April 10—May 8
Leon Family Art Gallery at the Sandler Family Campus
Imagine being a child and learning that your mother was killed in a car accident. Who can you talk to about this sudden tragic loss and who will understand? Although family and friends of all ages are impacted when a loved one dies, sometimes there is uncertainity of how to reach out to children and teens.
Jewish Family Service counseling staff, through the Dozoretz Center for Healing and Jessica Glasser Therapeutic Pavilion, specializes in helping individuals of all ages cope with loss and grieving. One component of this program is a free support group for children, teens and their families who have experienced the death of a loved one: Peace by Piece. This program is operated by Edmarc Hospice for Children in collaboration with JFS.
JFS and Edmarc co-sponsor an annual art show—now in its 11th year—that displays the creative drawings and words of local grieving children and teens. This is an opportunity for children and teens to share their feelings with others and to see that they are not alone. The art show is open to any school-aged youth in Tidewater who has experienced the death of a loved one. Over the past 10 years, more than 300 pictures have been submitted.
After Grieving Children’s Art Show artwork is displayed in the Leon Family Art Gallery at the Sandler Family Campus, they will be on display for one night only at Peace by Piece on May 28. After May 28, the art will return to either JFS or Edmarc for display throughout the rest of the year.