Me, Too. & Company: supporting children and families in grief New Groups Begin   SEPT 25 - -NOV 13 Feb 2 -- APR 1   APR 15 -- JUN 3   Services are offered to participants free of charge. Me, Too. & Company groups are held 3 times a year at one conveniently located site in the Portland-Metro area. Me, Too. & Company has no religious affiliation, although groups meet at a local church that has generously contributed their space for our use. call to register 503.499.5307 Me, Too. & Company is supported by Legacy Hospice Services, the Oregon Hospice Association and Providence Hospice Programs.   What's in a name? When children suffer losses through death, they often feel very different and may isolate themselves from friends and school mates. When children sit in Me, Too. & Company's "opening circle" and share their names and who died, they begin to realize they are not alone. They look at another child and say "hey, me, too." What is Me, Too. & Company? Me, Too. & Company is a program that supports children and families who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling, child, relative, or friend. We offer 8-week support groups for children, teens, and adults in their lives. All of the groups meet at the same location, at the same time, in different rooms. The groups are led by a professional facilitator and volunteers with special training and experience. Typically, there is one facilitator or volunteer for every two children. The children's group is for kids ages 5-11. Kids are invited to express their thoughts and feelings through a talking circle and a variety of play activities. The teen group is for kids ages 12-18. In the company of peers, teens participate in a talking circle and expressive arts activities, including mask-making, working with clay and compiling memory books to honor the person who died in their lives. The adult group has a dual focus. Participants receive support for their own grief and gain a better understanding of how children grieve. Adults also learn how to support their children in having a productive grief process. Me, Too. & Company is not the same as therapy or counseling. The program combines peer support and education for families. Support groups can be an effective means of helping children, teens, and adults after someone has died. What are the goals of Me, Too. & Company groups? Me, Too. & Company strives to create safe and supportive groups which help participants express their thoughts and feelings through discussion and activities. All participants, even those as young as 5, can better understand their own grief process, learn about the grief of others in their family, and develop a confidence in their own grieving. How do I know if my child needs a grief support program? My child isn't "acting out" and doesn't appear to be sad about the death. Is that normal? Children may be affected by loss in a variety of ways, and not all children will have behavior problems following a loss. It is not uncommon for children, especially teenagers, to give the appearance that everything is fine, while hurting deeply inside. Children often do not have the same abilities as adults have to talk about their feelings or to ask for the help they need. For this reason, Me, Too. & Company provides children with other outlets, such as play and art activities to express their sad, hurt or angry feelings. Even children that are not outwardly struggling report benefits from the program. The Me, Too. & Company clinical director can help you explore whether your child or family might benefit from a grief support program.