Cookie Monster and Soft Tummies
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SPRING 2013 A Newsletter to the Community from The Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas
Cookie Monster and Soft Tummies
Curtis Ruder and his daughter Katie About six months after I turned 30,
first started coming to the Children’s Becky also turned 30. But she didn’t receive
Bereavement Center of South Texas’ a Cookie Monster for her birthday...she
(CBCST) grief support groups after his first got lung cancer. As much as I would love
wife, Becky, died of lung cancer. Curtis and to tell you that ours is a story of rising
Katie participated in the support group above adversity to accomplish everything
designed for children and their caregivers we wanted, that is not how the story goes.
who have experienced a death from a long- We battled cancer with everything we had,
term illness. Their time here at the CBCST and a year and a half later she died. Katie
has given Katie great strength, and a and I were alone.
profound ability to empathize with others For the first several months, I thought
around her and in her community. Katie things were going okay. Sure, it was difficult,
understands how important community as much as anything before or since has
(TOP) Curtis Ruder and his daughter, Katie.
is to one’s grief journey, and how being ever challenged us. But after a while, Katie (BOTTOM) Katie
able to share experiences with others who started doing some things that made it clear
have had similar experiences helps to that we needed help. Katie has always been and children grieve differently. When
normalize feelings. As the years have gone a very smart and perceptive child and she adults are facing stressful events like grief,
by, Curtis and Katie have been able to keep could tell that our family was different… we have thousands of thoughts and words
their lines of communication open, and In a word, the Bereavement Center running through our heads, and that stress
have continued to talk about their grief. normalized the experience for us. The manifests itself as headaches. But children,
Since attending group, Curtis and Katie Bereavement Center gave Katie an though they have all the same feelings we
have continued their involvement at the opportunity to be around other children have, don’t have all of our words yet, and so
Center, and they continue to give back to her age who knew words like “chemo- what we might feel as headaches, they might
the community which gave them so much. therapy,” words that we wish no children feel as tummy aches. Katie said something
Curtis is an active Potluck Partner, and would ever have to know. The Bereavement that has stuck with me. “I like coming here,
is now a grief support group facilitator. Center gave me the opportunity to sit in a Daddy. I have a soft tummy here.” What
The following is a portion of the speech room full of other parents and say, “You Katie was telling me is that when she came
that Curtis delivered at the CBCST’s 12th wouldn’t believe what my daughter did at to the Bereavement Center, she was able to
Annual Hearts in Harmony Gala, entitled HEB last weekend!” But they did believe, let go of her stress. The Bereavement Center
“Cookie Monster and Soft Tummies”: because their kids were doing the same also helped us transition when I met and
I received a Cookie Monster toy for things. Most of all, at a time in our lives married my second once-in-a-lifetime
my 30th birthday…Katie and my first when everything felt uncertain, unknown, love, Kim. It truly was a place of grace and
wife Becky were at Target picking up a and untrustworthy, the Bereavement healing for our family during our toughest
card, and she saw the Cookie Monster and Center gave us a place where we felt safe. days…Thank you.”
thought of me. This is my favorite gift. I’ve learned over the years how adults
Our Mission
To foster healing for grieving youth, their families and the community through
peer support programs, counseling, training, education and outreach.
The Children’s
Bereavement Center of South Texas
Linking hearts, mending spirits, transforming lives.Heart Strings is the community newsletter for the friends and families of
The Children’s Bereavement
Message From CBCST
Center of South Texas Chairman of the Board
205 West Olmos Drive, San Antonio, Texas 78212
Phone: (210) 736-4847 Fax: (210) 832-8919 The Bereavement Center is so much more than a place
www.cbcst.org where grieving children come to heal. This mission
changes lives. As the only provider in South Texas of
grief support programs for children and young adults,
Advisory Board we believe that each person’s journey through grief
Janie & Jim Worth Susan & Bill Paula Loring is unique, and therefore deserves a unique approach to healing. Our goal
Chairmen Galbreath is to help children and their caregivers understand the depth of their grief,
Ann & John E.
