Chesapeake Life Center will begin the second half of 2019 with new grief programs for kids and teens; two in Prince George’s County and a new art program in Anne Arundel County.
New to the schedule is its Prince George’s County Teen Support Group for youth ages 13 to 18 to connect with others their age who also grieve the death of a loved one. Its first meeting will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Sept. 11. Call for location and to speak with a counselor prior to attending the first meeting.
Another exciting new program is the Prince George’s County Children’s Grief Day Camp. It will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 17 at the College Park Airport and the Aviation Museum and will be an interactive workshop experience where children ages 6 to 12 can explore their grief, make friends and have a lot of fun. Through art, play, conversations and support, children will develop new ways to handle the difficult task of grieving while learning they are not alone. The program includes snacks and lunch and an activity in the aviation museum. The cost is $40.
In October, the center will be partnering with Artsy Partsy in Pasadena for Grief-fiti. These interactive creative workshops invite kids to pair art activities with grief experiences and illustrate their grief, their way. While engaging in creative experiences, counselors will guide children through conversations and share additional ways of living with loss while connecting with others who have also experienced loss. The first session is for children ages 6 to 12 and will meet from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 5. The second session is for teens ages 13 to 18 and will meet from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 16. There is a nominal fee to cover the cost of materials.
Other grief programs for children and teens that meet regularly on the John & Cathy Belcher Campus in Pasadena are on hiatus during the summer months, but will return as follows in September:
- Stepping Stones, a monthly support group for children ages 6 to 12 grieving the loss of a loved one, will resume from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 7. The cost is $10 per child, maximum $20 per family, and includes breakfast.
- Phoenix Rising, a monthly group for teens ages 13 to 18 grieving the loss of a loved one, will resume from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18. A meal will be provided along with games and other activities. The cost is $10 per child; maximum $20 per family.
- Pre-Teen Group is a recently added monthly support group for pre-teens and early teens to connect and share with others who have lost a loved one. It meets at the same time and place as the Phoenix Rising group and will resume from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18. The meeting will include a light dinner and activities. The cost is $10 per child; maximum $20 per family.
Pre-registration is required for all these programs and must be completed before attending by calling 888-501-7077 or emailing griefinfo@chesapeakelifecenter.org.
