Grief Recovery Group for Teens and Young Adults

Akwesasne Child and Family Services is pleased to announce the creation of a youth group in Akwesasne to help our young people deal with grief. This group was originally set to target teenagers ages 13-17, but has been extended to also include young adults up to 21 years old. The group is for those youth who have experienced any type of loss and are currently affected by grief issues and would like to work through this grief in a supportive and positive atmosphere. The group is a grief recovery group and will run 12 weeks on Wednesdays from 6pm-8pm at the Seniors Building (behind the Tribal Police Station) in Hogansburg.

The group will begin February 19th and will run through May 7, 2014. The group is limited to 30 youth and the registration packets can be picked up at the Akwesasne Child and Family Services front desk. The packet will have more information on what they can expect from the group and it is to be filled out by the youth who is planning on attending.

The group will be facilitated by four Certified Grief Recovery Specialists; Traditional Support Workers Glenn Swamp and Vickie Horne and Family Support Workers April Benedict and Leona Phillips. Glenn Swamp, Vickie Horne and Leona Phillips are also trained through White Bison as Mending Broken Hearts Facilitators. Our group will also be incorporating cultural teachings into our group activities.

Grief has been an issue in our community for generations. Teaching our young people how to cope with loss in positive and productive ways in a supportive atmosphere creates hope and understanding of our past and of ourselves as a people. Healing is a choice and we would like that the participants are ready to face the challenge for themselves. If you know a young person that you feel would benefit from this group, please contact Akwesasne Child and Family Services for more information at 613-575-2341 ext. 3139 or email [email protected].