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Henry Ford SandCastles Grief Support Program

Cause Area

  • Children & Youth
  • Community

Location

2850 W. Grand Blvd., 3rd FloorDetroit, MI 48202 United States

Organization Information

Mission Statement

SandCastles Grief Support Program provides a caring place for children, teens, and their families who have experienced a death. SandCastles offers quality community-based family grief services, which encourage peer support and are enhanced by educational outreach.

Description

SandCastles, a division of Henry Ford Hospice, is a grief support program that offers peer support for children and teens ages 3 to 18 who have experienced a death. Families come together for nurturing and strength as they journey through the world of grief. SandCastles is committed to quality children's bereavement services both within the Henry Ford Health System and the community it serves. As a division of Hospice, SandCastles services are not strictly for Hospice families. Children and teens in the community who have experienced various types of death are eligible to join the SandCastles Program. We provide a safe environment where children can share and be with someone who is going through the same thing that they are. Children and teens are placed into groups by age. A parent/guardian group also meets at that time. Our groups meet twice monthly at each of our seven program sites located in Clinton Township, Detroit, Livonia, Rochester, Southfield, St. Clair Shores, and West Bloomfield. In addition to our year long program, SandCastles also offers an overnight weekend bereavement camp which is usually held once a year in August for children and teens in grades one through twelve.

***Please note all services are being provided virtually during the pandemic.

Reviews

Would you recommend Henry Ford SandCastles Grief Support Program?
4 reviews Write a review
by Casey P. (October 26, 2021)
Sandcastles is an amazing program that I have had the opportunity to both be a participate and volunteer for. After going through their program when my mother died 12 years ago, I decided to return as a volunteer to help kids just like me six years ago. It is one of the most rewarding things I have chosen to do to give back to an organization that had such an impact on my life. All of the staff is friendly, inviting, and truly are there to support you when you need it. I would highly recommend volunteering with this program to anyone I know.
by Kelly B. (October 25, 2021)
I absolutely loved my time volunteering with SandCastles. It's an honor and privilege to get to know the children, support them in their grief and see them find connection, hope and healing. Wonderful people and program!
by Andrea K. (September 24, 2021)
SandCastles is an exceptional program that provides a safe place and amazing support for children, teens and their families as they navigate through their grief after experiencing a death. The SandCastles staff brings compassion, care and knowledge to their support role. It is an honor to volunteer for the program, and work side by side with the staff and the other volunteers. Grief is very personal, and unique to each individual. It is truly a gift to walk with someone on their grief journey. A very humbling, rewarding and special kind of volunteer experience!
by Joy O. (December 17, 2009)
My children an I all received support for the loss of my husband and their father in 2005 Thur 2007. While we lived in Michigan. My boys both attended summer camp with Sand Castles, which they loved. I as a parent in group received much support. We have moved back to my home state of Illinois, and I have been lost without Sand Castle ever since. Now as my two children are young teens. And we have experienced a loss of a locale teen, while it see the need for a support group. Sand Castles gave us life again in Michigan. I would like to bring life to this little area of Illiois.

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