Services for Children and Youth
Parental Divorce/Separation
Rainbows
“From Hurt, Through Healing, To Hope”
When something significant happens in a family, the entire family is affected. When the parents separate or divorce, not only do the parents grieve, the children do also. Because of their age and limited life experiences, children find it extremely difficult to verbalize their feelings.
This support group will help them come to an acceptance of what has happened in their family. They can confidentially share their concerns, hopes, worries and fears with their peers and know they are not alone.
What Is The RAINBOWS Program?
Children and adolescents grieving a loss need support as
well as healing. These needs touch an ever-increasing
number of youths each year. RAINBOWS provides effective peer support
programs for children, and teens of all ages grieving the loss
of a parent due to divorce, separation, abandonment, and adoption.
RAINBOWS is available to all children and is free
of charge.
When/Where Will RAINBOWS Begin?
· This program is offered two times each year.
· Usual start dates are early January and September.
· Sessions are two hours once a week for fourteen weeks.
Each site offers all the elements:
· RAINBOWS Level 1-4: ages 6-13
· SPECTRUM Level 1-2: ages 14-18
· PRISM: parent, step-parent segment
If you are interested in enrolling your child, or know someone
who is in
need of this program please call 423-9922 Ext. 222.
Volunteers for the RAINBOW program are welcomed.
Loss Through Death
“Any child old enough to love is old enough to grieve.”
Programs:
Time to Talk (Ages 6-12)
Tag (Ages 13 -17)
An eight-week, group counselling program for children/adolescents
who are grieving the loss of a significant individual in their
lives. Children, like adults, must be allowed to grieve in rhythm
to their own character and personality.
Supporting the primary caregiver is an important part of supporting
children/youth. A parental/caregiver segment is offered simultaneously
with the children/youth group.
Participants will gain an understanding of:
- what constitutes a healthy grief process,
- the importance of self care and external support,
- skills to use when dealing with future losses.
Participants will:
- have a safe place to explore their thoughts and feelings,
- have an opportunity to interact with others impacted by loss.
Children/adolescents are provided with an opportunity to use art in communication their feelings. Art offers a strong supportive basis for communication as it allows thoughts and feelings to flow freely onto paper.
Why: Death is a natural part of the cycle of life-all things are born, grow and die. Our exposure to death and how we learn to relate to death is shaped by our experiences and by how those around us deal with death. Grief can have long lasting effects into adult life if it is not resolved. All too often, adults do not understand what a child needs after suffering a loss or how they can best provide the help that a child needs.
Who: Individuals who have experienced the loss through death of an individual in their life. Groups are open to both boys and girls. Participants are clustered in groups according to age and developmental stage.
When: Groups are scheduled to run three times a year. Please contact the office or our website for dates and times.
Normal grief reactions can include:
 |
· Shock or numbness | · Denial |
| · Panic or alarm | · Fear | |
| · Anger | · Guilt/regrets | |
| · Idealization | · Tears | |
| · Relief at death | · Physical reactions | |
| · Disorganization | · Regression | |
| · Low self-esteem | · Loneliness/yearning | |
| · Depression and apathy | · Searching | |
| · Changing roles | · Hyperactivity, or restlessness |
Some examples of trouble signs includes:
|
· Delinquent behaviour | · Self destructive behaviour |
| · Problems in school |
· Dramatic change in academic performance | |
| · Angry outbursts |
