December 2014 Newsletter    

 

Survivor's Leadership Academy: 
Partnering with the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute
 
Through collaboration and community outreach, The Children's Room is able to serve many more children, teens, and families who have been affected by the death of someone close to them.

TCR staff help lead a children's group 
at the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute
For a few years, TCR has been collaborating with the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute, a Boston non-profit organization that assists and empowers families impacted by violence by providing support to survivors of homicide.

Recently, staff from The Children's Room helped facilitate a children's group as part of the Peace Institute's Survivor's Leadership Academy.

The four-week series focused on mindfulness as a tool for self-care and healing.

While adults participated in various workshops, children met in their own group with others who have had similar loss experiences.
Children participating in a Survivor's Leadership Academy activity

Through expressive activities, children shared memories of the person who died and learned about coping strategies relating to mindfulness, such as breathing exercises and focusing on their five senses.

The Children's Room was honored to have this opportunity to continue building on our collaborative work with this important organization. 

Sharing our skills and experiences with each other is another benefit of TCR's partnership with the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute. 

Earlier this month, interns from TCR attended a training at the Peace Institute on sand tray play as a therapeutic activity, and TCR hosted Peace Institute interns at our Arlington center for a training on children and grief. We look forward to our continued collaboration!
 
New Service for Families:
Parenting While Grieving Child Loss Series
 
TCR is offering a new service to families who have experienced the death of a child.

This educational series is designed to help support parents and guardians grieving the death of a child and raising children between the ages of 3 and 18 years old who now have had a sibling loss.

This eight-week series will begin on Wednesday, January 21st and will meet weekly from 7:00 - 8:30pm. 

During these interactive group meetings, we will explore the impact of loss on children, the unique aspects of sibling loss, developmental reactions to the grief process, and strategies for dealing with the challenges of parenting while grieving.  

There is no cost to participate, but space is limited. 

 
Meet TCR's 2015 Boston Marathon Team!
 
We're proud to introduce the 6 runners of our Miles & Memories Marathon Team!

Click on each runner's name to learn why they're running 26.2 miles to support grieving children, teens, and families.

miles & memories logo







The Children's Room will be hosting a Boston Marathon Kick-Off Reception for our team on Thursday, January 8th at 7:00pm. 

If you are interested in attending and meeting this year's runners, please RSVP to marathon@childrensroom.org.

John Hancock logo

Thank you to the John Hancock Marathon Non-Profit Program for granting us bibs for the 2015 Boston Marathon.
 
Children's Grief Awareness Day
 
Children's Grief Awareness Day is observed each year on the Thursday before Thanksgiving.

This year, The Children's Room took our message out into the community to raise awareness of the need for grief support for children, teens, and families.

Activities and informational displays at our Arlington center and several schools and community locations invited children, teens, and adults to share their thoughts on grief and learn they are not alone.
blue butterfly art display at TCR

Bright blue hearts with handwritten messages were then transformed into a beautiful butterfly display, the symbol of Children's Grief Awareness Day, at The Children's Room.

 
A Special Birthday Donation
 
For her 6th birthday, Maddy decided she didn't need any more presents. Instead, she wanted to help other kids, so her mom helped her research some local organizations.

Maddy watched the video on TCR's website and heard from kids and teens who were supported by The Children's Room after their parent or sibling died. She decided she wanted to do something to help - she wanted to collect gifts for her birthday to donate to kids at The Children's Room.

After her birthday, Maddy visited TCR with her mom and brother to donate her gifts. She took a tour through our big, friendly house and was excited to see the fun activities available for kids - including the art room, high energy room, and the huge assortment of sand tray items.

Thank you, Maddy, for your special birthday donation!

If you are interested in making a unique donation or hosting an event to benefit TCR, please contact Becca Harris, Development Assistant, at becca@childrensroom.org or 781-641-4741 x334.
 
Community Candle Lighting at TCR
 
Everyone is warmly invited to join us for an evening of remembrance, comfort, and hope in the new year.
Friday, January 23, 2015
6:30 - 8:30pm
at The Children's Room

RSVPs are kindly requested.


 
Grief & the Holidays
 
Navigating the holiday season can feel overwhelming, especially if you're grieving.

Click here to read some thoughts on coping with grief during the holidays.

 
Fitness Bootcamp 
to Benefit TCR
 
Cost of attending is a donation in any amount, with all proceeds going to TCR. Anyone is welcome!

Bootcamp For A Cause
Sunday, December 21
9am - 10am

153 North St., Lexington

Many thanks to Accelerated Fitness and Rich Ruffing for their continued support of TCR!

 
Amazon Smile
 
You can support TCR just by shopping on Amazon!
A portion of your eligible purchases will be donated to TCR when you shop through smile.amazon.com.

 
Thank You,
Winning Home!
 
We are so grateful for Winning Home, Inc.'s recent 
gift of $10,000 
to The Children's Room to help us expand our services to families who have experienced the death of a child.
Winning Home trustees present check to TCR
Winning Home Trustees (left to right) Bob Maguire, Tom Martin, and Chip Curran presented the check to Donna Smith Sharff, TCR Executive Director.
 
Our Heartfelt Thanks
 
In this season of giving, we want to say a big THANK YOU to everyone who has donated to
The Children's Room's Annual Fund.
We rely on generous donors and volunteers like you to provide our services, free of charge, to grieving families. 
Thank you for giving the gift of hope.

If you haven't yet, there is still time to make a year-end gift.

You can make a donation in honor or memory of an important person in your life and choose to have someone notified of your gift.

Donating to The Children's Room in someone's name is a great way to give a meaningful gift for the holidays while also supporting grieving families. Learn more and make your gift today.

Please contact Becca Harris, Development Assistant, with any questions: becca@childrensroom.org or 781-641-4741 ext. 334.

The Children's Room has partnered with Donate for Charity to make it fast and easy to donate your old vehicle to TCR. Your vehicle will be picked up - free of charge! - from anywhere and TCR will receive a donation in the amount of the vehicle's value.
  
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1210 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, MA 02476


 

Phone: 781-641-4741   

Fax: 781-641-0012   


 

childrensroom.org