Helping Families Share & Heal
Children's Programs
One of the most invaluable resources that Hospice of Palm Beach County offers the community is the programs and services provided through the John J. Brogan Bereavement Center. Children's programs, supported solely through donated funds, include Ray of Hope, SeaStar, Camp SeaStar and Share.
Ray of Hope
Ray of Hope is designed to aid children, ages 5 to 18, who are facing the loss of a loved one due to a life-threatening illness. Christina Dekkar, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) for Hospice of Palm Beach County, visits schools in the county to help these children cope with grief. Each year more that one-hundred students receive group services. Groups must include at least three students and are six weeks long. Sessions last 45 minutes to an hour.
"The students I work with have so much courage," said Christina. "Death is such a difficult topic and the students I see are so open. They tell me all the time how much they love group because they usually have no one to talk to about their circumstances. I think the best part of the group atmosphere is that the students get a chance to meet others who are going through the same experience. It is amazing to see how much the children grow in just six weeks."
SeaStar and Camp SeaStar
SeaStar is a bereavement group associated with the Palm Beach County School system, and is intended to help kids – ages 5 to18– who have lost a loved one. This group is free to families associated with Hospice of Palm Beach County and is also available to others in the community – no family is turned down. The kids that attend this program have lost a loved one due to illness or from some type of accident.
"I give the kids the time and space they need to share and heal with each other," remarked Christina. "At the beginning of group, students report they have problems with sleeping, nightmares, fear, sadness and anger. By the last group, students have typically worked through the issues, and those symptoms have subsided or have dramatically decreased."
Camp SeaStar is for children who have experienced a loss and have had counseling through the John J. Brogan Bereavement Center. Counselors like Christina, and other volunteers, do activities that honor the children’s loved ones. Camp is for two nights, and children sleep in cabins. There is ample time for them to share their thoughts, support each other and get to know one another. And of course, there is plenty of fun.
Share
The Share program is geared toward adults who are dealing with a pregnancy or infant loss, or the death of a child under the age of five. This program guides adults through the grieving process, preparing them for moments of doubt, anger, guilt, frustration and unyielding heartache, while teaching them to mentally and physically take care of themselves. It helps them better understand their interactions between friends and family, which can be strange, because no one else can really understand what they are going through. They can share their thoughts and receive support from others who are also suffering.
Counselors at Hospice of Palm Beach County also offer individual programs and services for families. They can be done in an office setting, school, or at the family’s home. Thanks to the compassion, dedication and determination of the Hospice of Palm Beach County team, no child or family in Palm Beach County will have to grieve alone.
If you would like to donate to any of these programs, please visit the Hospice of Palm Beach County Foundation's Supported Programs page or call (561) 494-6887.