The Children’s Grief Center in Albuquerque-Supporting the Grieving Student

BySandra Morgan Little Updated:

Of course we are shocked and saddened as a community to hear the horrible crime that was perpetrated against 10-year-old Victoria. Well, almost 10.  She was killed the day before her 10th birthday.Our role is to provide a safe and supportive environment for grieving families. Victoria had an 8 year old brother, and he will find his way to us.  Due to the devastating circumstances of this child’s death, our community is asking more of us.

PNM has organized a “Birthday Party” of sorts in Victoria’s honor – this is an event to help the general public feel like they can “do something” – satisfying an action-oriented grief response 😉

Location: Mariposa Park:  4900 Kachina St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87120

Time:  2pm – 5pm

Supporting the Grieving Student – a CGC program sponsored by New York Life Grief Reach Foundation

Schools are impacted by grief in many ways.

A student experiences the death of a family member, or close friend.
A classroom experiences the terminal illness of a fellow student, or faculty member.
A classroom experiences the sudden death of a fellow student, or faculty member.
The Children’s Grief Center of New Mexico (CGC) has been providing peer support for bereaved youth in central New Mexico since 2001.

The majority of our referrals come from school counselors, typically because a student was referred to them after changes in their behavior (being bullied, becoming withdrawn, hiding under desks, declining grades, attendance, hygiene) were observed and reported.

CGC staff have resources and information to help schools address grief and loss and promote healing.

Our “Supporting Grieving Students” presentation gives information on childhood bereavement and how schools can:

Recognize: situations that engender grief and how it “shows up” in different student ages and stages

Respond: to the situation in a fair, helpful way

Revisit: As students mature and progress through new developmental stages, their understanding of loss and it’s impact on their lives matures as well.  Learn about resources such as the Grief Survival Kit, talking with families about loss, and Post Traumatic Growth.

Contact us to learn more, or schedule a presentation in your school.

“Supporting the Grieving Student” invite the Grief Center staff to your school for a 2 hour presentation.

“This was very helpful, informative, and relevant to my position (Middle School Counselor).”

“Sometimes “grief talk” can be vague.  The step-by-step approaches were helpful.”

“Very interesting!  And helpful! There is no-one here who does this.”

“What to Say, and What not to Say” to a grieving student.

“Grief Survival Kits” age-appropriate resources for Elementary, Middle and High School families and faculty who are grieving a death.