When grief touches a child’s life, it is hard to know where to turn, what to do or not do, or how to help. The Safe Crossings Foundation has been helping children receive the grief care they need since 1991.
An important first
This month, the foundation will host its first grief community fair, in collaboration with Seattle Children’s Hospital. Event organizers hope the fair will raise awareness about the grieving process while bringing people together to hear and share personal stories in a safe and welcoming space.
The “Giving Love and Guiding Grief Community Fair” will be held for February 26 from 2- to 5 p.m. at Seattle Children’s Hospital Sand Point Learning Center, 5801 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle. The event is free.
For youth by youth
The organization’s Youth and Young Professionals Councils are spearheading the event and plan to make it fun and informative as well as welcoming to those struggling with loss. Council members are youth and young adults who have lost a parent, sibling, or loved one and are passionate about helping other grieving youth.
The 3-hour fair will include activities and games for all age levels. Members of a teen panel will share about their personal experiences of grief and numerous booths will connect families with free resources and support programs that help local children and teens navigate the weight of loss.
The first 50 kids in attendance will receive a gift provided by Wizards of the Coast. Participants will also have an opportunity to win a WNBA Seattle Storm package that includes four tickets and a player-autographed item.
A foundation dedicated to helping kids cope
The Safe Crossings Foundation is a leader in funding services that help grieving children throughout the Puget Sound region. The organization envisions a world where all grieving children receive the emotional support they need to heal and thrive after the loss of a loved one.
Among other programs, the foundation funds: Camp Erin, a summer camp program for kids touched by loss; Wild Grief, providing outdoor experiences for teens, young adults and families processing loss; and The Healing Center, which provides grief support to families. In all, the foundation supports 12 regional programs located in Seattle, Snohomish, Edmonds, Kirkland, Tacoma and Olympia. Visit safecrossingsfoundation.org for more information.
More at Seattle’s Child:
“5 tips to help kids cope with the loss of a pet or a person”
