There are no magic words to soften the blows that so many when a family member is dealing with a life-threatening illness or when there is the unexpected loss of a parent or sibling. When the unthinkable happens in a family, the adults are thrown into unfamiliar territory and often feel ill-equipped to provide the needed assurance and support to their children. Both children and teens can feel frightened, anxious and isolated. HEART play is a free program provided by Parmenter that uses the expressive arts to help children and teens through these difficult times. With guidance and support, young people have the opportunity to document their fears and losses through visual expression, movement, music, writing or storytelling. The creative process, the sharing among children and the artwork all invite a new understanding about life and death and opens the door to healing. Upcoming HEART play Workshops are scheduled for February 9, March 16, April 6. Workshops on each day are scheduled by participant age. More information is available by calling Jennifer Wiles at 508-358-3000,ext 244 and by looking at the Parmenter website.
Parmenter will be offering a 7 week Adult Bereavement Support Group. The aim of this bereavement group is to provide a safe place for you to talk about your loss with others who are also grieving, and hopefully to provide you support in the process of healing. This group will be meeting times are from 6-7:3opm, on Wednesdays beginning February 6th through March 27th. If you would be interested in attending this group, please call Jen at 508-358-3000 to register.
The HEART play Workshops and Adult Bereavement Support Groups will meet at the Parmenter Office, located at 266 Cochituate Road in Wayland. Parmenter Community Health Care is the local nonprofit hospice, visiting nurse and community services agency offering these programs free of charge to local communities. Parmenter has a long term commitment to providing support for families experiencing loss. In recognition of this commitment and the depth of our clinical skills, Parmenter has recently been awarded a grant from the Moyer Foundation to establish a Camp Erin-Boston in the summer of 2013. More details about this exciting and profoundly meaningful development are available at www.camperinboston.org
