"Any child old enough to love is old enough to grieve." – Alan Wolfelt
What Is The Caring Tree Program Of Big Bend Hospice?
The Caring Tree was created in 1995 as a community outreach of Big Bend Hospice. The program is designed to meet the unique needs of grieving children and teens. The Caring Tree creates safe, therapeutic, and age-appropriate environments in which young people and the adults around them can learn to understand and cope with loss. The Caring Tree combines short and long term services to provide comprehensive opportunities for healing and education.
"I felt comfortable at the Caring Tree after my loved one died. I know I was not alone and that there were people who understood where I was coming from."
–Caring Tree Teen
Caring Tree Services
For Children (Ages 6-12)
- Children's and Juniors' Nights: Monthly grief support sessions at Big Bend Hospice for children ages 6-12 who have lost a loved one.
- Grief Support Groups: 6-8 week grief support sessions provided at area schools and community agencies.
- Camp Woe-Be-Gone: Annual one-day bereavement camp for children ages 6-12.
For Teens (Ages 13-18)
- Teen Nights: Monthly grief support sessions at Big Bend Hospice for teens who have experienced the death of a loved one.
- Grief Support Groups: 6-8 week grief support sessions provided at area schools and community agencies.
- Teen Woe-Be-Gone: Annual grief retreat held each fall for teens that have experienced the death of a loved one.
- Grief 101 Presentations: Educational presentations to teens at area schools and community agencies.
- Teen suicide prevention presentations to teens at area schools and community agencies.
Caring Tree Services For Adults
For Parents, Guardians, Educators, and Other Professionals
- Consultation, Networking, and Referral related to grief and youth.
- Speaker's bureau, workshops and trainings including grief and youth, suicide prevention and related topics.
- Children's night support sessions.
- Crisis Support (as resources allow): Qualified Caring Tree counselors can provide crisis consultation and/or on-site support, as well as crisis resource materials and activities.
All Caring Tree services are provided by professional counselors with a Master's Degree or above in Social Work, Mental Health, or related fields.
Who Can Benefit From The Caring Tree?
- Any child or teen that has experienced the anticipated or sudden death of a loved one.
- Any adults who are interested in educating or helping grieving children and teens.
Who Do I contact for More Information?
The Caring Tree Program Coordinator of Big Bend Hospice at (850) 878-5310 or (800) 772-5862 or email the Caring Tree at caringtree2@bigbendhospice.org
