September 14, 2021

FALL GRIEF SUPPORT PROGRAMS OFFERED

Children experiencing the loss of someone they love will have access to a free support program offered by the Airdrie and District Hospice Society on Wednesday evenings from September 29th until December 15th from 6 to 7 pm. Designed for 12 to 14-year-olds, this Grief Support Program for Children presents online sessions developed by Rainbows for All Children Canada, an organization that specializes in developing curriculum and training facilitators for children and youth experiencing loss. Volunteer facilitators who have been trained to assist participants with appropriate coping mechanisms as they process their grief will be leading the program for this age group in Airdrie and the surrounding area. Permission from a parent or guardian is required to participate. Shaw Birdies for Kids presented by AltaLink, a non-profit program run under the Calgary Shaw Charity Classic Foundation, has funded this program through their annual event that matches donations up to 50%. "Death can happen at any age and we're rarely prepared for the range of emotions we experience," notes Daria Skibington-Roffel, president of the Airdrie and District Hospice Society. "Often, other people experiencing their own losses can help."

Beginning September 30th and running until November 18th on Thursdays from 6:30 to 8 pm, the Society is offering an Adult Grief Support Program. Facilitators will lead a small group online providing them with healthy strategies to use as they come to terms with the death of a loved one.

Cooking for One After a Loss will run from October 6th to the 27th from 6:30 to 7:30 pm, online, in partnership with the Airdrie Food Bank's Community Kitchen. This program is intended for people who are suddenly alone after the death of a close family member and may be struggling with cooking healthy meals for themselves. Those interested in any of these programs may register or contact the Society for more information by emailing contact@airdriehospice.ca or by calling 403-880-0420.