Don Anderson Kathleen & Newman, Jr. stabilize and preserve family relationships, and develop healthy coping skills
Patricia Shield Curtis Gunn
Laura & Jack that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.
Ayres Almeda & Ed
Hodge III Richmond 97% of our support comes from the private sector, and so it is with deep
Margaret Berton,
Ph.D. Julianna Hawn Holt & Anne & Paul H. Smith gratitude that I say thank you to all our supporters. We appreciate each and
Peter M. Holt Eliza Sonneland
Patricia Bose every one of you, from the bottom of our hearts.
Janet & Boxy
Carolyn Brown Hornberger Jim Spickard, Ph.D. We would also like to say a heartfelt thank you to someone very special,
Sallie & Barry Susan & John Kerr Barbara Wood Traci Burkhart Gomez. Traci has recently stepped down as the Chief
Chasnoff
Ed Kopplow Mertie & Dale Wood Executive Officer, in order to spend more time with her family. Traci came to
Weezie & Mac
Chesney Kitty & Rich Lange Amy & Hal Zesch the Bereavement Center in 2005 at a time of transition, and dedicated eight
years of steadfast service. She has left us a great legacy. Under her tenure,
BoarD OF DIRECTORS the Bereavement Center is financially secure, its million-dollar budget
supported with solid fundraising efforts, and healthy cash reserves. We have
Camille Mandigo Laura Nell Burton Jacqui Peace
Chairman a beautiful new facility in which to serve our clients, and in 2012 alone the
Vanessa Casey Angela Rabke
Chris Rulon Bereavement Center served more than 2,300 individuals! That’s an increase
Vice Chairman Bill Day Mike Smith
of more than 33% over 2011, and well beyond the humble beginnings when
Penny Viteo Rose Mary Fry Sally Sohn
Secretary the Bereavement Center was founded 16 years ago.
Linda Fugit Pam Thomas
Ronald Weiss Today the Bereavement Center is in another time of transition. The
Jennifer Kelley Buzz Wagner
Treasurer Governing Board is moving forward confidently with a search for the next
Nancy Martin Ty West
F. Michael Wood, Jr. generation of Bereavement Center leadership. And as we look to the future,
Past Chairman David Navarro Frank Zoch
we humbly ask for your continued support and encouragement for even
greater days ahead!
FRIENDS FORUM — 2013 GALA COMMITTEE
Day Smith — Hearts in Harmony Gala Chair
Laura Nell Burton — Hearts in Harmony Gala Underwriting Co-Chair
Patty Vela — Hearts in Harmony Gala Live Auction Chair “Reflections on a Life Well Lived”
Ted Burkhart — Hearts in Harmony Gala Treasurer
by Day Smith
Vanessa Casey — Underwriting Co-Chairman
Mallory Ahl — Silent Auction Co-Chairman Ilse Frost Garrett, my very dear friend, had a deep affection for family, friends
Sarah Anderson — Silent Auction Co-Chairman and nature. She lived to laugh and loved life to the fullest. She was willing to
Katy Corrigan — Silent Auction Co-Chairman do anything for those she loved, and helping others gave her great pleasure.
Stacy Smaistrla — Silent Auction Co-Chairman She was always rescuing animals, taking food to those who needed it, and was
there to listen when anyone had a problem. When her mother passed away, she
The Children’s Bereavement Center Staff asked me what the Bereavement Center needed. She knew how important the
BLAIR THOMPSON — Interim Chief Operations Office mission was to me, and of course, she wanted to help. She had such a generous
Michelle Palmer, LPC-S — Director of Programs heart. At that time, we were collecting art supplies. Since her mother loved to
Julia Anderson, M. Ed. — Director of Volunteer Services paint, it was so appropriate that she filled her Ford Expedition with all sorts of
Morgan Fenoglio, LPC Intern — Program & Education Coordinator art supplies and dropped them off at the Bereavement Center! Little did I know
Franchesca Velten — Community Relations Coordinator at that time what an extraordinary gift would later come to us from Ilse.
