September 3, 2021

Children, ages 12-14, experiencing grief will have access to a support program starting in September offered by Airdrie and District Hospice Society. the Grief Support Program follows curriculum from Rainbows for All Children Canada, an organization that specializes in developing curriculum and training facilitators for children experiencing loss.

Two facilitators, who have been trained to assist children and youth with appropriate coping mechanisms as they process their grief, will be leading the program in Airdrie and the surrounding area.

One-hour sessions will be conducted for 12 weeks via Zoom on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 7:30 pm beginning September 29th and running until December 15th.

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%.

Those interested in this free Grief Support Program may register, or contact the Society for more information, by emailing contact@airdriehospice.ca or by calling 403-880-0420. Permission from a parent or guardian is required to participate.

July 27, 2021

Teens experiencing grief will have access to another support program starting in April 2022 offered by Airdrie and District Hospice Society. Designed for youth aged 14 to 16 years old, the Grief Support Program for Teens follows curriculum from Rainbows for All Children Canada, an organization that specializes in developing curriculum and training facilitators for children experiencing loss.

Two facilitators who have been trained to assist children and youth with appropriate coping mechanisms as they process their grief will be leading the program for teens in Airdrie and the surrounding area.

“This program responds to a very important need among youth in Airdrie,” said Lynda Hemsworth, Vice President of Airdrie and District Hospice Society. “Bereavement is difficult at any point in life, but when teenagers experience loss, it can be quite intense. We know that the challenges with Covid-19 have been very tough on teenagers and, for those experiencing a loss, that's compounded.”

One-hour sessions will be conducted for 12 weeks via Zoom on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 7:30 pm beginning April 5th, 2022 and running until June 14th, 2022.

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%.

Those interested in the free Grief Support Program for teens may register, or contact the Society for more information, by emailing contact@airdriehospice.ca or by calling 403-880-0420. Permission from a parent or guardian is required to participate.