Fourth Annual "Children's Grief Awareness Day" on Nov. 17 Will Raise Awareness About the Needs of Grieving Children
PITTSBURGH, Nov. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- This Thursday, Nov. 17, children, schools and communities throughout Pennsylvania, across America and worldwide will unite by wearing blue to commemorate "Children's Grief Awareness Day." Now in its fourth year, the Highmark Caring Place, A Center for Grieving Children, Adolescents and Their Families, founded this observance day to focus 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, organizations and businesses are also getting involved.
"It is easy to get involved and to show children in Pennsylvania and around the world that we care," said Caring Place Director Terese Vorsheck. "Our new 'Holding on to HOPE' initiative has really taken flight, and we're receiving support from caring people around the world. Children who have had someone die, especially a close family member, can feel the impact of that loss forever, and on Children's Grief Awareness Day we will show them that we care."
Children's Grief Awareness Day is observed each year on the third Thursday in November. Thousands of students, along with thousands more children and adults from across the nation, will wear blue on Thursday to mark the day.
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. For more information, call 1-866-212-HOPE (4673).
SOURCE Highmark Caring Place
Share this article