COMPANIONS ON A JOURNEY GRIEF SUPPORT

SCHOOL-BASED GRIEF SUPPORT PROGRAM FOR K-12: COJ'S SCHOOL-BASED GRIEF SUPPORT PROGRAM HELPS TRANSFORM SCHOOLS INTO GRIEF-INFORMED SPACES WHERE STUDENTS CAN PROCESS COMPLICATED FEELINGS OF GRIEF AND LOSS, CONNECT WITH A CARING COMMUNITY, AND BUILD A TOOLBOX OF CRITICAL WELLNESS AND RESILIENCY SKILLS. IN 2023 COJ PARTNERED WITH 67 PUBLIC, PRIVATE, AND PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS FACILITATING 100 SCHOOL GROUPS, AND ALSO PROVIDED CONSULTATION AND EDUCATION FOR STAFF AND CAREGIVERS. COJ PROVIDED CRISIS RESPONSE IN 5 SCHOOLS, SUPPORTING 66 STUDENTS AND STAFF. IN ADDITION, COJ WORKS ALONGSIDE ADMINISTRATORS AND COUNSELORS TO BUILD A GRIEF-SENSITIVE CULTURE WHERE BEREAVED STUDENTS AND STAFF FEEL LOVED, ACCEPTED, AND SUPPORTED. MONTHLY SCHOOL-BASED GROUPS ARE CO-FACILITATED BY A COJ BEREAVEMENT SPECIALIST AND THE SCHOOL COUNSELOR. THEY ARE SUPPORTED BY COJ SOCIAL WORK INTERNS THAT PROVIDE ADDED MENTORSHIP FOR STUDENT SUPPORT.

FAMILY AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS: INCLUDE "MENDING HEARTS FOR GRIEVING FAMILIES," A MONTHLY PROGRAM FOR GRIEVING CHILDREN, TEENS AND FAMILIES, AS WELL AS "PATHWAY TO HEALING" EVENTS AND FAMILY SUPPORT GROUPS. THESE PROGRAMS AND EVENTS SEEK TO RESTORE FAMILY BALANCE--ONE CHILD, ONE TEEN, AND ONE FAMILY AT A TIME. COJ BELIEVES A FAMILY THAT GRIEVES TOGETHER, HEALS TOGETHER. WE ENGAGE IN ACTIVITIES AND CONVERSATIONS THAT ALLOW NOT ONLY INDIVIDUAL FAMILY MEMBERS TO EXPERIENCE HEALING, BUT THE ENTIRE FAMILY. PROGRAMS OFFER A SAFE AND NURTURING ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL AGES TO HONOR LOVED ONES, STRENGTHEN FAMILY BONDS, AND FIND HOPE. IN 2023, COJ'S MENDING HEARTS FAMILIES MET FOR 9 SESSIONS AND 2 PATHWAY TO HEALING EVENTS SERVED 119 CHILDREN, TEENS, ADULTS AND FAMILIES.