My cousin Jaz called and said, "The Kids told me they had FUN at grief therapy, and it threw me off. I mean, I was glad but also confused at how fun and grief could go together!" This is when I knew, we had found something good, something safe.
Shortly after everything happened, a community leader and friend of ours sent over information for grief counseling. At that time, I wasn't prepared to set it up and was still feeling out our need. After reaching out to several providers on the list, I realized that finding grief counseling and specifically counseling for kids was going to be a headache in itself. I would have to psych myself up just to dive in and make all of the calls, send all of the emails and subsequently endure the let downs of "So sorry, we're only doing video meetings in your area." After losing such a huge presence in our family, physically, spiritually and mentally, we knew that talking to a computer wasn't going to cut it.
Those first couple months were brutal, and the strugglebus is STILL parked out front. I knew that I needed to build in as much help as possible if we were to survive this blow. After I completed the paperwork, Susan called me and notified me that there were openings for groups at the church less than five minutes from our home. Thankful for God's favor, we scheduled to be there in attendance and on time.
Finding Suncoast kids was a relieving and heartwarming experience. The ministry is a part of a church in Lutz that mobilizes and sets up in Brandon to provide peer groups for kids. When we walked in for the first time, we were welcomed with a palpable and somber "we get it, you're safe here." Although I was super sad at the thought of a group of hurting kids, my heart was blessed to know that there were counselors, caregivers, and administrators living out their Godly purpose of pouring into children who are dealing with significant loss. This is what we call ministering in the margins. Finding a unique group of people who may feel unseen or misunderstood and coordinating efforts around ministering to and encouraging them.
In our friend and family circle, my children are the only children they know without a dad. Even typing that is just excruciating. So, to know that they can go to a group of their peers who are also experiencing a similar loss is helpful. The program doesn't attempt to paint over their grief with fun activities and distractions, but it does provide a place for them to embrace the loss, work through it and learn coping skills to help. It provides them a safe place to be uniquely cared for while giving them something to look forward to.
When I first called Suncoast Kids for help, we were placed on a waiting list. A waiting list. I couldn’t even process the disappointment nor the fact that there was a waiting list of children in need of grief care. Everyone is a volunteer and no family is charged a fee for these services. They have groups for children from Kindergarten through High School. I would love for them to be able to expand and offer play therapy for the little tinies. Watching and listening to my three year old as he processes through this loss is something that I have no words for. I do know that whenever I get over or through this rough patch, I promised them that I would support them in any way possible for all that they've poured out into my family alone.
- Max enjoys the projects, collages, and the new therapy Dog, Guiness.
- Kendall appreciates the commitment and compassion of the volunteers.
- Elijah enjoys meeting new friends and getting the grief out
- Joy & Avielle like story time, being able to talk about their person and snack time.
- At the end of the group session, they all light candles for the person they've lost.
Get Involved — Suncoast Kids Place
At Risk Kids | Bay Hope Church
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