Companions On A Journey Grief Support Inc

TO PROVIDE ONGOING SUPPORT AND LIFE BALANCE FOR THE BEREAVED IN FAMILIES, SCHOOLS, BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS WITH FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE; ONE CHILD, ONE ADULT, ONE FAMILY AT A TIME.

SCHOOL-BASED GRIEF SUPPORT PROGRAM FOR K-12: COJ'S SCHOOL-BASED GRIEF SUPPORT PROGRAM HELPS TRANSFORM SCHOOLS INTO GRIEF-INFORMED SPACES WHERE STUDENTS CAN PROCESS COMPLICATED FEELINGS OF GRIEF AND LOSS, CONNECT WITH A CARING COMMUNITY, AND BUILD A TOOLBOX OF CRITICAL WELLNESS AND RESILIENCY SKILLS. IN 2023 COJ PARTNERED WITH 67 PUBLIC, PRIVATE, AND PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS FACILITATING 100 SCHOOL GROUPS, AND ALSO PROVIDED CONSULTATION AND EDUCATION FOR STAFF AND CAREGIVERS. COJ PROVIDED CRISIS RESPONSE IN 5 SCHOOLS, SUPPORTING 66 STUDENTS AND STAFF. IN ADDITION, COJ WORKS ALONGSIDE ADMINISTRATORS AND COUNSELORS TO BUILD A GRIEF-SENSITIVE CULTURE WHERE BEREAVED STUDENTS AND STAFF FEEL LOVED, ACCEPTED, AND SUPPORTED. MONTHLY SCHOOL-BASED GROUPS ARE CO-FACILITATED BY A COJ BEREAVEMENT SPECIALIST AND THE SCHOOL COUNSELOR. THEY ARE SUPPORTED BY COJ SOCIAL WORK INTERNS THAT PROVIDE ADDED MENTORSHIP FOR STUDENT SUPPORT.

COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND TRAINING: COJ PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL TRAINING THROUGH IN-PERSON WORKSHOPS AND ONLINE WEBINARS TO PROFESSIONALS AND OTHER GROUPS. WE PROVIDE MEANINGFUL AND ENGAGING LEARNING EXPERIENCES TO INCREASE AWARENESS AND SKILLS TO SUPPORT CHILDREN, TEENS, ADULTS, AND FAMILIES THROUGH GRIEF AND LOSS. IN 2023, COJ GAVE 13 PRESENTATIONS WITH 1,295 INDIVIDUALS IN ATTENDANCE.

FAMILY AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS: INCLUDE "MENDING HEARTS FOR GRIEVING FAMILIES," A MONTHLY PROGRAM FOR GRIEVING CHILDREN, TEENS AND FAMILIES, AS WELL AS "PATHWAY TO HEALING" EVENTS AND FAMILY SUPPORT GROUPS. THESE PROGRAMS AND EVENTS SEEK TO RESTORE FAMILY BALANCE--ONE CHILD, ONE TEEN, AND ONE FAMILY AT A TIME. COJ BELIEVES A FAMILY THAT GRIEVES TOGETHER, HEALS TOGETHER. WE ENGAGE IN ACTIVITIES AND CONVERSATIONS THAT ALLOW NOT ONLY INDIVIDUAL FAMILY MEMBERS TO EXPERIENCE HEALING, BUT THE ENTIRE FAMILY. PROGRAMS OFFER A SAFE AND NURTURING ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL AGES TO HONOR LOVED ONES, STRENGTHEN FAMILY BONDS, AND FIND HOPE. IN 2023, COJ'S MENDING HEARTS FAMILIES MET FOR 9 SESSIONS AND 2 PATHWAY TO HEALING EVENTS SERVED 119 CHILDREN, TEENS, ADULTS AND FAMILIES.

ADULT SUPPORT PROGRAMS: COJ APPROACHES BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT HOLISTICALLY THROUGH INTERACTIVE, HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES AND CONVERSATIONS WHERE ADULTS FIND CONNECTION AND ARE GIFTED WITH THE SPACE TO PROCESS AND SHARE FEELINGS AS THEY ARE READY. IN ADDITION TO MONTHLY AND BI-MONTHLY GROUP SESSIONS, COJ'S ADULT PROGRAMMING OFFERS PRINTED AND DIGITAL EDUCATION RESOURCES AND TAILORED ACTIVITIES FOR BEREAVED ADULTS. IN 2023, 184 ADULTS WERE SERVED IN COJ'S ADULT GROUPS.