Ryan’s Heart provides grief support
PRESQUE ISLE — Ryan’s Heart embarked on a new journey that began in May of 2010. With the help of Hospice of Aroostook and various other local counselors, the non-profit began a comprehensive grief support training program in an effort to launch Neighborhood Hearts, a new 10-week grief support program for children and teens in the Central Aroostook area. The program received resounding support, as local community members came together and volunteered their time to help support such a cause.
“A program of this type is so needed in rural areas and is long overdue in Aroostook County,” stated Janet Durgin, a previous Hospice counselor, who acted as one of the group’s mentors and helped to co-coordinate the training with Hospice of Aroostook.
The support groups commenced on May 28. Through the use of group activities and art, such as memory boxes, self-portraits, journaling and egg throwing, the youth experienced that it was ok to feel sad and have fun at the same time.
The group also introduced pet therapy. Joining forces with the Central Aroostook Humane Society, Ryan’s Heart welcomed three dogs and one cat to their support group. Chris Robinson, president of the Humane Society, brought in Pugsly, Tommy, Rusty and Mamma Kitty for the children to hold and pet during their groups.
While Robinson spoke to the group about animals and the benefits they can provide, the children took turns petting and holding the animals. When the individual work groups broke out, the animals were allowed to wander back and forth between groups to visit with them.
Kelly Gumprecht, president of Ryan’s Heart, said, “I am just so proud of the group and what we have accomplished. Grief work is hard; however, the volunteer facilitators dedicated countless hours and the children were so inspiring. Having the support of individuals and organizations such as Wintergreen Arts Center, Hospice of Aroostook and the Central Aroostook Humane Society truly enabled us to create a safe and healing environment.”
Neighborhood Hearts celebrated the hard work and success of all the participants on July 28, by holding a special closing ceremony. Both the participants and the facilitators were emotional as each participant was presented with a Participation Certificate, a folder of their own personal grief work and a very special blanket, donated to the group by the Aroostook County Linus Project.
Ryan’s Heart has received funding for the Neighborhood Hearts program from the United Way of Aroostook, the Maine Community Foundation and the Count on the County Initiative. It took a lot of hard work and planning, but it all paid off. The pilot program went extremely well and is expected to be offered again in the spring of 2011 and again in the fall of 2011.
“We learned something new every week,” stated Gumprecht. “It was a new experience for all of us. Some things worked well, others did not; however, we developed a community – a Neighborhood of Hearts – by sharing and working together.”
Ryan’s Heart would like to extend a special thank you to Pathfinders of Bangor, Robin Holmes, Janet Durgin and to all of the Neighborhood Hearts volunteer facilitators. Without the dedication and countless hours each devoted, this program would not have been possible.
FMI about Ryan’s Heart, please visit www.ryansheartnpo.org