TAMMY COCHRAN, M. ED., LPC — Outreach Coordinator I fondly remember after Fiesta 1974, when Ilse hung up her Fiesta gown,
Maria Rodriguez — Customer Service Specialist put on her motorcycle boots, and found her true passion: a Harley Davidson
and the open road! Tragically, our beautiful and extraordinary Ilse was killed in
a motorcycle accident, although doing exactly what she loved. After her death,
The Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas and its programs are we learned of her generous bequest to the Bereavement Center, a tremendous
supported solely through the contributions of participating families, individuals,
gift that will make a tremendous impact on advancing our mission.
corporations, foundations, religious institutions and the community.
We remember Ilse with heartfelt gratitude and respect, and thank her
We receive no state or federal funding. Donations are
tax-deductible to the limit established by the IRS. for her kind bequest to the CBCST. In her memory, the CBCST would like to
We are a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. dedicate this newsletter to Ilse Frost Garrett.The Twelfth Annual
Seven years ago, a very special group was a financially distressed nonprofit to give time, talent, or treasure, each
formed…the Founding Friends of the organization that was not well known member put their heart into the mission
CBCST Board. Usually the CBCST honors in town, to a flourishing organization – and for that we sincerely thank you!
a single volunteer at our annual Hearts in supported by thousands of friends and Each Founding Friend has stepped up
Harmony Gala, as the Barreras Volunteer neighbors throughout the community. and provided so much support toward
of the Year, but rather than choosing During that time, the CBCST has more the advancement of the CBCST; we
one individual this year, we honored the than doubled the number of grieving celebrate our accomplishments today
entire 2006 Founding Friends Board. It children that we serve! The CBCST, and with acknowledgment of the blood,
was like a family reunion for this group, as all the families we serve, will never be able sweat, and tears they gave throughout our
so many special friendships were formed to thank this group enough for all their journey. From the bottom of our hearts,
when the group first came together. support. The Founding Friends Board and on behalf of all the families in which
As founding members of the was our staff when we had no help, our we serve, THANK YOU!!!
board, each person played a pivotal advisors when we had no counsel…they
role in helping the CBCST grow from were our advocates. Whether choosing
(AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE) Janie Worth (TOP ROW, left TO RIGHT) Maggie and Blair Thompson; Stacy Smaistrla and Rick Shaw; Mike and Susie
Bacon; Claire Duffin, Elizabeth Archer, Sally Hill and Trish Hennessey; Kimberly, Curtis and Katie Ruder (BOTTOM ROW, left TO RIGHT) Kitty
and Rich Lange ; Chris, Almeda and Sarah Hodge; Day and Paxton Smith; Trace and Laura Nell Burton; Katie and Curtis Ruder; Bonnie,
Mike and Kari GilleySpecial Thanks to Our Twelfth Annual
Hearts in Harmony
Gala Sponsors & Donors
PRESENTING Jenifer and Willis Brown / Edie and William Cook Cappy’s / La Fonda on Main Miranda Koerner Saks Fifth Avenue
SPONSOR Almeda and Ed Hodge
Joy S. Potts Carol Hebdon / Kuy Creek Enterprises, LLC San Antonio Children’s
Valero Laura Nell and Trace Burton “Adoorable Wreaths” Museum
/ Jamie and Ty West / Debbie L. Cathey La Fonda Alamo Heights
Jenevieve and Frank Zoch Cheesy Jane’s San Antonio Museum of Art
The Cottage Learning Express
Supporting Mike Smith and Marilyn Cooper’s Meat Market San Antonio Plastic Surgery
Sponsors Harrington J. W. Ferguson Lee Ann Jones Collection Institute / Dr. Michael E.
