The Caring Network for Grieving Children and their Families, formerly
known as The Shoreline West Cove, is a support program for grieving
children and their families. The mission of the program is to provide
safe harbors for grieving children. The program is co-sponsored
by the Cody-White Funeral Home, St. Gabriel’s School and St. Barbara’s
Greek Orthodox Church in Orange.
The Caring Network for Grieving
Children and Their Families provides twice-monthly support group
sessions where children and their families can receive support,
understanding and nurturing from skilled professionals and trained
volunteers. These nights include games, art projects, and special
activities and ceremonies to help children learn to acknowledge
and express their grief – and begin the process of moving on with
their lives. Often for the first time, they are with other children
who have suffered the same type of loss so they don’t feel different
or isolated.
There is no fee for the service but each family is
asked to pledge what they can afford.The Caring Network for Grieving
Children and Their Families is fiscally supported by Cody White
Funeral Home and local pledges. The two sites that we utilize for
the Cove nights – St. Gabriel’s School and St. Barbara’s Greek
Orthodox Church – provide space at no cost to the program. We also
receive donations of supplies and food from a variety of businesses
and persons.
The Caring Network for Grieving Children and Their
Families is directed by a program director that is a licensed mental
health professional. The program utilizes the skills of trained
volunteers that are carefully screened, selected and guided by
the program director and receive initial and ongoing training about
children and grief. In addition, they meet with the staff before
and after each session of the group for continuing education.
|
