To the Editor:

Hospice of St. Lawrence Valley would like to thank the Northern New York Community Foundation for their generous support through grant funding. Their investment made it possible for us to host a special “Grief Crafternoon” at the Police Activities League (PAL) in Massena.

Children experience grief over many things including the death or rehoming of pets, switching schools, and relationship changes among their parents. In addition to these losses, 1 in 13 children in New York will experience the death of a parent or sibling by the time they turn 18. These losses deeply affect young people, yet grief is still something many families struggle to talk about. Events like “Grief Crafternoon” allow children a chance to discuss the concept of loss and explore all the emotions they may feel.

Through age-appropriate activities, facilitated by local school counselors and social workers, kids who attended were given tools to better understand their grief and create a lasting connection with the person or pet who died.

We are especially grateful to PAL for sharing their welcoming space and to the Community Foundation for their instrumental support in bringing this event to the young grievers in our community.

Events like this help normalize conversation about loss and let kids feel seen, supported, and a little less alone while learning to live with grief.

Kate Favaro

Grief Awareness and Education Manager

Hospice of St. Lawrence Valley