Rainbows

Rainbows is a proven program of weekly grief and loss support groups for children, adolescents, and teens. The program is designed to help children deal with their feelings of grief and anger and to help them to constructively begin a new life. This program is not a counseling or therapy session; it is strictly a peer support group with caring and trained adults to guide.

The format of this program consists of fourteen sessions divided into two seven-week sessions. Each session is built upon the previous one, so we encourage the child to attend each week. Once a week, for approximately 45 minutes, the children come together in small groups to discuss various topics in relation to their situation: Self, Trust, Anger, and Family. The children will also share in an activity and discussion that will focus on one of these topics. In addition, there is the opportunity to learn and ask questions about God's love and healing grace.

HOW DOES IT WORK?
The Rainbow Groups will consist of up to five participants and a trained facilitator. Adult facilitators are trained by Rainbows, to offer appropriate support and guidance through the introduction of coping skills and the use of Rainbows support material. All sessions stress confidentiality for both children and adults and are held on Tuesday evenings starting at 6:30 p.m. Recent studies have outlined the tragic effects a loss can have on children. This does not have to happen. Rainbows can help lead participants through the stages of grief that accompany a loss. Those stages are:

Denial: A period of disbelief and rejection of what is happening. This child thinks, "This can't be happening to me."

Anger: Directed at anyone and everyone from God to themselves and can take many forms. It is a necessary stage and can be a healthy experience if properly channeled.

Bargaining: An attempt to make a deal and postpone to fix the inevitable. A child often blames himself or herself and tries to change in order to make peace.

Depression: Comes with the feeling that life is out of control and overwhelming. When die reality of thesituation settles in, sadness follows.

Acceptance: Letting go of the past and learning to live with the changes; looking to the future with hope.

For more information please go to the Rainbows website www.rainbows.org.


RAINBOWS, an international organization, provices a bridge to emotional healing for children, adolescents, and adults confronting death, divorce or other painful family transition - "because it doesn't need to hurt forever."

Rainbows, like the beautiful rainbow sent by God after the flood, offers hope for the future. It can help lead children through the storm to a brighter tomorrow.
WHERE DOES RAINBOWS COME FROM?
Rainbows started in Chicago area schools in 1983. Since its inception, over 1,000,000 children have participated in Rainbows worldwide.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
We are looking for dedicated and caring adults to volunteer as facilitators for these groups. No group will have more than five children. Training will be provided. This is a wonderful ministry for children who are hurting and need to grieve.