Search Results for: Healing circles

Healing Circles Nature Adventure Day 2016

July 14, 2016 by TRU Community Care

Our nature adventure day is a great way to for kids and teens coping with grief to process their emotions.

It’s a day for: connecting with their peers, talking about the special person they are remembering, hiking, art, playing games, lunch, and most importantly, having fun!

Registration is required, and final deadline to apply is August 1.

This is a free event, and lunch is provided. Parents and/or guardians are responsible for transportation drop off and pick up. Registration paperwork and intake interviews are required and due prior to the event.

Date: Sunday, August 14th

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Location: El Dorado Canyon State Park entrance

Contact: Michon Davies at 303.604.5330

Download and share the Nature Adventure Day 2016 flyer.

Please visit our children and teens grief page for additional information on grief support.

Find us on Facebook: TRU Community Care Healing Circles

Healing Circles Mother’s Day Event

April 20, 2016 by TRU Community Care

Healing Circles Mother’s Day Event

During this Mother’s Day, create something that you can hang and that will honor your special person. Kids process grief through play and art so every come and create something together. This art workshop is for kids, teens and families, helping them remember the special person who has died: a mother, an aunt, a grandma, a friend. Wreaths are often the symbols of the circle of life and of seasons.

This event will be held on Saturday, May 7 from 9:30 am. – 12:30 p.m. at the TRU Community Care Grief Services Office, 5565 Arapahoe Ste A, Boulder.

For more information or to reserve your spot, contact Michon Davies at 303.604-5330 or by email at michondavies@trucare.org.

Download the flyer here: Healing Circles Mother’s Day Flyer 2016

Healing Circles Grief Group Update

May 27, 2015 by TRU Community Care

A couple of months ago, we began a brand new grief support group for kids and teens. This workshop is for those who have had a death loss and want to remember their special person by creating glass art. The Spring Session of this group recently ended and was a success! We have had several participants sign up for the summer session and all of the parents said that this group had a positive impact.

Our summer session of the Healing Circles Glass Grief Group begins next month and will go through August. For more information or to register, please click here.

Download the flyer: Healing Circles Summer Glass Group 2015

Many thanks to our instructor Michon Davies for facilitating, our wonderful volunteers for assisting, and to C&H Glassworks & Ambrosia Glass for partnering with us and making this group possible!

Healing Circles Glass Memories Teen Grief Group

January 29, 2015 by TRU Community Care

Healing Circles Glass Memories Grief Group 2015

Our Grief and Glass workshop is a new three month series in February, March, April 2015.This workshop is for teens ages 13-18 who have had a death loss and want to remember their special person by creating some glass art. These workshops are in collaboration with C&H Glassworks & Ambrosia Glass.

Hot glassblowing requires communication, collaboration, working as a team and learning to trust yourself and others to maintain safety, creativity and being in the present moment. The medium of glass is similar to the grief journey with lots of changes, different reactions to situations and things take time to form, mold and transform from one form into the completed piece.

The group is a peer support group to talk about remembering your special person who has died, sharing photos and stories about that person as well as how things have changed, what has helped you with those changes and how everyone grieves differently.

The group will learn glass blowing safety skills, how to marver, blow, shape and manipulate the glass with some color application. They will learn how to make a bowl, an ornament and a paper weight.

The maximum number for this group is eight and there is a registration interview required with both teen and parent/guardian prior to acceptance.

For more information, call Michon Davies at 303-604-5330.

About the Instructors:
The workshop is facilitated by Laura McCracken & Michon Davies, MA. Laura is a glass artist and school art teacher of 20 years currently teaching in Lakewood. Michon has a background in counseling since 1993 and is an apprentice at C & H glassworks and Angelo Ambrosia glass. Both Michon and Laura have also had training at Pilchuk and Penland glass school.

Download the flyer here:
Teen Grief Glass Group 2015

Youth and Family Grief Support

TRU Community Care offers grief support groups during the summer months for children and teens who have lost a loved one. Additionally, we can provide outside referrals for counseling to children, youth, and families.

