Point of Hope

Capital Caring Children and Teen Bereavement Programs

For nearly two decades, Capital Caring has embraced grieving children and teens by offering grief support through specialized bereavement programs held in individual Capital Caring neighborhoods across the MD, VA and the D.C. metropolitan region. At Capital Caring, we provide one-on-one counseling sessions, support groups and special bereavement programs to not only help our Capital Caring families, but to assist anyone in the community who is struggling with loss.  Each Capital Caring neighborhood offers different styles of bereavement programs with the goal of connecting individuals with others who have also suffered a loss in safe and supportive environment.

Point of Hope children’s bereavement camp held annually in each of the 10 Capital Caring neighborhoods.  While each Point of Hope Camp varies in its offerings, the goal is to allow children of all ages to engage in traditional camp activities while learning healthy ways to express and cope with their grief and connect with other children who have experienced a loss. Point of Hope Camps are staffed by Capital Caring bereavement staff, including experienced grief counselors, as well as art and music therapists, and trained volunteers.Capital Caring Children and Teen Bereavement Programs in the Capital Caring Fredericksburg Neighborhood:Point of Hope Camps are grief camps held throughout the year for children of all ages who have lost a close family member. The goal is to allow children to engage in traditional camp activities while learning healthy ways to express and cope with their grief and connect with other children who have experienced a loss. Caring Circles are 6-week grief support groups for students in surrounding county schools. Caring Circles are designed to be a fun and safe environment for students to explore and share their grief, alongside peers, in the familiarity of their own school.Family Caring Circles are for parents/guardians and their children to connect with other families who are grieving. Families come together for a meal and a group activity so they know they are not alone. These meetings are held quarterly at the Fredericksburg United Methodist Church located at 308 Hanover Street in downtown Fredericksburg.Our Caring Zone pet therapy program volunteers are made up of teens from local high schools who attend our pet therapy sessions alongside grieving children.  They meet quarterly to read books and play games with the children while therapy dogs offer their comfort.

For more information about Fredericksburg bereavement services for children and teens, please contact Tara Hoit at thoit@capitalcaring.org or 540-295-7223.

Capital Caring Bereavement Programs Offer Participants:

• Emotional and physical support in a safe and non-judgmental environment.

• Support and understanding from others who have experienced a similar loss; offering understanding and compassion.
• The opportunity to begin the healing process through sharing their own story and hearing the stories of others.
• Coping skills to help them through the most difficult days of their grief journey.
• Hope through companionship with people who “get it” and understand first-hand what they’re going through.
• The opportunity to discover new traditions and ideas to keep loved ones present in their hearts and memories.
• Increased understanding of how children and other family members react to loss. We give families tools for how to communicate with each other about the death. We offer suggestions for keeping lines of communication open for meaningful connection and support.