feelings in safe and appropriate ways, enabling them to perform better at school and empower them to adapt to American Life.
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