Grief and Loss Support Groups for Children and Adolescents

"From Hurt, Through Healing, To Hope"

Please read the Parent Letter

Rainbows is a peer support group for children who are dealing with loss/grief issues such as death, divorce, separation etc. The groups are led by trained facilitators and they meet during the school day .Children experience the stages of grief and loss at their own pace and in their own way. Rainbows provides a “safe place” for children to learn to cope with the changes and to see that there is hope.

Our Lady of Victory also offers the Spectrum program for middle school students. We use the faith-based curriculum for both the Rainbows and Spectrum groups.

How Rainbows Works

Rainbows is an international peer support program designed to help children in changing families as they deal with the death of a loved one, divorce, or step-family changes.

When children are grieving a loss, they are unable to concentrate and learn.  When problems arise in school, self-esteem declines.  Children regain valuable self esteem when they discover that their feelings are normal.  Listening to (and sharing with) peers helps children process feelings.  When feelings are given words, they are less likely to be given negative action.

Rainbows in not counseling or therapy.

Rainbows support is about sharing the normal painful feelings.  Rainbows support is like unpacking a suitcase full of feelings too heavy to carry.  Children meet weekly in small, age-appropriate  groups, with trained facilitators who gently guide them in lightening their load through:

• stories
• activities
• journaling
• games

Children develop a sense of connection and trust with each other in Rainbows which helps them rebuild trust in the world around them!  At the end of the 12 sessions of Rainbows, each child truly discovers. . .

Where Did Rainbows Originate?

Rainbows first started in the Chicago are schools in 1983.  Today there are over one million participants in 49 states and 16 foreign countries.  Rainbows groups can be found in both schools and churches.

Rainbows Helps Participants:

• Express feelings
• Understand feelings
• Let the negative feelings go

Trained Facilitators:

• Listen
• Accept each participant and his/her feelings
• Create a safe environment that encourages sharing

Peer Interaction Helps:

• Participants see that these feelings are normal
• Build confidence and hope for a brighter tomorrow

Please contact Mrs. Bigham if you would like more information, or if you would like to view the materials used for the program. Please check this site frequently for more information on the 2006-2007 program. Additional information can be found at www.rainbows.org

Registration form