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Our Mission: To receive and administer funds to support the mission of McLaren Northern Michigan and support programs that enhance the well-being of the community.
O F T H E F O U N D AT I O N
Our Children’s Bereavement Program Helps Youth Walk Through Grief
HOSPICE EDITION
SUMME R 2020
Ella, a local second grader, was struggling with her emotions when her grandmother was admitted to the Hospice House last year with end-stage cancer. Because of the recent loss of her aunt, Ella knew that losing her grandmother was an eventuality. Theresa Kwilinski, Bereavement Counselor for McLaren home care and hospice services, was able to visit with her several times and help her process her emotions. “I often use a tic-tac-toe type feelings game with the youngsters I see. This playful activity allows children to share their experiences with emotions and their reactions to them. Each time I visited her she asked to play that game. Each time she engaged and responded with honesty and openness, even if the result was her retelling a difficult and emotional event,” Theresa shared. After Ella’s grandmother passed away, Theresa met with her again, and even gave her a copy of the game to take home because Ella wanted to play it with her family. Theresa’s unconditional support of Ella is just one example of how our Bereavement Program helps children work through their grief. Every year, hundreds of children in our community are touched by our bereavement program. Gifts from the Hattie Hannah Keeney Trust and other sponsors make this program possible. Even as schools closed in the spring due to COVID-19, the Bereavement Program made adjustments to continue to work with patients and their families. Theresa met remotely with children and eventually began visiting
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Golden Doodle Finn MacCool, a certified therapy dog, is eager to resume his volunteer duties at Hiland Cottage. Before the COVID-19 crisis began, Finn visited the cottage weekly to offer comfort to hospice residents and their families. He also visited some of the children in the Children's Bereavement Program. Hopefully, his visits will be allowed again soon.
them in their homes. "These home visits are particularly meaningful, as I am able to be with children in the place where their memories are strongest. This often gives them the security to talk easily about their loved ones." As children return to school in the fall, Theresa will work again with school counselors to determine ways to best meet the needs of students facing grief and loss. Your gifts to this program are providing support, encouragement, and hope to children during this vulnerable time. Thank you.
Children’s Bereavement Programs
What We Provide:
After a hospice patient passes away, our Bereavement Counselor reaches out to their loved ones, offering comfort, support, and access to our Child Bereavement Programs. All of this is completely free of charge to these families, because of the support received from you and donors like you.
• One-on-one and group counseling
mclaren.org/NorthernMichiganFoundation | 231-487-3500
• Monthly mailings
Inside
• Counseling through Safe Crossings Program
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A Note from our Leadership
• Hospice house, in-home, and in-school visits and grief support groups
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New Name, Same Services
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You Give Hope
• Child/Teen Grief and Loss Informational Presentations for groups
You Give Hope
Your gifts toward hospice and home care services provide so much more than health care. They help patients and their families experience compassion, kindness, and hope during difficult days. Thank you.