Kids have different needs from adults and process loss through play, activity, and sometimes acting out. They might get a tummy ache or a headache rather than express their grief. Sometimes they may grieve in short bursts or exhibit regressive behaviors.

Teens may appear to be fine and yet need extra support as they are creating their identities without turning to negative coping strategies while grieving. We empower and encourage kids in a safe and nurturing environment.

All of our services and programs are open to the community and require pre-registration.

See Adult Support Groups here.

Healing with Horses

Call (303) 604-5300 to enroll for Summer 2025.

This four-week group is for kids and teens ages 8 to 17. We combine equine-assisted activities with peer support to share stories and memories and have fun. We learn various ways to care for horses and to develop skills in a safe environment. We talk about grief, ways to remember your special person, and how to take care of yourself through your grief journey.

We are currently enrolling for the following two sessions; cost is $100 per participant:

Wednesdays, June 4, 11, 18, 25 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Sundays, September 7, 14, 21, 28 from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Enroll soon as sessions fill up quickly.

Grief Services

At TRU Community Care, we consider it a privilege to help those who are grieving regain their balance and resume healthy living. Whether you are looking for personal guidance or walking alongside someone who is, contact us to see how we can help. Extensive resources for people of all ages and stages in the grief process are available to everyone in the community and are free of charge. In addition to the wide variety of age and loss-specific grief support groups TRU offers, our experienced grief counselors are available for phone consultations or referrals, can suggest articles and other materials pertinent to your circumstances, and provide on-site support in traumatic situations. Families whose loved one received TRU’s services have the additional benefit of 13-months of one-on-one or family grief counseling. Please call us anytime for support at (303) 604-5300.

Newly Bereaved Support Program

Support, information, and networking for people who have experienced a recent death loss. The group is recommended for people who are between 1-4 months out from the loss. Sessions run for four consecutive weeks and begin each month.

Eight Week Bereavement Support Program

Support, information, and networking for people who have experienced a death loss. The group is recommended for people who are at least 6 months out from the loss. Evening and daytime groups are held throughout the year. Sessions run for eight consecutive weeks.

Bereaved Parents Support Group (ongoing)

Support meeting with program and sharing for bereaved parents only, held the 3rd Wednesday of every month from 6:30 - 8:30 pm

First Year Spouse/Partner Grief Support Group (ongoing)

For spouses or partners whose loved one’s death has occurred within the past 12 months, held the 2nd Tuesday of every month from 6:00 - 8:00 pm

Spouse/Partner Loss Grief Support Group (ongoing)

For anyone who has experienced the death of a spouse or partner, held the 3rd Tuesday of every month from 6:00 - 8:00 pm

Widowed Senior Grief Support Group (ongoing)

For senior men and women who have experienced the death of a spouse or partner, held the 4th Wednesday of every month from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Yoga After Loss Support Group

A support group for those who wish to explore grief through the practice of yoga, using breath-work, poses and meditation. This group is offered periodically and will meet in Lafayette as an ongoing group. Offering a body of yoga techniques, this group will provide the opportunity to consciously connect with and experience your grief in a safe and supportive setting. As your practice unfolds, you may experience the gifts of increased strength, flexibility, and awareness. No yoga experience needed.

Writing Through Grief Support Group

This group is offered periodically and will meet for six or eight consecutive weeks. Loss and writing are both very personal experiences. This class provides the opportunity to blend the two in a safe, non-judgmental setting. Through the use of weekly prompts, members will reflect on the provided writings as a group followed by time for their own individual written responses. Journaling is encouraged. No writing experience is needed. Writings will not be critiqued. Expressing grief through the written word is the intention of the class as members’ journey through loss using this creative form.

