News Archives - Page 13 of 14

Introducing “Kids Can Cope” – An Activity Book For Grieving Children

March 24, 2009 by Solace Tree

The Solace Tree is excited to announce the arrival of our latest book, Kids Can Cope. Kids Can Cope is an activity book from children for children who are living with change and loss. Written by Solace Tree Founder Emilio Parga, the book features more than 60 pages of text offering numerous opportunities for children to describe what is happening, write down their questions, draw pictures, identify sources of help and engage in other activities to help them cope. In addition, a four page glossary explains a long list of terms that may be puzzling to children.

Caring adults will welcome the new tools that Kids Can Cope offers them to help children striving to find ways to manage challenges arising from their own life-threatening illnesses or those of others.
-Charles A. Corr, Ph.D.

Losing a precious member of the family means that the idea of “family” will never be the same. Previous assumptions and what could have been become a fantasy world, with all expectations suddenly gone. Learning to “live” with loss forces us to find a way to remember, keep this special person in our hearts, yet experience joy and life again with those we love. This workbook allows children the opportunity for self discovery down this previously untraveled path, opening new doors to share thoughts and wishes and fears. Through this process they find themselves again and create family anew.
-Caroline Hastings, MD, Children’s Hospital and Research Center, Oakland, California

Kids Can Cope will be available for purchase beginning on April 7th, 2009

Solace Tree Founder Emilio Parga Honored by University

March 24, 2009 by Solace Tree

Solace Tree founder Emilio Parga has been honored by the University of Nevada’s School of Medicine as Clinical Assisstant Professor. This new role will allow Parga to be a resource to students and professors learning more about the grieving process. About the School of Medicine As the state’s only public medical school, the University of … Read more

The Solace Tree Receives $30,000 Grant From William G. McGowan Charitable Fund

December 8, 2008 by Solace Tree

The Solace Tree wishes to thank The William G. McGowan Charitable Fund for their $30,000 grant aimed at supporting programs and services for individuals and families who have experienced loss through the death of a loved one. About the Foundation The Philanthropic Family Foundation was founded in 1992 by William G. McGowan to promote, nurture, … Read more

The Solace Tree Featured in December RLife Magazine

November 21, 2008 by Solace Tree

Excerpt from December’s RLife Magazine:

The holiday season can be especially difficult for individuals who are grieving the loss of a loved one. Some family members share that not having their loved one around during the holidays intensifies the pain of the loss. While others talk about the joy that can be experienced through continuing traditions special to the person who died, they too will remember the memories of past holidays by commemorating the deceased.

If you are like some people experiencing grief, you have many questions. It’s important to know there are no right or wrong answers-everyone grieves differently. There may be various answers depending upon the unique factors of you and your family’ssituation: who it was that died, when and how the person died, what your relationship was like with the person who died, and how involved you and your family were with the holidays, to name a few.

Here are some guidelines The Solace Tree participants have shared that are helpful to get through the holiday season. These are only suggestions. Shape them to fit your circumstances. Try to remember that many others have had experiences similar to what you’re going through right now. They have learned what it is like to endure and to survive and often even to grow through their experiences.

Embrace your memories; they are your greatest link to legacies that exist after someone dies. Talking about the person by sayingtheir name and sharing your memories with others really does help keep these days special.
Invite children in the family to help make choices or decisions
Read more

The Solace Tree Thanks The Leo Buscaglia Foundation

November 20, 2008 by Solace Tree

The Solace Tree wishes to thank The Leo Buscaglia Foundation for their $7500 gift and continued support of the charity’s center for grief and loss. The Solace Tree could not exist without the generous support of its volunteers and givers. If you are interested in giving to the Solace Tree, visit our Donation page.

A Big Thanks to Bicsi For Their Generous Donation

October 22, 2008 by Solace Tree

The Solace Tree wishes to thank BICSI for its generous donation giving during the organization’s fall conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. Bicsi has generously donated $32,500 to The Solace Tree in support of its grief programs for children, teens, and adults. About BICSI BICSI is the worldwide preeminent source of information, education and knowledge assessment … Read more

Solace Tree Founder Named Citizen of the Year

October 17, 2008 by Solace Tree

Emilio Parga, founder of The Solace Tree, has been honored with RGJ’s Reno Citizen of the Year 2007. About the Award Each year, hundreds of local residents help make Northern Nevada a better place to live. Some have jobs or responsibilities that make headlines, but their accomplishments go beyond their job descriptions. They have a … Read more

RGJ – Camp Solace Provides Grieving Children and Teens Hope, Support

October 16, 2008 by Solace Tree

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

Article In Washoe Family Magazine

October 4, 2008 by Solace Tree

Original article published April 2007, in Washoe Family magazine.

In times of grief and sadness, there’s no better way to find comfort than breathing in fresh air and soaking up sunlight. That’s why for two weekends each year, 34 children, 16 adolescents, 25 volunteer facilitators, two nurses, a cook and two camp leaders gather in the great outdoors for bereavement camp.

In 2002, the Solace Tree was created as this community’s first non-profit organization to assist families and children with bereavement. When loved ones die, children and adults are faced with a tremendous range of feelings, which come and go at different times. These new emotions and the challenges of grief are diffcult pieces to fit into daily life, which is why we felt it was important to create a sort of escape, in the form of bereavement camp — some place to get away, if only for a few days, to become rejuvenated, to deal with feelings and to soak up that sunshine.

Our first camp, in the summer of 2006, was so popular that we, unfortunately, had to turn away 32 children and adolescents, simply due to a lack of space. We decided that from then on, we would hold bereavement camp two weekends a year, once in summer and once in fall.

These two camps — Camp Solace, held at majestic Glenbrook at Lake Tahoe, and Camp HUG at Eagle Lake — are both designed to help kids, ages 7 to 17, to grieve in a safe environment, as they learn

Inside This Issue:

A Note From the Founder