March 31, 2015:
Children and their family members who have experienced the death of a loved one can support each other in their grief journey thanks to Forget-Me-Not, a new grief support group offered by HopeWest. Forget-Me-Not is free and open to children ages 5–18 and their family members.
The group will meet every Thursday night, from April 9 through May 21 from 5:00–7:00 p.m. at the HopeWest Hospice Care Center at 3090 N. 12th Street, Grand Junction. Dinners prepared by HopeWest volunteers will be served at the beginning of each session. Forget-Me-Not provides education on and support regarding the grieving process through the use of games, art and craft projects, and music. Children and teens will work in age specific groups, as will parents, allowing participants to connect with peers facing similar experiences.
“Knowing you aren’t alone on your grief journey makes such a difference in the lives of kids and adults,” said Cathy DiPaola, Director of Youth Programs at HopeWest. “Attending a grief group together helps family members learn coping skills they can use at home.
“We will help families navigate this difficult journey,” DiPaola added.
At the conclusion of the group each family will receive a Forget-Me-Not memory bear or pillow sewn by a HopeWest volunteer out of a garment of clothing from the family’s loved one who died. It will serve as a special memory object for the family to treasure as they learn to along their grief journey.
Forget-Me-Not is a free community service offered by HopeWest. Pre-registration is required and registration will close after the second session on April 16. To register, please call HopeWest Kids at (970)245-5377.