Katy and Porter Corrigan Decherd
Julianna Hawn Holt & Peter Mrs. Barbara Wood / Mr. Pat and Ken Krueger Lin Marché
and Mrs. F. Michael Wood, Jr. Cowgirl Enterprises SeaWorld San Antonio
M. Holt
Anne McClanahan Susan M. Loyd
Paula Loring David Kauffman Shafer Services
Mr. and Mrs. Michael
Allan T. Meyne Luther King Capital
Gentry / Mr. and Mrs. Paul Dennis Jewelry Company
South Texas Blood and Management / Marsha and Shetler-Wade
Peace
Tissue Center Mrs. Reeves L. Smith David Dowler
Dominion Golf and Silver Eagle Distributors
Spurs Sports and Jenny and Rick Thomas Country Club
Mariquita Masterson
Contributing Entertainment Skin Rejuvenation Clinique
Don Strange of Texas, Inc.
Mr. and Mrs. William Weber MBS Fitness
Sponsors Susan and James Glover Smart Barre San Antonio
Dos Carolinas
Ms. Ann Wells Medlar’s Jewelry
A.P.E. Michael A. Smith
Beth Ann Falcon
Mrs. Harvey Smith My Fit Foods
Carolyn and Charles Brown OUR GENEROUS South Texas Saddlery
Fair Oaks Golf
Frost Bank
UNDERWRITERS Karen and Brad Cox and Country Club Nagle’s Gun Shop
Erin Spalten
Robert & Kathey Linda McDavitt Five Broads Off Broadway Natural Bridge Wildlife
Hornberger Sheehan Fuller St. Anthony Riverwalk
Anderson Foundation Ranch
Beiter Wittenberg and Wyndham Hotel
Garza Incorporated Mrs. Orvis Meador, Jr. For the Love of Bertie
Gary Woods Erika and David Navarro
Betty Radwin Dr. and Mrs. James Gilley Stacy and Clayton Smaistrla
Hurley Funeral Home John Newman Family Neiman Marcus Stella and Dot
Charitable Fund Susan Keehn Ginna Crocker / Good Gifts
Janie and Jim Worth by Christina Welch
Noelle Palm
Louise Womack Gold Tender
Jefferson Bank Sugarplum Dreams
Tom Oliver
Kay and Tim Watt
Pruyn Hildebrand SILENT & LIVE Gold’s Gym
Sunset Ridge
AUCTION DONORS Olympia Gymnastics and
Home & Hardware
Blair B. Perry Grape Creek Vineyards
Kitty and Rich Lange Cheerleading
Academy Sports + Outdoors
Ann Griffith Ash Grey Moss Inn SWBC Mortgage
Langley & Banack, Inc. Order Up
and John W. Petry Americus Diamond
The James L. Donnell Gruene Hall, Carolyn Tolar
Family Otra Vez
Moses Family Isabelle and Ed Badouh Texas’ Oldest Dancehall
The Impeccable Pig
Zachry Holdings, Inc. Pajarito Tree Farm
NuStar Energy L.P. Bambino’s Hanley-Wood
The Pool in Alamo Heights
Mark J. Spansel Micah Harper Paloma Blanca
Papa John’s Pizza Basil Scaljon Rugs The Wagmore Pet Resort
Langley & Banack, Inc. Hideout on the Horseshoe Paloma Pachanga
South Texas Money Baxter Design Group The Wash Tub
Management Uhl, Fitzsimons & Julianna Hawn Holt and Penny Lane
Jewett, PLLC Belles & Beaux Children’s Peter M. Holt F. Michael Wood III
Southwest Home Boutique Perry’s Restaurants
Health Care Alison and James Barrow Hotel Valencia Riverwalk The Woodhouse Day Spa
Betty Esquivel, L.M.T. Pigtails & Crewcuts
The Porter Loring Family Lou and Lee Schaufele Jennifer Jennings Images Trinity Flowers by Danny
Biga on the Banks Piranha Killer Sushi Cuellar
Dr. and Mrs. William P. Julian Gold
GROUP SPONSORS Fitch III Bolner’s Fiesta Products, Inc. Polka Dot Parties USAA Buying Services
Kendra Scott Designs
Sallie and Barry Chasnoff Douglas and Judith McNeel Boudro’s Texas Bistro Porter Corrigan Meg and Justin Walker
Kiddie Park
Dr. and Mrs. James Gilley Richard and Carol McPike Briggs Ranch Elizabeth Reblin Witte Museum
Kiolbassa Provision
Dr. and Mrs. Paxton Smith Mary E. Reynolds Cakes by Cathy Young Company Robert Shaw Portraits YETI Coolers
Special Thanks to Thank You to Our 2006
Our In-Kind Sponsors Founding Friends Board
AV Source Betsy Baker Kristina Fentress Paula Loring
Elegant Notions Rita Brogdon Mary Beth Fisk Camille Mandigo
Gabriel’s / Weston Stone Carolyn Brown Linda Fugit
Angela Rabke
Lee Ann Hendry
Jenifer Brown Bonnie Gilley
Quadrangle Press Barbara Sano
