About

About HALos

HALos (Help After Loss) is a grass roots not for profit resource and referral organization that began through the cooperative efforts of several bereaved parents.

HALos volunteers are paraprofessionals mentored by licensed health care professionals.

Mission and Goals

HALos' Mission is to assist children and their families experiencing crisis or loss to reclaim balance in their lives.

HALos' ultimate goal is 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.

Our Story

...our journey

An Idea Is Born

HALos was founded in 2000 through the cooperative efforts of several bereaved parents. Its mission and services initially targeted immediate crisis intervention, information and referrals for families experiencing the imminent or actual death of their child.

Incorporated

HALos became incorporated in February 2001.

Not for Profit

HALos obtained its 501 (c) (3) status in July 2003.

Re-defining Loss for HALos

In 2004, HALos Board of Directors recognized the need to expand its definition of "loss" to include loss caused by a variety of traumatic events affecting children and their families such as a change in life style caused by a divorce, move or change in custody arrangements, addiction, incarceration, life threatening illness or death, deployment, loss of a pet, loss of ability, and so much more.

Project HUGS

Project HUGS (Help Understand Grief Situations) was created in 2004.

HALos Today

HALos' currently collaborates with educators, community leaders, mental health and healthcare professionals. We receive referrals from the local public school systems, and collaborate with Broome Chenango Canine Help Group. This organization provides registered therapy dogs to families when needed. Opportunity to pet, touch, and talk to these therapy dogs has proven beneficial to some individuals. Two licensed Clinical Social Workers are also available for consultation with the "Special Friend" throughout the initial planning for and the tracking of the HUGS enrolled families. Referrals to mental health agencies are made whenever such services are warranted.

The HUB

HALos purchased the former Great American in Afton on June of 2019. Demolition began in November of 2019. Work began in December of 2019. Things slowed with COVID but contractors and volunteers continued to work. The Grand Opening is on April 30, 2022 for Phase 1 of The HUB. (Picture: HALos participating in the 4 Towns Forward Community Yard Sale on 4/23/2022 - Thank you to all who supported HALos today and accepted our invitations to our Grand Opening!)

The Foster Program

Developed by Joyce and student intern, Bonnie, HALos’ Foster Program focuses on the losses for foster children, foster parents, & the biological children of the foster parent.

HALos foster program will meet the third Thursday of each month giving the foster parents an opportunity to meet other foster parents, develop peer support, discuss their concerns, and develop positive coping skills.

Theme appropriate books, therapeutic activities and games will be utilized to give the foster children and the biological children an opportunity to identify, share, label their feelings, and identify their losses created by their individual fostering experience.