'Children's Grief Awareness Day' Encourages Participants to Wear Blue on Thursday, Nov. 18 to Raise Awareness About the Needs of Grieving Children
PITTSBURGH, Nov. 15, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- As "Children's Grief Awareness Day" approaches on Thursday, Nov. 18, schools and communities throughout Pennsylvania and across the nation will unite by wearing blue to commemorate the day. This third annual event, founded by the Highmark Caring Place, A Center for Grieving Children, Adolescents and Their Families, focuses attention on the impact death has on children and what people can do to help a grieving child.
Nearly 300 Pennsylvania schools involved in the Caring Team for Children, an initiative of the Caring Place, are planning a variety of activities to commemorate Children's Grief Awareness Day. Other community groups and organizations are also getting involved.
"Children who have had someone die, especially a close family member, can feel the impact of that loss forever," said Caring Place Director Terese Vorsheck. "These children often feel alone, having to cope with their grief on their own. Children's Grief Awareness Day is an opportunity for all of us to let grieving children know that we care, that we support them and that they are not all alone in their grief."
Many will also show their support on the Children's Grief Awareness Day Facebook page and through various activities designed to raise awareness of the needs of grieving children. A Children's Grief Awareness Day Toolkit containing ideas for a range of activities is available free of charge at www.childrensgriefawarenessday.com.
The Highmark Caring Place provides peer support groups, referral services, adult telephone support and educational programs and resources for grieving children and families in four Pennsylvania facilities and online. In addition, consultation services, as well as educational presentations and resources, are available for schools and other professionals in the community who work with children. Caring Place programs and services are offered at no cost.
Additional resources are available through the Caring Place website or by contacting one of the four facilities in Pittsburgh, Erie, Lemoyne and Warrendale, Pa. The Caring Place is a signature partner of Highmark Healthy High 5, an initiative of the Highmark Foundation. In addition, the Caring Place is supported by community contributions. For more information, call 1-866-212-HOPE (4673).
SOURCE Highmark Caring Place
Share this article