In This Issue

• Message from the founder
• Upcoming events
• Camp Solace 2009: a great success
• Featured article: Grieving for the Holidays
• Upcoming Book/Journal to Be Released
• A Big Thanks to…

From the Founder

Hello and thank for reading The Solace Tree Newsletter. Next May 1, 2010 will be our 7th year – thank you for your support. We have learned that grief crosses all boundaries. Among people who are suffering the death of a loved one, struggling with care-giving issues for a loved one, facing the changes and challenges of a loved one’s disease or illness, placing a loved one in a nursing home or health facility; all these can feel like huge barriers that isolate us and weigh us down. Just think too, how the children are feeling. Schedules, activities, routines, rituals and traditions are now different, awkward and/or out of sight. To be among others who are sharing a similar loss… to learn from them the ways in which their lives could be made less troublesome or painful… is a great gift. People we didn’t know before are no longer strangers. Other survivors who have gone before us have tremendous knowledge, support, and comfort to share, and we will benefit by being open, respectful and receptive to them.

Reluctance to commit to a support or sharing group is understandable. Anxiety and fear while leaving us paralyzed, can at the same time be a safe place where we don’t have to face, maybe our greatest places to learn and grow. Chances are, if we attend a few times, we begin making connections and establishing friendships. We will feel great relief among those who know the road we are on, the rugged terrain over which we will travel and what is required to make the journey. Nevertheless, the empathic presence of knowledgeable, skillful and caring adults can do much to provide opportunities for growth as a child, teen and adult learns to live with the death of one loved. Thank you for attending and know that we care.

-Emilio Parga, Founder

Upcoming Events

Join us for: The Solace Holiday Tree at the Historic Garden Shop at Caughlin Ranch in support of The Solace Tree, a center for grieving children and teens in the Reno area & western Nevada.

When: December 12th 4:00 PM-8:00 PM 3636 Mayberry (off N. McCarran)

The Solace Tree is featuring special holiday fun at the Ranch. Tour this beautifully restored piece of Reno history, see farm animals and Santa, and enjoy wine and snacks in a festive setting.

Location: Garden Shop at Caughlin Ranch 3636 Mayberry Dr. (o N. McCarran)

Tickets: $30 at the door, $25 RSVP; Children: Free.

Please RSVP by 12/7 to Emilio Parga emilio@solacetree.org | 775-250-0601 or mail to: The Solace Tree 1061 Evans Av. Reno, NV 89503

Camp Solace 2009: A Great Success

The first weekend in September marked the second gathering of Camp Solace, a grief camp for kids and teens dealing with a lost family member or loved one.  The camp, located on the shores of east Lake Tahoe, provided campers a chance to meet and share with kids who have gone through similar tragedies.

The Solace Tree, a Reno-based kids grief share charity, hosted the unique camp with the help of many adult camp counselors.  Solace Tree founder, Emilio Parga, noted that although many grief camps exist throughout the country, Camp Solace was the first camp that The Solace Tree was able to host.  The camp featured various activities aimed at building trust and teamwork.  Campers spent much of their time days just being kids – swimming, kayaking, playing volleyball, making crafts, and participating in team skits.

In addition to typical camping activities, Camp Solace attendees spent time journaling and remembering those loved ones who they’d lost.  The campers crafted flags from fabric to symbolize a memory of their lost loved one.  In addition, campers participated in a candle lighting ceremony on each evening to honor and remember their lost loved ones.  During these times, the kids had the opportunity to share something about their loved one such as a poem or memory.  Although the grieving process for a young one can be far more difficult than imaginable, Camp Solace provided campers a place of trust, unity, and hope for the future.

Grieving for the Holidays

The holidays can be a difficult time for those suffering the loss of a loved one.  Solace Tree Founder Emilio Parga has written an article for those in need of help and encouragement.

Click here to view >>

Upcoming Book/Journal to Be Released

The Solace Tree will be releasing a new book about suicide entitled “Out of the Shadows” in the spring of 2010.  The book is geared toward teens who have experienced the death of a loved one due to suicide.

We are currently looking for sponsors to print this book.  If you are interested in helping out with this need, please contact us.

A Big Thanks to…

…NSET for supporting the Solace Tree at their Wine Tasting celebration in September .

…The Knights of Columbus for giving proceeds from its golf tournament in September to support the mission and purpose of The Solace Tree.