Ted Burkhart Almeda Hodge
The Rose Shop
Diane Thrush
Robert Shaw Portraits Weetia Burkhart Darwin Huartson
Sallie Chasnoff Kitty Lange Joan Wolff
South Texas Jazz
Texas Creative Mac Chesney Anne Ledet Janie WorthKronkosky Match to Kick Off 2013 Friends of the CBCST Annual
Support Campaign
Thanks to the dedicated efforts of our Campaign with a $50,000 challenge but also financially by medical, legal
CBCST staff, board members, clients, match from the Kronkosky Charitable and funeral costs. Gifts to the Friends of
parents and friends, we are thrilled to Foundation. Every dollar donated from the CBCST Annual Support Campaign
announce we exceeded our 2012 Friends new and lapsed donors will be matched, help ensure that every grieving child and
of the CBCST Annual Support Campaign dollar for dollar, up to $50,000 – therefore their caregiver(s) can participate in peer
goal! One-hundred percent of the funds doubling the value of your gift! The match support group programs at the CBCST
raised will go to provide FREE grief support provided by Kronkosky is currently under free of charge.
for the children we serve. Our campaign way, and we will be accepting donations To all of our generous contributors:
success would not have been possible for this match until November of 2013. thank you for making it possible for us to
without the generous support of so many. The impact of the Kronkosky mend young hearts, one child at a time.
Thanks to the support of the Charitable Foundation’s dedication to Contributions are always welcome. It
community, the CBCST is proudly helping youth, and their generosity to is never too late to make a difference in
celebrating 16 years of service to grieving the community, has made a tremendous a child’s life. Please visit our website at
children and families in San Antonio and impact on our organization and to the www.cbcst.org to make a donation. For
south Texas. To help commemorate this San Antonio community as a whole. more information, please call our devel-
notable milestone, we have launched the Many of the families we serve have opment department at (210) 736-4847.
2013 Friends of the CBCST Annual Support been devastated, not only emotionally,
Holiday Shop Tours of the Heart
was a Success Please join us for a tour of the CBCST at 11:00 a.m. on the first
Friday of each month. Come on your own, or bring a friend,
Our Fifth Annual Holiday
or come with a group! Either way, embrace this opportunity
Shop was held on Saturday,
to experience our beautiful facility firsthand, and learn more
December 8th at the CBCST,
about the services offered and the ways in which you can help
and it was a great success.
support our mission. Please RSVP to Tammy Cochran, CBCST
Holiday Shop was made
Outreach Coordinator, at tcochran@cbcst.org or (210) 736-4847
possible with a generous donation from Bartlett Cocke
ext. 247. The next dates for Tours of the Heart are scheduled for
General Contractors. We would also like to extend a special thanks
April 5th, May 3rd, and June 7th.
to Tammy Cochran and her dedicated committee, Katie Case,
Mary Herff and Mary Kessler Sauer, for planning this event, and
to Smokey Waters at Taco Cabana for his donation of breakfast
tacos, to Jenna-Beth Lyde for serving as our event photographer, Mark Your Calendars! Please
and to our dedicated volunteers from the Association of Pediatric
Hematology / Oncology Nurses, all of who made the day extra join us for a very special
special for all the families in attendance. evening with Grief Specialist
The Holiday Shop is designed to help children and teens
who have experienced the death of a parent prepare for Harold Ivan Smith, DMin, FT
holiday gift-giving. When one parent dies, there’s often no one Thursday, May 9, 2013 @ 6:30 p.m.
