art from the heart

It's been said a picture isworth a thousand words. Whenit comes to grieving children, it'sworth even more.

Art can be a window intothe inner world of childrentoo young or withdrawn tofind the words that adequatelyexpresses their grief over theloss of a loved one. Janelle Goh,a medical social worker withHoffmann Hospice, said art is amedium through which grievingchildren may create their way toemotional healing.

"Art helps children processfeelings of loss and trauma,"Goh said. "The great thing is,when it comes to art, there areno mistakes."

With healing in ll1ind,Hoffmann introduced Heart

Hoffmann counselor Vttnessa Armendariz

visits with Isai Castillo during

Children's Grief Support group.

Art to its weekly Children's Grief Supportgroup. Children and teens who attend thegroup are given a variety of art supplies andencouraged to share their grief, anger orother emotions through creative expression.Goh said the groups give children a safe placein which to share their feelings and to meetother children who have experienced a loss

The camp will beheld at Hoffmann'sBakersfield office onBrimhall Road. Theart created at the campwill be on displayed atRusso's Bookstore inThe Marketplace inJanuary.

Emily Dye helps brother Jake with a painting.

like their own."Children who have lost a loved one

often feel alone and isolated," she said."When they hear other kids talking abourthose same feelings, they realize they're notso different and not so alone."

Because children often say more throughart than they are able to articulate, theprojects produced by the group are telling,Goh said. Works in progress are carefullystored, completed projects are treated withreverance. The children, particularly thoseless inclined to chat, eagerly embrace eachnew project.

Inspired by the group's response,Hoffmann will host its first annual HeartArt Camp for children and teens ages 7 to 14,from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, December2l.

The camp will give more local childrenthe opportunity to discover the therapeuticvalue of art, Goh said.

"It's just a visual way of helping kidsunderstand what they're feeling," she said."It's also a good way to communicate thosefeelings to parents."

Miranda Sanchez shows

off her handiwork.

Heart Art Camp

Open to children and teens ages 7 to14 who have experienced the loss of

a loved one.

Hoffmann Hospice8502 Brimhall Rd., Bldg. 100

Bakersfield, CA

Tuesday, December 29 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Art materials and lunch are provided.There is no cost to attend, but

seating is limited, so reservations arrequired. For more information or tomake a reservation, call 410-1010.

Hoffmann Hospice gratefully acknowledges The Bakersfield Californian for the distribution of this publication in

im~!tIttkttjfitlb lalifornianHOFFMANN HOSPICE

8501 BRIMHALL ROAD· BLDG. 100 • BAKERSFIELD· CALIFORNIA· 93312 • PHONE (661) 410-1010 • FAX (661) 410-1110