COMMUNITY News:ALBUQUERQUE ― The Children’s Grief Center of New Mexico, which offers free support groups during the school year, is providing free summer activities for children and their families who have experienced the death of a loved one.
- Good Grief Day Camp: June 17 – The Children’s Grief Center is hosting a six hour day camp for children aged seven to high school senior who have had someone they love die. Good Grief Day Camp offers fun and healing through outdoor activities/challenges, sharing circles/crafts, a closing presentation and butterfly release. The day camp is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Children’s Grief Center. Parents return at 2:15 p.m., for a briefing on how to support their child in the coming days. Register by June 12 by calling 505.323.0478.
- Family Day: July 15 – The Children’s Grief Center will be hosting a three hour Family Day for families grieving the death of a loved one. Families will have an opportunity to work on a healing art activity as a family, with time to share with others. Family Day at the Children’s Grief Center is 9 a.m. to noon. Families are encouraged to stay for lunch for the opportunity to connect and speak with other families. Register by July 12 by calling 505.323.0478.
- Back to School Bootcamp: Aug. 1 – The Children’s Grief Center is hosting a 1.5 hour workshop for young people and their guardians to help prepare students for the new school year after the death of a loved one. Back to School Bootcamp is about improving education outcomes for bereaved students. Bereaved kids often struggle in school, especially the first year after the loss. The death of a loved one impacts the child’s ability to concentrate, to remember; even their immune system is compromised. School, like home, suddenly goes from being a safe place to a very challenging place. Back to School Bootcamp is 6-7:30 p.m., at the Children’s Grief Center. Register by July 31 by calling 505.323.0478.
The mission of Children’s Grief Center is to provide a safe and supportive environment where children, teens, and their families can share experiences while grieving a death. Support groups take place on weekday evenings in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho, while the annual Camp Corazon is designed for children in rural New Mexico that cannot reach our services.
Since 2001, we have trained hundreds of volunteer bereavement facilitators, who support over 500 children and their families annually. Thanks in part to our generous sponsors, whom are all private donors and contributors – all of these critical services continue to be available to families at no charge. For more information, call 505.323.0478 or info@childrensgrief.org.
