What is RAINBOWS? RAINBOWS is not counseling or therapy, but what Rainbows is, is a weekly support group for children who have had a significant loss or change in their lives such as death, divorce, remarriage or incarceration of a parent/caregiver. Through peer support, children move through these difficult changes so that they can get on with being a kid again. All sharing is kept confidential. Who Can Participate? Any child who is Kindergarten through 5th grade. How Does RAINBOWS Work? Children are grouped according to grade level in a small group of no more than 6 children. A caring, adult facilitator who has been trained through the International RAINBOWS program leads each support group. The children will learn to sort through their feelings. They can then come to a form of acceptance of the changes in their families and continue to live a productive life. What Do The Children Discuss?
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Various topics are discussed, including God, self, trust, anger and family. RAINBOWS focuses on helping the children work through 5 stages of grief that accompany significant loss or change: 1. Denial: A period of rejecting or not believing what is taking place. 2. Anger: A negative and painful feeling over what is happening.
3. Bargaining: An attempt to exchange something we are willing to do or give up for something we want to keep. 4. Depression: The feeling of being unable to cope or loss of interest in daily life. 5. Acceptance: Learning to live with the change or loss.
When Does RAINBOWS Meet? Each group will meet once a week for twelve (12) weeks. All sessions meet at 7 p.m. on a weekday selected by participants (excluding Tuesday s). All meetings will take place at New Birth Cathedral in the West Wing. Whom Do I Call For More Information? Contact: Minister Lisa Edwards ledwards@newbirth.org How Do I Register? ledwardsnewbirth.org or at www.wearenext.info