Caring Team Schools Plan Events to Commemorate 'Children's Grief Awareness Day'
Highmark initiated observance attracts participants from across Pennsylvania and nationwide during its third year
PITTSBURGH, Nov. 9, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- During "Children's Grief Awareness Day" on Thursday, Nov. 18, children and adults throughout Pennsylvania and across the country will wear blue to commemorate the day and to show their support for grieving children. Now in its third year, this event originated 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.
Recent events in Pittsburgh, Erie and in Central Pa. involving more than 500 students from over 100 Pennsylvania schools involved in the Caring Team for Children, an initiative of the Caring Place, kicked off planning for a variety of activities to commemorate Children's Grief Awareness Day 2010. Other community groups and organizations and businesses in Pennsylvania and across the country are also getting involved. An online toolkit is available to assist individuals, groups and organizations that are interested in joining this initiative.
"When the children and families get together to support each other at the Caring Place, what they say to each other each week is: 'I am here for you, you are here for me, we are here for each other.' This pledge is amplified when we all wear blue to support grieving children on Nov. 18," said Caring Place Director Terese Vorsheck.
The Caring Place website provides a variety of online information about Children's Grief Awareness Day, and downloadable reference materials to help children and families who are grieving. A Facebook page has also been launched this year to help expand the reach and visibility of this national initiative.
Observances and activities are planned at schools and in communities across Pennsylvania and in a variety of other locations across the country on Nov. 18. Year round, 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 facilities and online. Caring Place programs and services are offered at no cost.
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 about the Caring Place, call 1-866-212-HOPE (4673).
SOURCE Highmark Caring Place
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