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Kids Count TOO!
Helping Children & Families Cope
When a Parent has Cancer
A
diagnosis of cancer affects the entire
family. At Kids Count, Too! (KCT)
children and parents learn that they are
not alone in dealing with cancer. In a
safe, nurturing environment, KCT gives
children the opportunity to better understand
what is happening in their families. Participants
share feelings and coping strategies as
well as build a support network of peers.
KCT is a unique and valuable program for
families at all stages of cancer diagnosis.
The
children’s program is activity based.
Through the use of creative projects,
games, writing, drawing and song children
learn how to incorporate the ideas they
learn in the program into their own lives.
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Gail, TWC participant with
her daughter.
Steve Marsel, Photographer
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Kids
Count, Too! is for children ages 5-12
and for teen mentors ages 13-18. The
program is facilitated by licensed mental
health professionals who have experience
with children and families coping with
cancer. A parent’s group meets at
the same time as the children’s group.
KCT
is FREE of charge and is held the
2nd Saturday of each month from 1:00 to
3:00 PM, September through June. We
ask families to RSVP one week in advance.
Kids Connection
Providing Grief Support for Children
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Dr. Susan Pories,
Professional Advisory Board Member,
with her son.,
Steve Marsel, Photographer
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Kids
Connection is a bereavement support
group for children ages 7-12 who have
lost a parent to cancer and whose family
has been previously involved with The
Wellness Community. Little Kids Connection offers a similar program for children ages 3-7.
Kids
Connection and Little Kids Connection is a program in
which the children meet in a small group
and have an opportunity to reflect on
their loss through creative activities
and games. A parent support group meets simultaneously.
The purpose of Kids Connection
is to create a safe and supportive environment
which provides developmentally appropriate
education about the process of grieving
and experiential opportunities
to explore
and express their feelings.
Kids Connection will meet at our
space in Newton on alternating Thursdays from 3:45 to 5:00 PM. Like
all programs at TWC, there is no charge
to participants and we ask families
to RSVP one week in advance to Karen Fasciano, Psy.D..
Teen
Networking
Starting Tuesday, March 15, 2005
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Heather, TWC participant,
with her boys.
Steve Marsel, Photographer
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Grab a pillow and a slice of pizza and join us to hear and talk about life when your parent has cancer.
During our first meeting on March 15th we will hear the stories of teens whose mom or dad has cancer.
The group will meet every first and third Tuesday of the month. Teens whose parent have cancer are encouraged to drop in and talk with other teens living with a parent’s cancer.
Topics that may come up include:
how life at home changes when your parent is sick
how your relationship with your mom or/and dad changes
how your friends treat you now
how to still have time for your friends
When a Parent has Cancer
Strengthening the Schools Response
School
Consultation
Mental health clinicians from The Wellness
Community are available to speak with
both school personnel and parents about
how to create a supportive school environment
for the student who has a parent with
cancer. This service can take the form
of a telephone conversation, a school
visit or a parental guidance session.
School Workshop for Educators
Join us for our annual When a Parent
Has Cancer: Strengthening the School's
Response conference. Educators eager
to learn how they can help children
and families cope with the impact of
parental cancer will benefit from this
FREE, comprehensive conference.
Participants
will hear from professionals experienced
with the needs of children, families and
school communities, how to work together
to support children who have a parent
with cancer.
Tuesday,
November 9, 2004
8:00a.m. to 4:30p.m.
www.hurricanevoices.org/conference
Co-Sponsored by
Hurricane Voices and
The Wellness Community
Call 617-928-3300 for more information.
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