around to help shop and find meaningful gifts for the surviving 205 West Olmos Drive
parent. This event helps to keep the element of surprise, build San Antonio, Texas 78212
excitement, and bring renewed holiday spirit to the grieving
families. In addition to shopping, our children and their 1.5 hours of CEU credit available ($10)
families enjoyed gift-wrapping, pictures with Santa, cookie
This event is sponsored by Porter Loring Mortuaries, in
decorating and much more holiday fun!
appreciation for the services that the CBCST provides to
If you wish to volunteer at our next Holiday Shop, scheduled
San Antonio and the extended community. For questions,
for Saturday, December 7, 2013, or if you would like to donate gifts
or to reserve a seat, please contact Julia Anderson by phone
for the event, please contact Julia Anderson at (210) 736-4847
(210) 736-4847 ext. 224 or email janderson@cbcst.org.
ext. 224 or janderson@cbcst.org.CBCST Professional Trainings:
Understanding Childhood Grief, Trauma & Crisis Helping the Grieving Student
Friday, June 7, 2013, 9:30 – 12:00 p.m. Friday, September 13, 2013, 9:30 – 12:00 p.m.
$35 per person $35 per person
This is a two and a half (2.5) hour training designed to educate and prepare This is a two and a half (2.5) hour activity-based training designed to educate
mental health professionals for work with children and adults experiencing and prepare school personnel who work with grieving children. The training
trauma and grief. The training will include: (1) Understanding the impact will include: (1) Understanding a child’s perception of death as it relates
of trauma and grief as it relates to the stages of human development; to the stages of development; (2) Recognizing indicators of complicated or
(2) Recognizing indicators of trauma and traumatic grief in children traumatic grief; (3) Understanding the physiological, emotional, behavioral
and adults; (3) Understanding the physiological and neurobiological and spiritual manifestations of grief and their impact on the academic
manifestations of trauma; (4) Strategies for age appropriate intervention. performance; (4) Communicating with children and their caregivers
CEU’s available for LPC & LMSW. about death and dying; (5) Instituting age and classroom appropriate
interventions for children who are grieving and their classmates.
For more information or to be added to the contact list please contact: Morgan Fenoglio, (210) 736-4847
ext. 227, mfenoglio@cbcst.org; CEU’s available for LPC, LMSW & chaplains; (Please include attendee
name(s) in the PayPal description field when signing up.); More info at www.cbcst.org.
Thanks to All Who Support the CBCST!
THANK YOU TO Christina
Welch for hosting the 4th THANK YOU TO National Charity League
Annual Stella & Dot Holiday Alamo Chapter’s 7th & 8th Grader Tea Party
and Gift Boutique benefiting for donating art supplies to be used by our
the CBCST. children in grief support programs.
THANK YOU TO Julianna THANK YOU TO the South Texas Counseling
THANK YOU TO our outstanding Potluck Hawn Holt and Peter M. Association for hand addressing invitations for
Partners: Christ Lutheran Youth Group, Erica Holt for donating a magnificent Christmas tree, our Twelfth Annual Hearts in Harmony Gala.
Garcia & the Association of Pediatric Hematology enjoyed by our children and families attending
& Oncology Nurses, Carly Johnson and MADD, the 5th Annual Holiday Shop. THANK YOU TO Whole Earth Provision Co.
The Junior League of San Antonio, LaPeteria for donating toys and books for our children
THANK YOU TO John Matthews and Family during the holidays.
Jordan and St. John Baptist Church Women’s
for generously donating tickets for the SA Stock
Ministry, Camille Mandigo and Family, Trinity
Show & Rodeo.
