Grief Support

When a Child Loses a Loved One

Just like adults, children need to be able to express their grief, to talk about their feelings, to mourn and grow.

And, like adults, children who experience the death of a parent, sibling, relative or other close friend react in different ways. To assist our youngest clients with the grief process, the grief support team at Hospice & Palliative Care of Northeastern Illinois offers various support options:

Remember U

Hospice & Palliative Care of Northeastern Illinois provides this monthly grief support group for children and teens ages 6-18 and their parents/guardians. The goal is to give kids and parents a fun, creative and engaging place to share memories and grieve loss. Children will learn how to express their feelings in a safe environment, discover they are not alone in their grief and find hope and healing in the comfort of those also coping with grief and loss. Meetings are held on Tuesday evenings during Spring and Fall sessions each year at the Immanuel Lutheran School in Crystal Lake. Pizza is served to all prior to groups separating for age-appropriate activities/meetings. This program is funded by the Randy Salerno Foundation and the McHenry County Community Foundation. Advance registration is required.

Registration is currently being accepted for the Spring Session of Remember U. Please call our grief support department at 224-770-CARE or send an email.

Call 224-770-2480 for details and to register.

Camp Courage – A Summertime Day Camp For Children Who Have Experienced A Loss

You are Not Alone
Through its Center for Care, Hospice & Palliative Care of Northeastern Illinois hosts Camp Courage, a five-day fun-filled day camp focusing on hope and healing. Children ages 6-13, grieving the loss of a loved one, can explore and express their feelings in a safe, supportive and fun environment. Camp Courage 2012 is from Monday, July 9 to Friday, July 13 at Camp Duncan in Ingleside.

During Camp, kids can process loss and have fun through:

• Art That Matters Express your creativity and feelings through art.
• Music From the Soul As a team, write and perform your own song/rap with a professional musician.
• Go Team, Go! Work with your new friends to complete an outdoor obstacle course.
• Showtime! Be entertained with a puppet show, storytelling and a few great surprises.
• What’s Up Doc? Our medical expert answers your questions about the loss of your loved one.
• Make a Splash! Swim in the indoor pool with a lifeguard on duty.
• Row, Row, Row Your Boat! Canoe, row or paddle boat on Fish Lake.
• Pig-Out! Bring your appetite for a family cookout.
• Tree of Memories Remember your loved one at a special family tribute service.

Activities specific for the parents and guardians are included as well.

For information about next year’s camp, call the Center for Care at 224-770-CARE.

Click here to download a PDF of the 2011 Camp Courage Brochure.

Volunteers are needed for this fun, special event. Adults and teens accepted. Contact the Center for Care for information!