Blue lights glowing around Langley will show support for grieving children and teens.
The Langley Hospice Society’s Paint the Town Blue campaign returns again this year, culminating on Nov. 14 which is Children’s Grief Awareness Day.
The society has been distributing blue light bulbs asking businesses and individuals to light the bulbs on Nov. 14 and display them where the public can see their support for the cause.
“We wanted something simple to raise awareness,” said Shannon Todd Booth, the society’s communications and fund development manager.
People are then asked to social media out a photo of their blue bulb participation with the hashtag #CGAD2019 and/or #LangleyCares.
[Story continues below Tweet]
Hey #Langley #ChildrensGriefAwarenessDay is Nov.14. We need your help to #PainttheTownBlue by substituting a blue light bulb & lighting it up in honour of grieving children & teens in our community
— Langley Hospice (@LangleyHospice) November 5, 2019
Please #SHARE #LangleyCares❤️ #CGAD2019#LangleyGives #ShowtheLove #SharetheLove pic.twitter.com/q9s6g6y8vk
The day is intended to show young people who have experienced the death of a loved one that they are not forgotten as well as remind people that children and teens grieve.
“Children grieve very differently than adults,” she explained.
Children who have lost a loved one may find they need support years later when they reach certain life milestones or make transitions such as entering junior high school or graduating. Todd Booth explained that’s often when the grief returns because that loved one is not there to share in the joys and sorrows of the young person’s life.
Due to demand for services for children and teens, the hospice has two full-time staff members overseeing the youth bereavement programming. The society can offer one on one counselling for children even those to young to be in school. It also has support groups for children four and older, and when asked, counselling in the schools.
“So we are bringing supports to children where they are,” Todd Booth said.
To mark Children’s Grief Awareness Day 2019, the hospice society has two banners being installed in Langley City prior to the day.
As well, the society is hosting two workshops tailored to helping young people.
“We’re also excited this year to be offering a couple of workshops, thanks to funding we’ve received through community grants from the City of Langley and Township of Langley,” Todd Both said.
From noon to 3 p.m. on Nov. 14, parents, neighbours, teachers, school counsellors, and anyone interested can attend a session with experts on the topic of best practices to support grieving children and teens.
The second workshop is for professionals and costs $20. Navigating the Family Blueprint is specific about supporting young people when a family member has a serious illness. It’s 4 to 6 p.m. on Nov. 14.
Both workshops take place at H.D. Stafford Middle School, 20441 Grade Cres. People can sign up for the workshops at langleyhospice.com/cgad or call 604-530-1115 for more information.
There are more than 70 people signed up but “we still have room for more,” Todd Booth noted.
“We’ve invited our local youth service organizations to have displays, so folks can take a look at what supports are in place in our community” she noted.