What Services are Offered? Peer support for children who have suffered the death of a parent or sibling. Eight-week sessions (groups meet bi-weekly) are scheduled at intervals three or four times throughout the year for ages 3-5, 6-10, 11-14, and 15-18. Each group will work with a screened and trained adult volunteer facilitator and use play, art, music, drama, journaling, and discussion to get acquainted, to share feelings and experiences, and to work through grief. However, no child will be required to speak or to participate in an activity where he or she does not wish to do so. While we anticipate tears at times, we also expect to laugh, have fun, and share happy memories. Concurrent support groups for parents and guardians for grieving children. A parent or guardian is required to enroll in BitterSweet Place with each child or family of children. An adult peer group session is offered concurrently with children’s sessions and assists parents as they guide and support their grieving children. How do I Enroll in a Session? Prescreening: The first step is the parent or guardian’s call to (660) 441-7713: you will talk with a person trained in grief support. You will be asked several brief questions about the child interested in joining BitterSweet Place, the family, and the circumstances of the death as it affected the child. You and the BitterSweet staff member will decide together if joining a group at this time is right for your child and for your family. Interview: The child along with the parent or guardian will be invited to BitterSweet Place to tour the facility and to ask questions about our programs, staff, etc. We will take this opportunity to further explain our regulations to you. If you decide to join us, we will ask you to sign a form agreeing to abide by BitterSweet’s rules established to protect the confidentiality, privacy, and safety of children and families attending our programs. Attendance: BitterSweet Place requests that families commit to attend at least one entire 8-week session (by-weekly evening meetings). Each child will join a group of age-mates and have an opportunity to explore thoughts, feelings, and reactions to death along with peers and an empathetic adult facilitator trained to help children deal with grief. The parent or guardian will join an adult group that meets concurrently with the children’s groups to share experiences and to learn how to support the child through recovery from grief. At the end of each 8-week session, each family may decide that their grief needs have been met or may decide to join the next session when it convenes. There is no cost to families for BitterSweet services. You may obtain our brochure here. How can I Support BitterSweet Place? Be a support group facilitator Assist in providing snacks / meals Participate in set-up / clean-up Help raise funds Help plan special events Become a parton Make a donation. BitterSweet Place will continue to offer services to grieving children with community support. Grieving children and their families are served by financial support from individuals, businesses, community and civic organizations and by monies obtained from fund-raising events and foundation grants. For donations, additional information on our services or if you are requiring assistance, contact us at: 136 E. Gay Street Warrensburg (660) 441-7713