Living and Learning Through Loss is a free program designed to help you, young adults between the ages of 13 and 18, through experiences of significant loss.
All of us have experienced grief and loss. Grief can have a profound impact on all aspects of our lives, from relationships to health, from short-term to long-term. Many of you may experience the loss of at least one significant relationship as a result of:
- family breakdown,
- moving to a new home or community,
- adoption,
- abuse,
- loss of health,
- or the death or serious illness of a family member or close friend.
Quotes
"Crying is healing. We can't cry at school because we have to wear masks" - program participant
"We have had grief. Now we can handle that grief. We can talk, we can listen. We aren't alone anymore" - program participant
The tragedy of loss adds to the normal turbulence of growing and transitioning through young adulthood. Those of you experiencing loss can be supported to look openly and honestly at yourself and the relationship that has been lost or radically altered. Skilled support is available in helping you enter into a process of healing. Healing from those losses is a process, not an event.
What is Grief?
Grief is the emotional, physical, intellectual, behavioral and spiritual process of adjusting to loss.
Grief occurs throughout our lives and is a process, not an event. Grieving is a necessity, not a weakness. It is important to recognize that grieving doesn’t go away completely and that it will change over time. All people who suffer loss experience grief in one way or another. If ignored, grief may show up as changes in concentration, troubled relationships, emotional problems or physical illness.
Living and Learning Through Loss Values
- Hope - We provide hope to youth, their families and community members who are experiencing grief and loss.
- Healing education - We provide appropriate resources to youth, their families and community members to live, learn and heal through their losses.
- Community - We work collaboratively with our community partners to support youth experiencing grief and loss.
- Ethical - We serve youth, their families and community members with integrity, professionalism, accountability and excellence.
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