Emilio Parga: Helping kids grieve by creating memories

Written by  Facing Cancer Together
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"Though a life has ended, it won't really end depending how person is celebrated and remembered." Emilio Parga, MA, is the Founder & Executive Director of The Solace Tree in Reno, Nevada, a grief and loss center for children, teens and families.

fct_child_grief_hi-resAn important part of what they do at The Solace Tree is "helping kids create memories so there isn't unresolved grief."  

In 2002, Emilio Parga discovered that he had cancer. At the time, he was also assisting students who had lost parents to suicide, accidental death and cancer. In his attempt to provide these children with emotional support, he realized that many kids and teenagers in Northern Nevada had lost a parent, sibling or caregiver throughout the year, and that there were no grief support programs for them. That’s when Emilio created the Solace Tree in 2004.

The mission ofThe Solace Tree is that all children, teens and their family members have the freedom to express their feelings associated with death in a safe and loving environment. The peer support programs and educational opportunities at the Solace Tree help children, teens and their family members to freely express their feelings associated with death in a safe and loving environment. The programs also help them learn to cope and adjust to the changes in their lives.

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In the video below are some highlights from Emilio Parga's presentation at "I'm Here With You: Understanding Children & Grief," a special community forum addressing myths, fears, and questions related to children's grief.  You can watch Emilio's entire presentation here.

You can purchase Emilio's books and journals at The Solace Tree Boookstore.

Do you have questions about children and grief? Please leave a comment below and we'll find the answers for you.

The Solace Tree
P.O. Box 2944
Reno, Nevada 89505

Phone: (775) 324-7723
Email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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