University Alpha Phi Omega, The F. Michael Wood (Pictured clockwise from TOP left)
Family, The San Antonio Junior Forum, Marilyn THANK YOU TO The Mike Coolbaugh Memorial THANK YOU TO Zeta Beta for providing
Harrington and Mike Smith, Franchesca Velten Foundation for generously donating HEB gift children’s books for our narrative therapy room.
and Family, NIX Realty Company, Vanessa Casey cards to our children and families.
and Family, National Charity League Alamo THANK YOU TO Catherine Haffner and the
Chapter, Curtis Ruder and The Abiding Presence THANK YOU TO U.S. Army All-American Bowl Dominion Book Club Babes for stocking our grief
Lutheran Church Choir, The Well Community for providing tickets to our children and families. library with books from The Twig Book Shop.
Church, Holly Clark and UMC Hope Circle,
Jenna-Beth Lyde and Rotary Club of San Antonio, THANK YOU TO National Charity League THANK YOU TO our 5th Annual Holiday
Amy Benedikt, Irene Black, Laura Broderick, Ann mothers and daughters for disinfecting our Shop Chairmen. (Pictured left to right: Tammy
Cangany, Amy Case, Josie Dorris, Rose Mary Fry, play and sand therapy toys during the dreaded Cochran, Mary Herff, Katie Case and Mary
Catherine Haffner, Carol Holmes, Brooke Leddy, cold and flu season. Kessler Sauer.)
Marlise Kercheville, Jan Myrick, Jacqui Peace,
Monica Rubalcalba, Paul Shealy, Becca Smith,
THANK YOU TO Jazzercise-Churchill West, THANK YOU TO Susan Crockett and Phil
Brenda Melton, Mr. and Mrs. Austin Helmle, Marshall for collaborating together for the
Pam Thomas, Ronald Weiss, Samantha Wohler,
as well as Mr. and Mrs. Avery for generously Vergeance Project Concert event, a portion of
Julie Wolle and Amy Zunker.
replenishing our teddy bear supply. the proceeds benefited the CBCST.
CONGRATULATIONS!
We would like to congratulate our wonderful CBCST students on their respective
Thank you and we wish you the best in all that you do!
graduations! Each of these students completed their internship with the CBCST Shannon Pugh Gurpreet Singh
this past fall — their commitment to our mission is reflected in their work. Stephanie Salinas Nevine SultanPROGRAM CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS!
SPOTLIGHT: The CBCST is truly a volunteer-driven organization.
Drama Suite Wherever your time and talents may be, there is a match for
you to help link hearts, mend spirits and transform lives. We
Expression through dramatic invite you to join our Friends Forum and make a difference
play enables children to gain in any of the following ways:
perspective on real-life roles Become a trained support group facilitator (Next
and patterns, and to experiment actively with alternative responses training is July 26th & 27th).
to loss. Through drama, children utilize their most precious resource – Sponsor and serve dinner to a support group.
their imagination. On stage, they have the power to reenact or recreate
Assist with our special events, including the Third
events, concerns, dreams, and fears associated with their loss. Drama
Annual Rockin’ Hearts Round-Up and Thirteenth
is a valuable medium for the exploration of emotions because it
Annual Hearts in Harmony Gala.
encourages children to try on different roles within their own grief story.
For more information on how to get involved, please
The ability to rewind, fast forward, pause, and cut enables children to
contact Julia Anderson, Director of Volunteer Services, at
feel a sense of control in an otherwise out-of-control storyline. Drama
(210) 736-4847 ext. 224 or janderson@cbcst.org.
therapy enhances insight and perception from multiple perspectives
as children work through their loss in a safe environment. We are very
appreciative to SRO Associates, Inc., who have done a wonderful job
transforming our drama suite into a magical place for the children at
Dear CBCST Diary
the CBCST. SRO has completed projects in the past for Six Flags Fiesta Dear CBCST Diary,
Texas, as well as SeaWorld San Antonio. My husband just died of a heart attack. I am not sure if I
should take my kids to his funeral. I don’t want them to
remember him like that. I would rather keep them at home. I
have three kids (ages 4, 8, and 10). What do you recommend?
There has been much debate about this question and the
best way to know is to talk with your children. After you
have explained what has happened to their father, you
should share with them what a funeral will be like. