Project HUGS
HUGS Goals:
HALos ultimate goal became to improve community and family awareness of loss and how loss affects children and their family relationships, their success in school, and how to help children rebuild self-esteem and resiliency. HUGS attempts to achieve this goal by empowering the child who has been powerless regarding their loss situation. The volunteer understands the importance of respecting, cherishing, nurturing, and encouraging the opinions of grieving children and their parents. But ultimately it will be the child that determines if the meetings continue, what happens at the next meeting and who is involved. If information is shared by the child in confidence the "Special Friend" will encourage the child to share this info with the parent, but unless it is harm- threatening the volunteer will not break the child's confidence.
HUGS Special Friends:
The "Special Friend" becomes a mentor for the children and their parents and multiple meetings take place at locations that meet their needs. During these interactions, the "Special Friend" encourages the children to share their thoughts and feelings. They are provided with activities such as: drawing pictures, telling their stories through making books, playing relevant games, listening to music, reading relevant books or watching movies. These activities prove beneficial in allowing children to express themselves. Their ability to identify, share, and label their feelings are enhanced. Ultimately these interactions allow children and their parents the opportunity to develop positive coping skills. They also become better prepared to understand themselves and their circumstances.
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