A Fresh Flower for the Soul

One of our HopeWest Kids grief groups is called Grief’s Garden. This group provides not only a safe space for children to receive support through their grief journey, but also to grow as individuals. “They learned about planting and tending to seeds, plants, and flowers as a way to process and understand their grief,” said Courtney, Director of HopeWest Kids.

The group lasted for six weeks, and through these sessions, plants served as metaphors for their own personal grief journey. During the last group session, the kids cut flowers around the Ferris Care Center with Charlotte, Tanglewood Garden Designer, and created a colorful bouquet. The kids chose the flowers thoughtfully and curated them.

They presented the flowers to Caitlin, Family Support & Volunteer Coordinator at the Ferris Care Center, as a symbol of giving it to the patients and families receiving care. The flowers were placed in a patient room to bring a bit of the outdoors inside.

There is a significance to giving a gift through grief, it is an opportunity for growth among grieving individuals. The goal of HopeWest Kids is to come beside kids and provide support during their grief journey. Through the generosity of our community, we are able to support kids as they navigate difficult emotions and process their grief.

Funded exclusively through donations, our HopeWest Kids program is the only one of its kind on the Western Slope.