Hiking Group (May - October)

Support, exercise and a safe place for quiet reflection for anyone who has suffered a death loss, held on Wednesdays, May – October from 9:00 - 11:00 am (weather permitting)

Sudden Loss Grief Support Group

The sudden, unexpected loss of someone we love is shocking and difficult to comprehend, often for a very long time. This ongoing group, meeting the 4th Monday of each month from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., offers a safe, supportive space in which to navigate the specific challenges and conflicting emotions that accompany sudden loss. The compassion and understanding of others sharing similar experiences is one of the most valuable ways to recognize and honor your journey.

Dementia Grief Support Group: After the Losses

TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED. Support for those who have lost a loved one to dementia. This group meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Substance Use Loss Group

This group offers an environment to share the pain and suffering of addiction and the drug-related death of your loved one with others who understand and can identify with your experience. This is safe place to remember, honor, and share the loss of your loved one as you walk the journey of grief. This group meets the 2nd Thursday of each month (online) from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Creative Expression Grief Support Group

Creative activities offer the opportunity to engage in building meaning from the loss of a loved one. Art-making activities help facilitate understanding and the expression of deep emotions that can otherwise be difficult to access. Each session will consist of time spent creating art and time for each member to process the meaning of their creation in a safe and supportive environment. There is no experience or “skill” necessary to participate in the group. Minimum art supplies suggested: one writing tool (such as pen or pencil) and blank paper. This group will meet Tuesdays, July 6, 13, 20, and 27 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. via Zoom.

Grieving the loss of someone we love is one of the most profound experiences of life. Our whole being – body, mind, and spirit – responds to the stress of loss. Moving through the complex emotions and reactions that surface during this painful but normal human process takes time. The duration and intensity of grief depend on many factors that are subject to change and cannot be prescribed. Although no one can make grief disappear, tapping into support systems, identifying internal resources, recognizing common responses to bereavement, and intentionally tending to physical, emotional, and spiritual needs can make living with loss a bit less painful.

TRU Youth and Family Grief Support

Family Grief Group

TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED. This 6-week group is for kids ages 6 -18 and their parents or caregivers. Our Family Grief Group is a place for kids and teens to come together for peer support, remembering special people who have died and exploring grief through art, play and games. At the same time, it is an opportunity for their parents or caregivers to receive support and education about coping with family grief. The Family Grief Group meets on Thursdays from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. in Lafayette. Topics we cover include: - What is grief? - How do we feel grief? - What helps? - Changes that have happened - How to say goodbye - Telling our stories Registration is required for participation in this group. To register, or for additional information, please call TRU Community Care Grief Services at 303.604.5300.

Healing with Horses Group

This four-week group is for kids and teens ages 7 -18. We combine equine-assisted activities with peer support to share stories, memories and have fun. We learn various ways to care for horses and to develop skills in a safe environment. We talk about grief, ways to remember your special person, and how to take care of yourself through your grief journey. Healing with Horses meets on June 2, 9, 16, and 23 from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. in Boulder. The cost is $50 per child. Scholarships are available. To register, or for additional information, please call TRU Community Care Grief Services at 303.604.5330.

A child old enough to love is old enough to grieve. – Dr. Alan Wolfelt

TRU Community Care offers grief support to Children and Teens through Healing Circles. We provide grief education, consultation, and peer support throughout the year as well as individual short-term counseling for children and teens who have lost a loved one through a TRU Community Care program. Grief is unique and may vary in duration. Kids have different needs from adults and process loss through play, activity, and sometimes acting out. They might get a tummy ache or a headache rather than express their grief. Sometimes they might grieve in short bursts or regress a little in behaviors. Teens may appear to be fine and yet need extra support as they are creating their identities without turning to negative coping strategies while grieving. We empower and encourage kids in a safe and nurturing environment.

All of our services and programs are open to the community and require pre-registration. Our therapeutic playroom, highly trained volunteers, and close collaborations with community allow us to provide services for all different ages and grief styles.

Click the links below to download our required forms:

Parent Agreement Form

Child & Teen Intake Form

Healing Circles Child & Teen Emergency Information

Healing Circles Safety Rules

Grief Support Resources

We are thinking of you during your journey through grief. We reach out to our TRU family members by phone and with periodic mailings during the 13 months following the death of a loved one. These quarterly Grief Services Newsletters are available to you, your friends and your community at any time.

