Isabel
After Isabel’s dad died in a car accident, her mother reached out to The Elizabeth Hospice for help. Isabel began…
Read MoreNo Child Should Grieve Alone
Caring for our community’s children is a key element of The Elizabeth Hospice’s mission.
Childhood grief is more prevalent than most people realize. One in five children will experience the death of someone significant in their life before they reach the age of 18. Without support, grieving children are at higher than normal risk for problems in school, substance abuse, depression and anxiety.
Our comprehensive Children’s Bereavement Program is the only one of its kind in San Diego County and Southwest Riverside County. Services are free of charge and open to everyone.
To limit the spread of infection from COVID-19, we have temporary suspended grief support groups at our Children’s Bereavement Centers in Escondido and Mission Valley and our on-campus school-based grief support groups.
With all the news about the virus, children may worry about getting sick themselves or be concerned about the wellness of their family and friends. We recommend having a conversation with your children to help reduce their fear and anxiety.
Click here for some helpful tips.
A time capsule is a great way to preserve memories. Here’s a fun workbook for children called My 2020 COVID-19 Time Capsule, created by Natalie Long. It includes pictures to color, places to record the things they are doing to keep busy and what they have learned from this experience.
Peer-Based Grief Support Groups
- Bimonthly, 90-minute, evening sessions
- Concurrent parent/guardian groups
- Ages 3 to 17
- Escondido and Mission Valley
Bereavement Camps – Camp Spero
- Grief-related activities
- Traditional camp fun
- Ages 7 to 17
- Newcomers and returning campers
School-Based Grief Support Groups
- 8-week, onsite program
- School districts throughout San Diego and Southwest Riverside Counties
- Elementary through High School
Community Grief Education and Support
- Crisis intervention for students and faculty
- Grief and loss training for educators and healthcare professionals
One-on-One Counseling
- 30 and 50-minute sessions utilizing therapeutic games, expressive arts, play and other age-appropriate activities
- Office locations: Carlsbad, Escondido, San Diego and Temecula
- Preschool to Grade 12
Our Children’s Bereavement Centers are kid-friendly spaces where children can share their feelings, thoughts, and stories as they process their grief. They are located in Escondido (930 Canterbury Place) and Mission Valley (8989 Rio San Diego, Suite 190, San Diego).
The Children’s Bereavement Program is made possible through the generous support of individuals and organizations.
Explaining death to children can be difficult, particularly when the death is traumatic and unexpected. It is important to give children accurate information that is appropriate to their age and level of understanding. While you may want to protect children from upsetting details of the death, children need honest information. Click here for suggestions on how to talk to children about suicide and violent deaths.
After a death, we depend on everyday superheroes. They are the ones who have the powers of listening and empathy, can have courageous conversations, boldly express support, and are kind to someone in grief. This Superhero Toolkit from the National Alliance for Grieving Children provides activities and conversations that can empower each of us to become everyday superheroes.
Click here to view the National Alliance for Grieving Children Hero Toolkit
For information about our children’s grief support services, contact us at 760.737.2054