Rainbows Newsletter - Fall 2020
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November 19th: National Children's Grief Awareness Day |
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Each year, we ask the Building Owners and Managers Association of Chicago to light the buildings BLUE in recognition of National Children's Grief Awareness Day, November 19th. This month is also Pancreatic Cancer Awareness and the color for that issue is purple.
Suzy Yehl Marta, the late Founder of Rainbows, died from pancreatic cancer on January 13, 2013. Given this disease took such an essential person from all of us way too soon we honor that awareness campaign, as well.
When you happen to see the Chicago skyline in person, on the news or in a photograph, lit up in BLUE this week or purple next, we hope you will pause to think of Suzy and Rainbows and her life-saving mission to help youth find hope and healing after loss.
Many adults are quick to dismiss the depth to which children and teens can grieve after loss and are not aware that youth, too, need consistent care and support. Children grieve differently than adults, who tend to process loss more on a continuum. With less-developed emotional maturity, children can only grieve for small periods of time--what we call "sad attacks"--so it can often appear they have "bounced back" from tragedy with no apparent harm. The truth is while children can be very resilient, they often need to be taught the coping mechanisms and given tools to manage their grief before they can fully come to terms with it in a healthy way. If they are not well supported, this can lead to a build-up of stress to the point of it being highly toxic to both their immediate and long-term physical and mental health.
Join us in bringing awareness to this mission! Grab some blue socks, take a selfie and tag Rainbows for All Children on your social media posts. Help us to shine a bright, BLUE light on children's grief throughout the month.
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Available free on YouTube
This documentary explores mythologist Joseph Campbell's studies about self discovery and what he called "The Hero's Journey."
Not Rated (but more for adults)
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Big Hero 6
Available on Disney+ and Prime Video
After Hiro's older brother, Tadashi, dies tragically, Hiro must cope with his grief. He ends up befriending a robot created by his brother, named Baymax. Together, the pair teams up to help save their city from evil!
Rated PG
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Continuing Suzy's Mission
photo: Suzy and one of her groups in 1992
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Our children and teens have been heavily impacted by grief as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic that is sweeping our world. Given that the number of cases are continuing to rise with no immediate end, we know this means there are many who will continue to need support. In an upcoming letter from our Executive Director, Stephanie Garrity, you will be asked to help us meet the growing need.
Already, 181 volunteers have completed the Silver Linings training and have begun implementing community crisis support groups both near and far. Beginning in April, Rainbows Australia was able to offer Silver Linings to children, including Indigenous Australians, affected both by the pandemic as well as the preceding wildfires. Groups that met here in Evanston this summer shared feelings about COVID, but also how they've been affected by racism and equity issues, police brutality, and other traumas.
Addressing children's grief and providing them the problem-solving and coping skills necessary to manage their stress, anger and sadness is more crucial now than ever before. If you are able to provide a donation of any amount to help Rainbows continue to lessen the likelihood of poor health outcomes for these children later in life, please consider giving. Your donation will be used to provide support in communities that cannot otherwise afford these important programs, and allow us to continue to reach more children and their families where support is greatly needed and is often lacking.
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In honor of National Children's Grief Awareness, we are offering a 20% discount on all materials in our online store from now until 12/31. Use promo code Sunbeams20 when checking out online or mention it if you are calling in or emailing your order.
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We now have all parent/guardian materials for Rainbows and Silver Linings available in Spanish and Mandarin. We expect to have them in Arabic as well by the end of 2020. In 2021, the goal is to have everything also available in French, and for the parent/guardian survey assessments and the registration forms to also be available in all of those languages. If you would like to volunteer to assist with the 2021 projects, please email us at info@rainbows.org. Thank you!
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In an effort to keep our staff, interns and volunteers safe, we are temporarily closing the Rainbows HQ office until the number of COVID cases decreases to a safer level again. Please do NOT call the office or leave a voicemail. The best way to reach us at this time is via email, info@rainbows.org. We will be working from home.
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A Tiny Step Forward
Writer and therapist, Charlene Khaghan, and Jill Starishevsky's picture book was written to let young children (ages 4-8) know if they have lost someone close, be it friend or family member, it is okay to feel upset and miss the person they are grieving. As life moves on, it is okay to once again feel happy and to enjoy life as their loved one would have wanted for them.
Though each day may only be a "tiny step forward," the authors hope is that the final stanza of the book will always serve as a reminder that our loved ones are never truly gone as long as they live in our hearts.
The book includes a section designated for kids to include a photo of their loved one and space to include some of their favorite thoughts and memories.
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Children of Incarcerated Parents |
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Rainbows groups are designed to include children with incarcerated parents, and they are welcomed just as warmly as any other participant. We also recognize these children and teens often have complicated grief that comes from the stigma this specific loss can carry. For that reason, they are not always comfortable in "mixed loss" groups and some prefer to be with peers who can more closely identify with their unique circumstances.
To address this issue, Rainbows is releasing a special training in 2021 for facilitators who may encounter children with incarcerated parents, sometimes referred to as CIPS. The training provides information about some of the different challenges CIPS might face (e.g. what it is like to visit a parent in prison) and will encourage facilitators to check their own biases to be equitable and non-judgmental.
We also realize there are millions of youth struggling with this specific loss and the need is enormous. Should you come across CIPS who would prefer to be in a group of peers with their same loss, this is a great organization to which to refer them.
Project Avary provides support for children with a parent who is or was incarcerated. In response to the pandemic, they have expanded their program to reach more people by moving online, and beyond the Bay Area of California to serve children nationwide. Their online 6-week program is free and will be held on Zoom.
Here are the requirements to join:
- Have a parent who is or was incarcerated
- Be between the ages of 10-15
- Be willing and able to commit to attending all 6 initial group meetings
- Be aware of parent's incarceration
- Be meaningfully impacted by this experience
- Have internet and device access during scheduled group times
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Fun Gifts for the Holidays |
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Rainbows is teaming up with Kidoodles and Sheryl's Crafty Gifts to raise money and awareness for Rainbows.
You won't want to miss this virtual shopping event!
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Please help us welcome our newest Rainbows sites!
American History High School - Newark, NJ
Ann Street - Newark, NJ
Apollo Elementary - Des Plaines, IL
Cornerstone Community Church - San Clemente, CA
Fieldcrest Intermediate - Toluca, IL
First Presbyterian Church - Verona, NJ
Hugs From Cara - Auburn, NY
Julie Bililart School - Lyndhurst, OH
Landmark Christian School - Fairburn, GA
Melzer School - Morton Grove, IL
Mount Paran Christian School - Kennesaw, GA
P.S. 195 - Bronx, NY
Pickaway Co. Library - Circleville, OH
Saint Isaac Jogues - Hinsdale, IL
St. Paul's Lutheran - Muskego, WI
Thirteenth Avenue - Newark, NJ
UCAN Academy - Chicago, IL
Xavier Catholic Schools - Cedar Rapids, IA
Zane Trace Middle School and High School - Chillicothe, OH
Plus over 300 Chicago Public Schools!!
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