“Children’s Grief Awareness Day” Encourages Pennsylvanians To Wear Blue On Thursday, Nov. 19
Highmark Caring Place Aims To Raise Awareness About The Needs Of Grieving Children
November 17, 2009
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Contact: |
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George Yanoshik
717.302.4251
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Pittsburgh — Highmark Caring Place aims to raise awareness about the needs of grieving children
The state Senate has proclaimed Thursday, Nov. 19 as "Children's Grief Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania, and communities will show solidarity by wearing blue to commemorate the day. This second annual event, organized by the Highmark Caring Place, A Center for Grieving Children, Adolescents and Their Families, will focus attention on the impact death has on children and what people can do to help a grieving child.
Children who have had someone die, especially a close family member, can feel the impact of that loss forever. At the Highmark Caring Place, children and adults receive support from others who have also experienced a death and discover that they are not alone in their grief. Part of its mission is to help people understand the impact of death on children and how to help a child who is grieving.
Nearly 100 Pennsylvania schools involved in The Caring Team for Children, an initiative of the Caring Place, are planning a variety of activities to commemorate Children's Grief Awareness Day. Other community groups and organizations are also getting involved.
"Our pledge, 'I am here for you, you are here for me, we are here for each other' will be magnified when we wear blue in support of grieving children," said Caring Place Director Terese Vorsheck. Observances and activities are planned at schools across Pennsylvania.
The Highmark Caring Place provides peer support groups, referral services, adult telephone support and educational programs and resources for grieving children and families in four facilities and online. In addition, consultation services, as well as educational presentations and resources, are available for schools and other professionals in the community who work with children. Caring Place programs and services are offered at no cost. The Caring Place is a signature partner of Highmark Healthy High 5, an initiative of the Highmark Foundation. In addition, the Caring Place is supported by community contributions. The children and families are also supported by trained volunteers from the community.
Pennsylvania Schools Participating in 2009 Children's Grief Awareness Day Activities
In Southwestern, Pa.:
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County |
School |
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Allegheny |
Aiken Elementary School |
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Bradfordwoods Elementary |
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Brentwood Middle/High School |
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Chartiers Valley High School |
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Chartiers Valley Primary School |
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Derry Area Middle School |
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Elizabeth Forward Middle School |
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Gateway High School |
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Marshall Elementary |
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Marzolf Primary School |
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North Hills Junior High School |
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Peebles Elementary |
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Propel Andrew St. |
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Propel East |
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Propel Homestead |
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Propel Montour |
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Reserve Elementary |
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Vincentian Academy |
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Washington Elementary |
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Beaver |
Ambridge Area Senior High School |
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Blackhawk High School |
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Independence Elementary |
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South Side Elementary School |
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South Side Middle School |
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South Side High School |
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State Street Elementary School |
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Bedford |
Bedford High School |
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Butler |
Haine Elementary School |
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Haine Middle School |
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Mars Centennial School |
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Rowan Elementary School |
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Seneca Valley Intermediate High School |
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Seneca Valley Middle School |
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Fayette |
Laurel Highlands High School |
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Laurel Highlands SD |
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Mercer |
Delahunty Middle School |
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Farrell Area Elementary |
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Farrell Area SD |
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Washington |
Charleroi Area Middle School |
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Westmoreland |
J. H. Metzgar Elementary |
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Laural Valley Elementary |
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Trafford Middle School |
In Northwestern Pa.:
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County |
School |
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Crawford |
Conneaut School District |
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Meadville Area Middle School |
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Meadville Area Senior High School |
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Erie |
Blessed Sacrament School |
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Diehl Elementary School |
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Edison Elementary School |
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Elk Valley Elementary School |
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Erie Day School |
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Fairview Elementary School |
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Fairview High School |
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General McLane High School |
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Harding Elementary School |
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Holy Family School |
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James W. Parker Middle School |
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Jefferson Elementay School |
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JoAnna Connell Elementay School |
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Luther Memorial Learning Center |
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McDowell Intermediate High School |
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McDowell Senior High School |
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McKinley Elementary School |
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Mercyhurst Preparatory School |
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Northwestern High School |
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Northwestern Middle School |
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Our Lady of Mount Carmel School |
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Our Lady of Peace School |
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Perseus House Charter School of Excellence, Maritime Center |
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Pfeiffer-Burleigh Elementary School |
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Roosevelt Middle School |
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St. John Holy Rosary School |
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St. Luke School |
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Tracy Elementary School |
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Walnut Creek Middle School |
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Venango |
Franklin Area School District |
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Titusville Area Middle School |
In Central Pa.:
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County |
School |
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Cumberland |
Big Spring High School |
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Camp Hill High School |
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Cedar Cliff High School |
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Cumberland Valley High School |
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East Pennsboro Elementary |
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East Pennsboro Middle School |
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East Pennsboro Highle School |
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Hampden Elementary |
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Harrisburg Academy |
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Lemoyne Middle School |
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Shaull Elementary |
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Red Land High School |
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Dauphin |
CD East Middle School |
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Central Dauphin High School |
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Conewago Elementary |
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East Hanover Elementary |
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Hamilton Elementary |
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Harrisburg High School |
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Iron Forge Educational Center |
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Lawnton Elementary |
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Lower Dauphin High School |
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Mountain View Elementary |
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North Side Elementary |
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Nye Elementary |
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Paxtonia Elementary |
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Rowland School |
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SciTech High School |
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Scott School |
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South Hanover Elementary |
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Steelton-Highspire Elementary |
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Susquehanna Township Middle |
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Thomas J. Holtzman Elementary |
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Tri-Community Elementary |
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Perry |
Susquenita Middle School |
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Susquenita High School |
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West Perry High School |
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York |
Red Land High School |
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York Catholic |
Resources available through the Caring Place for grieving children and families can be accessed by contacting one of the four facilities in Pittsburgh, Erie, Lemoyne and Warrendale, Pa. For more information about the Caring Place, call 1-866-613-HOPE (4673).
