The Willow Center - a Safe Space

The Willow Center is a children’s bereavement support program, providing peer support groups for children and teens (ages 3-18 yrs.) grieving the death of someone close to them.  We also extend supportive services, grief resources and education to families, care givers and the community – all free of charge.  Willow Center provides a safe place for children and their families to cope with the death of a loved one, and an environment in which to share their grief with others who have had a similar loss. 


By utilizing the support group model and having program activities that focus on the bereavement needs of kids and families, there is a decrease in feelings of isolation and the grief experience is normalized.  Our groups are open-ended and meet twice a month, year round.  The Willow Center is also host to Camp Erin, a weekend, overnight camp, for kids ages 6-17, who have experienced the death of someone close to them.  It is a weekend long experience filled with traditional camp activities combined with grief education and emotional support.  All of what we do is aimed at providing help, hope and healing, thus preventing the problems associated with unresolved grief.

 
Volunteer Opportunities:

Yes!  The Willow Center program relies on trained volunteers to facilitate the peer support groups and to companion our participants on their grief journey.  No experience is necessary; our volunteers are from all walks of life and just have a heart for children and the mission of the Willow Center.  We also rely on various community professionals to volunteer their time to provide family intake assessments and program leadership and training for volunteers.  All volunteers complete 23 hours of training, and undergo a full background/reference check.   We ask that volunteers commit to one year of service following completion of the training.  Volunteers are also necessary (needed, wanted and loved!) for Camp Erin.  Volunteers complete training that is appropriate for their task related to camp involvement, as well as a full background/reference check. 

Wish List:

• Scrapbook items: paper, embellishments, stickers, etc…
  
• Various markers (washable), paper, colored pencils, etc…
  
• Outdoor activities: bubbles, stomp rockets, games, etc…
  
• Board games 
  
• Magazines, poster board, glue
  
• Roll of very large butcher type paper (3 ft. wide or more)
  
• Puppets
  
• Dramatic play clothes, dress up clothes 
  

Contact Information:

Judy Rooney, Executive Director
ed@willow-center.org   
(208) 669-0730 or (208) 791-7192

www.willow-center.org

P.O. Box 1361, Lewiston, ID  83501