Rainbows - Youth Group
Family & Youth Support Services (FYSS) staff are certified facilitators to offer “Rainbows for All Children”, a grief and loss peer support program for ages 6-12.
Children/youth can be referred by their parents/caregivers, school counsellors, or social workers.
The program follows a structured course curriculum, which runs in a small-group format once a week, over the course of 12 weeks.
Parents/caregivers must complete an intake to provide personal information and important details about the child’s grief/loss experiences before the group begins. This is to make sure we know the child and family’s circumstances. We hope to understand your child as best as we can and get a chance to meet them individually at a “meet and greet” before we come together in the group setting.
Purpose of Rainbows Program:
- Provides a safe space for children to navigate the complexities of grief. The curriculum guides children through the stages and emotions associated with grief,
- Supporting children through significant life changes, such as moving, death or loss of a loved one, family separations, divorce, blended families and/or stepfamilies, and any other challenging circumstances such as a child being in foster care, losing a pet, or a family member having chronic illness.
- Our groups are organized by age/development, ensuring children are surrounded by peers who can relate to their experiences.
- We believe that having a supportive and reliable, consistent safe adult is crucial to help children process their grief, and our facilitators aim to provide dedicated time, space, and positive outlets to move through the grief cycle.
- In our supportive community, children can find great comfort as they share their stories and build friendships, finding similarities to their peers, and knowing what they are going through effects other families too.
- The week's topics should help kids feel listened to and cared for as they explore feelings, develop coping skills, all while building relationships and community connection.
What Children Can Expect:
- A special, private/confidential journal workbook the children will get to keep at the end. We use the journals each week, and we do not read them! Weekly journal entries are not required, but are strongly encouraged as part of participation and engagement.
- Games and interactive activities! We do lots of fun things to encourage laughter and bonding.
- Arts and crafts to promote creativity, emotional expression and a therapeutic process.
- Explore feelings, emotions, shared similar experiences through circle time and turn-taking.
- Snack and drink are always provided.
Take a look at the Rainbows For All Children resources and pamphlets!
To learn more about the program, check out their website:
Please note:
- Sometimes groups may need to be blended age groups if it is appropriate to do so.
- Rainbows is only offered when there is an identified community need and enough referrals for a group
- Due to staffing and the consistency and dedication needed for this group, our team aims to offer Rainbows once annually, and we advertise dates/times of group accordingly.
To get on the list for the next Rainbows Program, please contact Lacey Redding for your inquiry and to complete a referral.
Brought to you by:
Ladysmith Resources Centre Association
P: 250-245-3079
F: 250-245-3798
Monday – Thursday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
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Registration no.
896835667 RR 0001
Mailing
P.O. Box 1653
Ladysmith BC, V9G 1B2
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