The work of The Children's Room extends far beyond the walls of our center in Arlington.
The Children's Room first began offering off-site peer support groups in 2010, bringing together teens at Lexington High School who had experienced the death of a close family member.
Over the past four years TCR has expanded these groups to multiple schools and after-school programs in the Boston area including Boys & Girls Clubs in Chelsea and Dorchester.
TCR staff works in collaboration with the club social workers to coordinate and facilitate groups on-site, making grief support accessible to children in their own communities.
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Children and teens from the Chelsea Boys & Girls Club participated in an activity day at TCR in April
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TCR's first Boys & Girls Club group took place last fall with children in Chelsea and was followed this spring by a teen group and an educational series for parents and guardians. A children's group took place this spring at the Blue Hills Boys & Girls Club in Dorchester.
When the support group series comes to a close, a Family Dinner Night provides an opportunity for children and their families to further connect with one another.
Through this collaboration TCR is able to offer our expertise in grief support while building on the strength of the youth programs already in place.
This hasn't been the first time The Children's Room has partnered with Boys & Girls Clubs.
TCR's Education Director, Deborah Rivlin, has also trained staff at Clubs in Boston, sharing practical strategies on how to support children and teens who have suffered a loss.
In addition to Chelsea and Dorchester, The Children's Room has spoken with other Boys & Girls Clubs in the area and is exploring offering additional site-based grief support groups at other clubs in the coming year.
As this important community partnership strengthens and grows, The Children's Room is able to reach more children and families who may otherwise not be able to access our grief support services.
We're grateful to the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Boston area for helping create safe, supportive communities so that no child, teen, or family has to grieve alone.
If you know of a school or community organization interested in partnering with TCR to offer grief support programs, please contact
Colleen Shannon (Associate Program Director - Youth & Community Outreach) at
[email protected].