 |  | Willow House Workshops and Groups:
Monthly support groups are held at donated spaces in Arlington Heights, Libertyville and Oakbrook for children, teens and families who are grieving the death of a loved one. Groups are facilitated by professionals or trained volunteers, many of whom are widowed or have lost a child. These groups are the foundation of Willow House's programs. Our support groups are offered free of charge. Unlike hospice bereavement programs, there is no time limit - families decide how often to come and for how long. Willow House has never turned away a family in need, nor put anyone on a waiting list. All facilitators are volunteers who have been thoroughly and properly interviewed and trained. Some have experienced personal bereavement; many are mental health professionals.
Group sessions for children and teens include specific projects that are meaningful and provide comfortable opportunities for sharing feelings and thoughts related to the grieving process. Adult group participants are invited to discuss issues that are especially significant to them in their personal circumstances. Topics are also introduced to elicit sharing, discussion, and to provide supportive education. Every monthly group program includes pre- and post-group meetings and supervision for facilitators led by the Executive Director and Clinical Coordinator. An annual Weekend Family Camp, Family Picnics and Holiday Memorials are planned with all group families joining together at one site. The children served by Willow House range in age from 3 – 17. Participating adults who are widowed or have experienced the death of a child are mostly in their 30s and 40s. Willow House recently added a new group for young adults, a population that is typically underserved. What To Expect At A Group Meeting:
6:00 – 6:30 Pizza Dinner
6:30 – 6:45 Opening Circle
6:45 – 7:45 Group Sessions
Dinner
Prior to each group, there is an optional pizza dinner that begins at 6:00 p.m. Here the facilitators and group members have the opportunity to have dinner and socialize before group begins at 6:30 p.m. Any donation members would like to make toward the cost of the pizzas or dinner supplies is appreciated.
Opening Circle
At 6:30 p.m. all families and group facilitators gather for the Opening Circle. Everyone is invited to introduce themselves and to share who died in their family. Children and teens may also share a picture of their loved one who has died. Willow House respects everyone’s choice to speak or to “pass” during Opening Circle or group sessions.
Group Sessions
Small groups for children and teens are organized according to age. Each group has at least two facilitators. Planned activities are age appropriate and designed to encourage the expression of feelings and to provide opportunities for group members to memorialize their loved one in a safe and nurturing environment. There are separate adult groups for the young widowed and bereaved parents. There is also a Young Adult group at the Arlington Heights location.
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