National Day to Encourage Support for Grieving Youth
Children’s Grief Awareness Day is Nov. 18, and HopeWest encourages the community to show their support by wearing blue.
This day is designed to help us become more aware of the needs of grieving children — and the benefits they obtain through supporting others. Children grieve differently than adults and need to be heard, especially during this time. Our goal is to generate awareness and support for kids in our communities.
Showcase your organization or family’s support by wearing blue and tagging HopeWest on Instagram @hopewestco or Facebook @HopeWestCO or use the hashtag #CGADHopeWest and #CGADHope.
“It is important to remember that there are children all around us who have experienced the death of a loved one,” said Joni Beckner, Director of HopeWest Kids. “The day is an opportunity to let children know they’re not forgotten, and we want to support them as they grieve.”
If you are in the Montrose area, they will have a Remembrance Tree on display at the Heirlooms store in Montrose. Children or teens who have had a loved one die are invited to create an ornament to honor their special person and put on the tree or create a sidewalk chalk message. Contact Teri at (970) 240-7734 if you would like an ornament to decorate and include on the tree. Ornaments can also be created and added to the tree on November 18.
If you are in Grand Junction, they will be decorating Andy’s tree located by the Miller Homestead on the Ferris Care Center campus. The tree will be adorned with ornaments with messages of support written on them to help grieving children during this hard time. Contact Joni 970-245-5377 for more details.
For more resources on how you can help a grieving child, please get in touch with HopeWest Kids at (970) 254-5377 or visit HopeWestCO.org. A reminder will go out on Wednesday morning and will also list area-specific activities.