Grief experienced following the loss of a family member, or even the impending loss to come, can be a terrible burden for anybody. For children and teens it can be even harder to deal with because coping mechanisms, perspective and peer support have not yet been fully developed.
These issues can be even more heavily exacerbated when the loved one lost has been a close family member who would otherwise be expected to provide support.
As emergency responders we frequently encounter families dealing with both sudden, as well as impending loss, and we are proud to be able to offer ongoing support for Delta’s youth after we have left the scene. The Delta Firefighters Charitable Society is proud to partner with the Delta Hospice Society to provide services to children and teens in our community who require support for grief and bereavement.
The Blue Skies Project provides funding for close to 75 children and teens from Delta every year for the following services:
- Expressive Art Therapy
- Individual Counselling
- Support Groups
- Respite Activities
- Phone Contact
- Literature and Workshops
- Family and Provider Education
Programs focus on helping children and teens deal with feelings surrounding death, learn appropriate ways of expressing feeling, reinforces positive emotions and provides an outlet to share special memories.