St. Thomas offers program for children dealing with loss
Parents are often caught up in their own pain at a time of loss and may be unable to reach out and help their children.
Rainbows, designed for youngsters in kindergarten through eighth grade, helps children work through their grief and build a stronger sense of self-esteem by bringing children of the same age level together in small groups to put their feelings into words.
St. Thomas the Apostle Church offers Rainbows from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. Saturdays, starting Sept. 16, at the church, 1500 Brookdale Road, Naperville. The program runs through March, but participants are welcome to come as they feel a need.
On the Journey, a sharing and support group for parents, will meet weekly at the same time.
The confidential sessions for children are led by trained, compassionate adults who are good listeners. In the meetings, the youngsters share their feelings through activities, games and discussion. Leaders also have participated in the Joliet Diocesan workshop Protecting God's Children, and have undergone background checks.
To register for Rainbows or for information, contact Patti Dougherty, director of religious education at St. Thomas, at pdougherty@stapostle.org or (630) 355-8980, ext. 109.
If you go
What: Rainbows, a support program for children dealing with loss
When: 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. Saturdays, starting Sept. 16
Where: St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 1500 Brookdale Road, Naperville
Info: (630) 355-8980, ext. 109, or pdougherty@stapostle.org