The Kids’ Place began as a community-based, independent, non-profit charity devoted to providing grief support services to children, ages four through teens, who are mourning the death of a family member or friend.

In the summer of 2004, the Edmond Church of Christ took on the leadership of The Kids’ Place in Edmond with the purpose of continuing the effective work of grief support.  Under the oversight of the Edmond Church of Christ, The Kids’ Place provides local grief support services to children, ages four through teens, who are mourning the death of a family member or friend.  The Kids' Place ministry is a faith-based program that strives to offer comfort, hope and peace found only in Jesus Christ.

Each fall and spring, we conduct three support groups at The Kids’ Place in Edmond.  Each group, which meets on a different evening (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday), is divided into age-appropriate small groups so children can have maximum care and support.  There are concurrent groups for their adult family members each night. 

With the involvement of many caring volunteers and the support and prayers of so many, we provide services to about 50 families, representing over 150 individuals, throughout each year.  Our goal is to provide a safe place to grieve and to be a loving companion for children and families on their grief journeys.

The Kids’ Place is a support group center, not a counseling center. To create a safe and supportive environment for those who grieve, our support groups do not allow drop-ins. Grieving families can call us at (405) 341-3353 or (405) 844-KIDS to request an application packet and to sign up to attend an orientation meeting.

What will children get from The Kids’ Place?

·    A Safe Place – Children in grief need a place they can go where it’s okay to be themselves.  At The Kids’ Place, they can laugh or cry, play or vent anger – without feeling pressure to “get over it” or “straighten up.”

·    Safe People – Trained, caring group facilitators serve as companions as kids walk through their grief.  The volunteer staff of The Kids’ Place is there to guide and nurture, not to teach, direct, or “fix” people.  Each facilitator has undergone extensive training, including background investigations for any criminal or sex offender history.

·    Understanding Peers – One of the benefits of a grief center for children is the regular association with other children who have experienced the death of someone important to them.  Children helping children is a key element at The Kids’ Place.

·    Opportunities to Play – Grieving adults aren’t always easy for children to be around.  Children can’t handle the sadness and pain for long periods of time.  The Kids’ Place gives them opportunities to play – to be kids again.

·    Opportunities to Remember – No one wants to forget a loved one as time passes.  Activities and times of sharing at The Kids’ Place allow children to share their memories and create tangible items that will help them remember.

·    Validation of Experiences and Feelings – It’s easy to feel like we are “going crazy” as we wade through our grief.  The support groups at The Kids’ Place allow experiences and feelings to be expressed and validated in a non-threatening setting of acceptance.

·    Listening Ears That Promote Healing – Genuine listening is therapeutic – it helps us heal.  Children don’t care how much we know; they want to know how much we care!  Listening ears are always available at The Kids’ Place.

·   Lots of Affirmation – Grieving children often feel that the people in their world are pulling away from them.  They need the reassurance that they are okay, that they are still loved.  At The Kids’ Place, affirmations are plentiful – and free!

If you are the caregiver of a child who has lost a loved one, and he/she needs a companion on the grief journey, or to request more information or an application packet, please call 844-KIDS (5437) or 341-3353 or email The Kids' Place.

ARTICLES:

"The Grieving Student"