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	Childrens' Grief Support

Children Grieve Too \| How Children Cope With Grief \| Helping Children Understand Death \| Coping Through the Holidays After Losing a Loved One \| Transition Library \| How Can I Learn To Manage The Loss? \| Community Resources \| Widow & Widowers Social Group \| What May I Experience? \|

Good Mourning at Akron Children's Hospital

A bereavement program for grieving children and their parents

The death of a loved one is a traumatic and sad event for a family. For children and adolescents, it can be frightening and confusing. The focus of these groups will be to help a child or teen move through the changes brought about by a loved one and to make it a "good mourning" and not a time of despair.

SHARING & GROWING TOGETHER
Good Mourning, a support group provided free of charge by Akron Children's Hospital, is designed to help children and their parents understand and deal with feelings of grief brought on by the death of a loved one. At Good Mourning meetings, participants will share their feelings, and from that sharing, begin to deal with their grief.

CARING PROFESSIONALS
Good Mourning begins with a phone conversation between parent/caregiver and the group facilitator followed by a 6-week confidential support group led by trained, compassionate, Akron Children's Hospital and community professionals. These professionals lead age-appropriate activities while discussing relevant topics, including death, the funeral/memorial service, feelings, and moving on.

PROMOTING UNDERSTANDING
During the group meeting, we offer many activities that help children and their parents understand their feelings and come to terms with their loss.
The many valuable activities and resources include:

Grief support groups for 5-8 year olds, 9-12 year olds, and teens.

Support time for parents while their children meet in groups.

Professional from Akron Children's and the community trained to guide children in their grief work.

A list of books and other resources to help grieving children and their families.

MEETING TIMES & LOCATIONS
Groups meet in the Considine Professional Building at Akron Children's Hospital on Tuesday evenings, with parking provided in the adjacent Bowery St. deck. Dinner is served at 6:30 p.m. Groups meet from 7 to 8 p.m.

For dates and other information call the Chaplaincy Services Department at 330-543-8254 or visit their website at www.akronchildrens.org. Directions to the hospital can also be found on the website or call their Direction Finder at 330-543-8122.

2007 Series:
February 6 - March 13
April 17 - May 22
July 10 - August 14
September 25 - October 30

The Wilbert Foundation provides partial support of Good Mourning.