New Song Center

Emotional Rescue

Grieving Children & Families Find Healing at New Song Center

By Lin Sue Flood

When Melissa Alvarado’s oldest daughter, Gloria, died in May, she quickly realized her family needed professional support and to be around others who could fully grasp their pain.

At New Song Center for Grieving Children, they discovered support groups and meaningful activities to help them find healing. Melissa, her husband and their two younger kids were among 150 people at New Song’s recent bereavement event at Steele Indian School Park in Phoenix. “I like being here because these are the only other people who know how we feel,” she said. “And the support groups validate our emotions and feelings.”

New Song is Arizona’s first and largest child and family grief support program. All of the services are provided at no cost. Since combining bereavement programs with Hospice of the Valley in 2009, New Song has served thousands of families, providing: • Support groups for grieving children, teens, young adults and adult caregivers. • Support groups for grandparents, parents and siblings who are grieving the death of a child.

Image courtesy of Hospice of the Valley Callie Carpenter (left), Julie Lazzara and Mark D’Aprile attended New Song Center’s bereavement event at the park in honor of 4-year-old Landon D’Aprile.

• A family support group for Spanishspeaking families. • Pediatric support and counseling for families caring for a child who is medically fragile or has a life-limiting illness. • Day camps for siblings of children living with complex medical needs. • Fun trips to family-friendly places like Butterfly Wonderland or the movies.

“Our mission is to provide comprehensive grief education and support to help families heal after a traumatic loss,” said Lisa Schmitt Betcher, executive director of the nonprofit program. “We recognize that children express

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Image courtesy of Hospice of the Valley Jada Williams and her dad, Ezra, joined other families to remember and celebrate their loved ones.