Support group planned for children experiencing loss
By Christina Leslie
Correspondent
Children often have difficulty expressing feelings of grief and loss after catastrophic changes such as illness, death or their parents’ divorce. Adult counseling options abound, but assistance for young Catholics rare. To provide more hope during those difficult times, the diocesan Office of Family Life is sponsoring Rainbows, a seven-week guided support group for children, beginning Dec. 20 at the St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral Parish, Metuchen.
The Rainbows counseling model was devised in Chicago by Suzy Yehl Marta in 1983. After her divorce, this mother of three sons realized that her boys were not as resilient as the adults in her support group and looked for a similar counseling situation to ease their transition into a one-parent family unit. Finding no resources in her area, she devised the Rainbows system of counseling, tailored to children from ages five through 12.
In the more than two decades since, the program has expanded to all 50 states and Canada and has helped close to one million children. The organization’s motto, “From Hurt, Through Healing, To Hope” reflects their belief that guided conversation, confidential counseling and peer interaction can lead the children to acceptance of their new family structure.
Vicki Caterino started a chapter of “Rainbows” at St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral Parish three years ago in response to a bulletin insert with statistics about children of divorce. “I organize the separated and divorced group at the Cathedral,” she said, “and when I heard some of the horror stories of what their children went through, I had to do something.”
Caterino, her two grown daughters (both teachers) and two friends who are nurses are the five trained facilitators for the program.
“Some kids think that the divorce or death was caused by what they did and feel anger or despair,” Caterino continued. “They can’t talk about it with their peers, for they worry about ridicule, and their parents are too wrapped up in their own grief to help.”
The program divides children into age groups, and uses activities such as drawing, crafts, games and guided discussion to encourage them to share their feelings about the loved one’s death or desertion.
“Kids love the fact that it is confidential, that they do not have to share what they say in group with their parents,” Caterino said. “They have a ball with it. It’s a great outlet for them.”
The seven-week Rainbows program begins Tuesday, Dec. 20 at 6:15 p.m. in the Cathedral Parish meeting room. There is no cost to the children or their families. For registration or further information, contact Rainbows Coordinator Vicki Caterino at 732-548-3170.
*The attached/referenced article was originally published in The Catholic Spirit, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Metuchen, and is protected under U.S. and international copyright law