In 2002, while teaching at an elementary school and finishing his master's degree in counseling, Emilio Parga found out that he had cancer. That same year, students in Emilio's class lost parents to suicide, accidental death and cancer. In his attempt to provide these children with emotional support, not only did Emilio find that many kids and teenagers lose a parent, sibling or caregiver in Washoe County elementary, middle and high schools throughout the year, but he also discovered that, there were no grief support programs for them. Battling cancer at the time and all too well knowing a child or teen's need for support when a family member or caregiver dies (Parga lost his father when he was ten) Emilio decided there was no time to wait for someone else to start a program, he created the Solace Tree.

The Solace Tree, a support program for grieving children, teens and families believes that children and teens heal by being able to outwardly express their feelings with peers who are also grieving a loss. This sharing plays a significant role in a child being able to adjust to the changes in their world and the likelihood that they will have a healthier life. Having the opportunity to express grief and learn about it after a loss enables children, teens and families to grow. They are able to move towards healing emotional wounds such as guilt, depression, anger, sadness and fear which are often related to death says Parga. Children and teens meet every other week to participate in support groups.

At the same time that children and teens get together, parents and caregivers meet in another room to share their loss and to gain insight into what others are experiencing. Regarding the parent and caregiver meetings, Emilio states "I believe that any adult who is involved in a child or teen's life will at some time need to help the child during the time of loss. The Solace Tree is about Hope! We offer grief support in a safe loving, non-judgmental haven".

By starting a grief support program that is free for all bereaved persons, Emilio's hope is that those who use the services find it safe, beneficial to their needs, and that it provides knowledge to those who strive to help themselves and their loved ones through the darkest moments of their life.

Emilio Parga is a member and Chair of the Association for Death Education and Counseling and a member of the planning committee of The National Children's Grief Symposium. He has immersed himself in local and national issues relating to children's grief and loss and writes for Northern Nevada Family Life and Nevada Nurses Association. Parga is also a Ph.D. candidate in hopes of sharing his gained knowledge with community members, schools and professionals that support children and teens who are grieving the loss of a loved one.

"A friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out." - Walter Winchell