What is the purpose of The Cove?

The Cove is a safe place for kids to come together with other grieving kids, to share their stories and their feelings with others.  But The Cove is not simply a program for kids.  Since children grieve best in a knowledgeable, caring family environment, it is important that parents and siblings learn about grieving kids and how to help them cope.  That’s why The Cove is a program for the entire family.

Twice each month, families grieving the death of an immediate family member gather for a two-hour session.  After a brief welcome and opening ceremony, children go into age-appropriate sessions led by trained volunteer facilitators.  They read a book, complete an activity, draw, paint, or perform an exercise designed to stimulate discussion about their loss.  

Meanwhile, adult family members gather in a separate room to learn about children and grief and to discuss issues of parenting a bereaved family.  At the conclusion of the group time, parents and kids come together to complete a joint activity designed to facilitate family communication about their grief.  A closing ceremony completes the session.

Facilitators are volunteers who are screened by Cove staff members.  They receive 15 hours of training on children and grief before they begin their work at The Cove.  In addition, they meet with the staff one hour before and after each session at The Cove for continuing education and supervision.

No.  The Cove is a support program for normal kids who have endured an overwhelming experience…the death of a family member.  If a child seems to be having an unusually difficult time with his or her grief, the staff and the caregiver will discuss the issues and, at the parent’s request, the Center will suggest qualified grief therapists in the area.

Kids don’t usually mourn in a gloomy way.  While sometimes sad, kids’ grief is often noisy and lively as well.  The activities at The Cove are intended to be fun, while inviting kids to explore their grief and to grow from it.

There is no fee for the program. Families signing up will be invited to make a monthly pledge for an amount with which they are comfortable.  No family is ever turned away for financial reasons.