#GivingTuesday

We have a day for giving thanks. We have two for getting deals. Now, we have #GivingTuesday, a global day dedicated to giving back. On Tuesday, December 2, 2014, we invite you to celebrate generosity and to give to your favorite charities and organizations. It’s a simple idea. Just find a way for your family, … Read more

Child & Teen Grief Awareness Day

Family Celebration Thursday, November 20, 2014 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows, 1300 Foster Drive We’re recognizing Child and Teen Grief Awareness Day with a fun, family event at the Boys & Girls Club. Please wear blue and join us for: Silent Art Auction by Solace Tree children and teens … Read more

Wear Blue for Child & Teen Grief Awareness Day – Thursday, November 20

Nevada State Governor Brian Sandoval has proclaimed Nov. 20, 2014 as Child and Teen Grief Awareness Day. In honor of Child and Teen Grief Awareness Day, The Solace Tree is holding a fun, family event at The Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows William N. Pennington Facility on Thursday, Nov. 20. Child and Teen Grief Awareness Day is designed to help society become more aware of the needs of grieving children and teens, and the benefits they obtain from the support of others. Observed on the Thursday before Thanksgiving each year, Child and Teen Grief Awareness Day is intentionally set in the holiday season, often a particularly difficult time for those grieving the loss of a loved one.

“It’s a day focused on remembering the children and teens all around us who have experienced the death of a loved one,” explains Emilio Parga, executive director of The Solace Tree. “Families often feel more alone during the holidays and this a reminder to reach out to them and let them know they haven’t been forgotten.”

In commemoration of Child and Teen Grief Awareness Day, individuals are asked to wear blue on Thursday, Nov. 20. That day, The Solace Tree is holding a celebration at The Boys & Girls Club including carnival games from Circus Circus, food from Port of Subs, music provided by Wild 102.9FM, arts and crafts, free fingerprinting from New York Life and more. Mostly, they’ll be celebrating the people, businesses and groups that participate in Child and Teen Grief Awareness

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Swimming for Solace

In memory of his father, Robby Schlesinger will once again be braving the cold depths of Lake Tahoe to raise money for the Solace Tree and other causes close to his heart. Starting on Saturday, July 19, and continuing each day through July 26 (or until completed), he will be swimming around Lake Tahoe. This … Read more

Good Grief Program at the Boys & Girls Club

Solace Tree To Offer
Good Grief Program at the Boys & Girls Club

Reno, NV (June 3, 2014) – The Solace Tree is introducing a new Good Grief Club, which provides support to children and teens, ages 5 to 18, who are dealing with loss. An orientation will be held Wednesday, June 18 from 6:00 to 7:30 at the Solace Tree, and dinner will be served. There is a monthly cost of $50 per family. For more information, email info@solacetree.org or call 775.324.7723.

The Good Grief Club will be an opportunity to help them cope with loss issues that could include:

  • Living in a single parent home
  • Living with someone who is an alcoholic or drug user
  • Having an incarcerated parent
  • Dealing with bullies in school, home or the neighborhood
  • Managing anger responsibly
  • Resolving conflict peacefully
  • Coping with loss and grief
  • Enhancing self-esteem
  • Living, learning, and growing through diversity

Participating children can benefit from learning how to self-manage more effectively in such areas of self-esteem, stress management, and social skills development. Children also learn about themselves and others; address their needs; formulate their thoughts, feelings, and actions as members of the Good Grief Club.

With more than 10 years of helping children and teens deal with loss from death, the Solace Tree staff and volunteers are well-prepared to help families dealing with the emotional strife caused by divorce, moving, visitation rights, loss of belonging(s), and remarriage, just to name a few. Through this program, children will:

  • Better understand their current life situations, as well as find communality and normalcy
  • Develop coping strengths
  • Feel safe within their group
  • Express feelings,

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Solace Tree Volunteer Training Sessions

Reno, NV (April 19, 2014) – Become a volunteer and help support grieving children and teens. The Solace Tree’s next volunteer training sessions are Wednesday, July 23 from 5 to 9 p.m., Thursday, July 24 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. and Sunday, July 27 from 9 to 5 p.m. The Solace Tree mission is to provide … Read more

Butterfly Wishes Gala

Butterfly Wishes 2015 March 12, 2015 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Silver Legacy Resort Casino 407 North Virginia Street Reno, NV 89502 The National Association of Catering and Events (NACE) presents the second annual Butterfly Wishes Gala, in partnership with, and benefiting The Solace Tree. Going on 11 years in northern Nevada, Solace Tree provides … Read more

Solace Tree Celebrates 10th Anniversary with Butterfly Wishes

butterfly wishes header v2

The Solace Tree is celebrating 10 years of providing service to the community with a special event, Butterfly Wishes, co-hosted by the National Association for Catering and Events (NACE), at The Grove (95 Foothill Road), on Thursday, March 6, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. The evening will include a live auction of art created by Solace Tree children and teens, entertainment by the Reno Youth Jazz Orchestra and others, silent auction, 50/50 raffle and live music. Tickets are $75 a person and can be purchased online.

Guests will be treated to signature cocktails: Butterfly Kisses (vodka, St. Germaine, fresh blackberries, cranberry & lime juice) and the Garden Party (vodka, fresh herbs, lavender syrup, citrus Juice, soda /water), as well as a menu of epicurean delights created by The Grove Executive Chef Shakka Moore. The menu includes:
•    Trio of duck – smoked duck breast, duck confit & duck bacon
•    Grilled watermelon, crumbled feta, basil & balsamic reduction
•    Fig, goat cheese, prosciutto cigarillo, port-pomegranate reduction
•    Much more will be featured, along with some surprise epicurean delights

“It is in line with the core values of the NACE organization to give back and support local charities, so when we were connected with the Solace Tree it was a great fit for both of us,” says Kate Patay, CPCE, of the Reno-Tahoe NACE Chapter. “Putting on a celebration of this magnitude is what we do best!”

“Our goal is to provide children, teens, and adults an opportunity to express, acknowledge, normalize and integrate their grief experience,” explained Solace

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The Solace Tree Shares Tips for Dealing with Loss During the Holidays

Reno, NV (November 26, 2013) – The holiday season can be especially difficult for individuals and families who are grieving the loss of a loved one. “There is no right or wrong way to grieve,” shares Emilio Parga, Executive Director of the solace Tree. “Some have said that not having their loved one with them during the holidays has intensified their pain, others have talked about the joy that has been experienced through continuing traditions that were special to the loved one that they have lost.”

Solace Tree children and teens, along with their parents, have shared some guidelines that have made it easier to get through the holidays without their loved one. These are only suggestions, and may or may not be appropriate for your distinguishing circumstance.

  • Talk about your grief as a family and don’t be afraid to talk about the person who has died. Share your thoughts, feelings and memories with people you trust.
  • Invite children in the family to help make choices or decisions about what to do or not to do during the upcoming holidays.
  • Be prepared for all types of reactions. Each individual grieves at their own pace.
  • Children and adolescents need time to grieve. Allow them space, either alone or with support.
  • Keep the spirit alive for young children. It will play a role in their future beliefs about the holiday season.
  • Do things that are simple, such as only decorating one room instead of the whole house.
  • Shop online or through catalogs for gifts.
  • Be honest with your feelings. Try keeping a journal. Write a letter to

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