Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids Offers Children’s Grief Program [Video]

When you buy a ticket to see your favorite comedian at any LaughFest event, the money stays here in the area, and is put to use by Gilda's Club Grand Rapids to put together programs that aid families going through the pains of having lost a loved one with cancer.

Thursday, November 20, is National Children’s Grief Awareness Day, and children who have lost a parent or sibling need support to work through the grieving process.

Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids, located at 1806 Bridge Street NW, will host programming for Children’s Grief Awareness tonight, Wednesday, November 19 beginning at 6 p.m.

“With the holiday season upon us, many families and especially children are grappling with the death of a loved one. Research shows grieving children face tough challenges when coping with grief,” said Wendy Wigger, president, Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids.

“This burden is often complicated by a lack of community awareness about bereavement, and a lack of understanding the community resources available.”

Currently, Gilda's Club Grand Rapids has more than 150 youth under the age of 18 participating regularly in its children’s grief programs. Additionally, GCGR’s in-school programs have provided support to more than 6,000 children.

“At Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids, grief support is available to anyone who has experienced any type of death, not just cancer related,” said Wigger.

Programs available at GCGR, to help children struggling with grief take place on Wednesday evenings beginning with dinner at 5:30 p.m. and support groups sessions from 6-7:30p.m. Grief support groups include groups for spouse grief with children living at home, parent grief, family and friends grief, young adult grief, teen grief, tween grief and others.

If you know of anyone who could benefit from this counseling, please contact Gilda's Club Grand Rapids.

Tickets are on sale now for LaughFest 2015, featuring top talent like Patton Oswalt, Wanda Sykes and George Lopez.