Losing someone dear can be the most difficult experience of a lifetime

By: Papillion, the Center for Loss and Transition
 
Nov. 29, 2014 - PRLog -- Losing someone dear can be the most difficult experience of a lifetime, and those suffering grief need support and guidance to heal and restore resilience.

MONTEREY, CA  (November 2014)  Papillion, the Center for Loss and Transition, is a one-of-a-kind not-for-profit organization in Monterey, dedicated to providing high quality, comprehensive professional services to those experiencing loss and bereavement. It is this new organization’s goal to help create healthier families and healthier communities through creating a loving fellowship surrounding those who are suffering.

The name Papillion is French for “butterfly,” which is significant because the metamorphosis of the winged insects is symbolic to the stages of grief.

In our society, grieving is not always culturally acceptable and we are not taught how to grieve. Recognizing that each person's path through grief is unique, Papillion strives to individualize services and programs to meet the broad spectrum of needs and the timing of recovery.

Bereavement programs are offered at no cost to individuals, families and especially children, who experience grief reactions even before they have words to describe their feelings. It is known that children who are supported in their grief learn valuable skills that can sustain them as they grow and develop.

Toward that end, Papillion has developed Good Grief for Kids and Teens, a free, age-based psycho-education program designed to let children know they are not alone, to give their grief a voice through play, art and storytelling and to support the adults who care for them. Therapists with expertise and experience in childhood grief lead the sessions (a current session concludes Dec. 8, 2014, followed by another beginning Feb. 2, 2015).

Other bereavement programs include: Drop-in Bereavement Discussion Group (http://www.papillon-center.org/programs/drop-in-bereaveme...); Riding the Waves of Grief: How do I do this? (http://www.papillon-center.org/programs/riding-the-waves-...); and Loss of a Child Grief Support Group (http://www.papillon-center.org/programs/loss-of-a-child-g...). Services that will be added in 2015 include: Pet Bereavement Services; Kids Camp; Anticipatory Grief Support Group; and Stillborn and Miscarriage Death.

Papillion’s services focus not only on the immediate grief, but they revisit those in need at different stages of the grieving process. In short, Papillion is always present as a community touchstone.

In the coming months and years, Papillion hopes to expand its program, and eventually move into a house complete with a kitchen, a dining room and a central communal space. Negotiating grief in the presence of food and fellowship will be an important element at Papillion — and teaching suddenly single grievers how to cook meals for one will also be a future focus.

Papillion’s key staff members include Helen Grady MA, MFT, MBA
Board Member and Facilitator. Grady is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Master Executive and Life Coach. In practice since 1995, she has expertise in grief and loss, life transitions, parenting issues, stress management, crisis intervention and communication skills. She originally created and implemented Good Grief for Kids, a children's bereavement program, for Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula. In 2011, Grady’s husband died of cancer, so she brings to Papillion her personal experience and a compassionate presence.

Joy Smith (RN, MSN
Board Member and Facilitator) is an Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist with 35 years of experience educating and coaching people with cancer and their families.  Most recently, she has worked as the Oncology Nurse Educator at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula and was instrumental in establishing the Palliative Medicine Service in addition to Cancer Center professional and patient programs.

Smith brings to Papillion her commitment and expertise in providing high quality comprehensive services and educational programs regarding loss and bereavement.

Linda A. Wight MS Board Member joined California State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB) in 1994 as part of the team dedicated to creating one of the first base conversion projects for the former Fort Ord.  She retired in 2012 as Associate Vice President of Human Resources at CSUMB.

Since 2007, Linda has been the primary caregiver for her husband Randy who is disabled from injury.  Linda and Randy are involved with the Canine Companions for Independence campus in Santa Rosa, CA where Randy received a service dog named Neo.

Linda, Randy and Neo bring to Papillon Linda's expertise with non-profit organizations and their own personal experience of loss through disability.

PAPILLON CENTER FOR LOSS & TRANSITION
P.O. Box 4075  •  Monterey, CA 93942
(831) 320-1188
papillon@papillon-center.org

End
Source:Papillion, the Center for Loss and Transition
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