Helping Kids Survive the Holidays

November 24, 2015 by TRU Community Care

Holidays are difficult for kids & teens that have lost a loved one and are learning to navigate their grief journey. We understand how complicated this time can be for them, and have several groups offerings to help them survive the holidays. For more information on them or to see our full list of grief groups for kids and teens, click here.

Healing with Horses – Coping with the Holidays

This is a two week workshop offered for all ages 5-18. We combine equine-assisted activities with peer support to share stories, play games and be together remembering our special people who have died.

We learn various ways to care for horses and ourselves during the holidays. We will be talking about what helps us and what things we want to do this holiday season with our families.

You must pre-register to participate.

Meeting: December 8th & 15th
5:00 pm – 6:30 pm

Location: Medicine Horse, 8778 Arapahoe Road, Boulder CO, 80303

Download the flyer here: Coping with the Holidays – Healing with Horses 2015

Healing Circles Glass Memories Teen Group

We are also offering our teen Grief and Glass workshop. These workshops are for teens aged 13-18 who have had a death loss and want to remember their special person by creating some glass art.The group will learn glass blowing safety skills, how to marver, blow, shape and manipulate the glass with some color application. They will learn how to make a bowl, an ornament and a paper weight.

The maximum number for this group is eight and there is a registration interview required with both teen and parent/guardian prior to acceptance.

Meeting: December 20th or 27th
9:30 am – 12:00 noon

Location: C & H Glassworks, 11354 West 13th Ave #6, Lakewood, CO 80211

Download the flyer here: Coping with the Holidays 2015

Moments of Gratitude – ABC Kids Climbing

June 19, 2015 by TRU Community Care

This moment of gratitude is inspired by the wonderful folks at ABC Kids Climbing in Boulder. They have graciously offered to partner with us and make our Healing Circles Nature Adventure Day possible. We look forward to spending an awesome day in Eldorado Canyon for this fun day!

For more information on the Healing Circles Nature Adventure Day or to register, click here.

Mother’s Day

May 5, 2015 by TRU Community Care

Mother’s Day Memorial Labyrinth & Luminaria Night

May 10, 2015
7:30-8:45 pm
Labyrinth at Boulder Community Health

Walk the labyrinth to the center, share a memory about your special person, take a flower, or just experience a moment of silence in honor of your mother, grandmother, aunt or any special loved woman in your life. All ages welcome and there will be a special program for children. Light refreshment will be served. This event is offered in collaboration with Boulder Community Health.

Registration is required. Contact Michon Davies at 303-604-5330 to register or fill out the Healing Circles Mother’s Day Registration Form and email to michondavies@trucare.org.

Mothers Day Luminary Event Flyer 2015

TRU in Boulder’s Tips on Supporting Grieving Kids & Teens At the End of the School Year

May 16, 2014 by TRU Community Care

The last day of school isn’t something that all kids look forward to. Children or teens who are grieving a loss can find this a complicated time. Here are some tips that can help:

Tip 1: Not all kids look forward to the end of the school year.

When a child is grieving, the end of the year may represent a loss and can re-activate or amplify grief.

Tip 2: School provides a sense of structure.

Being in school provides structure and respite for grieving kids. There might be an increase in anxiety in anticipation of more fluid summer plans.

Tip 3: There are signs that a grieving child might need more support:

The child or teen may exhibit increased outbursts, become more easily overwhelmed by stress or emotional situations, show increased withdrawal, and/or an additional need for adult attention.

Tip 4: Grieving kids and teens are often unaware their behaviors are connected to the loss they experienced.

Providing support through the end of year transition is important. You can do it by listening, providing a compassionate presence, and serving as an advocate if needed.

TRU Community Care’s Boulder Healing Circles program can help.

Call 303-604-5330 or click here to find how TRU’s grief support program for children, teens and adults can make a difference.