The Children’s Grief Center of New Mexico is seeking volunteers to facilitate free grief support groups for children ages 5-25 and their adult caregivers.  Individuals from all backgrounds and experience are encouraged to volunteer – the next training dates are February 18^th and 25^th, 2012 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm both days.  There is a $45.00 fee for the training, and it is accredited for 13 CEUs for counselors, psychologists, social workers and chaplains (fee for CEUs is $175.00).  Groups take place in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho.

The Children’s Grief Center is a safe place for children, teens, and adults to share feelings and experiences while grieving a death – through free peer support groups.  Our facilitators are special men and women who come from all walks of life to take the training, commit to a year of service, and show up every other week throughout the school year to lead peer groups for grieving “littles”, “middles”, “tweens”, teens or adults.  CGC volunteer facilitators read stories, lead games & activities, and most of all – listen.  One volunteer recently said “this is the most rewarding thing that I do.”

The time commitment is from 5:15pm  – 8:30 pm every other week.  Volunteers are paired with an experienced facilitator when they first start out.  To sign up for the training, contact Kelly at 505-323-0478 or Kelly@childrensgrief.org.

Since 2001, the Children’s Grief Center of New Mexico has provided a safe place for children, teens, and adults to connect with peers and find support and encouragement while grieving a death. The Center serves approximately 350 individuals each year.  For additional information, please visit our web site or contact us regarding any questions or media requests.

Albuquerque, NM  December 2, 2011 –The Children’s Grief Center of New Mexico (CGC), a nonprofit organization providing free, open and ongoing support groups for grieving kids, is pleased to offer “Grief in the Holidays Family Day,” a free event on Saturday, December 10^th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for bereaved families coping with the loss of a loved one.

The event will take place at the Grief Center – located at 3001 Trellis Dr NW in Albuquerque and will feature activities (memory chains, gift box, candle decorating), snacks and discussion time (how to handle the holidays while mourning).  The event is free, but reservations are required – call 323-0478 to reserve a space.

The mission of Children’s Grief Center is to provide a safe and supportive environment where children, teens and their families can share experiences while grieving a death.  Groups are run by volunteer bereavement facilitators and are always free to families.  Before each group families are served a free meal as well.  Support groups take place every other week on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings in the near North Valley and Thursday nights in Rio Rancho.  Families interested in attending groups can first attend one of CGC’s monthly Open House events – the next one is scheduled for Monday, January 9^th from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

The Grief Center also has an extensive library of books and other resources with coping strategies for the holidays and other topics.  The books are available to borrow.  Grief Center staff can be reached regarding these materials or to answer any other questions at 323-0478.

Albuquerque, NM  November 14,  2011 –The Children’s Grief Center of New Mexico (CGC), a nonprofit organization providing free, open and ongoing support groups for grieving kids and their families in central New Mexico, is working to promote National Children’s Grief Awareness Day on November 17, 2011.  People are asked to wear blue on that day, and let people know it is because you are showing your support for grieving kids in our community.

The holiday season can be especially difficult for grieving children and families, which is why children who have lost a loved one need extra care and attention at this time.  There is often confusion about how to manage all of the celebrations and events, and having conversations and putting plans in place about how the holidays will go can often be extremely helpful in getting through them successfully.  Children’s Grief Awareness Day is observed each year on the Thursday before Thanksgiving, to let grieving children know they’re not forgotten in the midst of their grief.

The mission of CGC is to provide a safe and supportive environment where children, teens and their families can share experiences while grieving a death.  It is the only organization in central New Mexico providing these services.  Grief support groups are run by volunteer bereavement facilitators and are always free to families.  Before each group families are served a free meal as well.  Support groups take place every other week on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings in the North Valley and Thursday nights in Rio Rancho.  Families interested in attending groups can first attend one of CGC’s monthly Open House events – the next one is scheduled for Monday, November 28th from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

The Grief Center also has an extensive library of books and other resources with coping strategies for the holidays and other topics.  The books are available to borrow.  Grief Center staff can be reached regarding these materials or to answer any other questions at 323-0478.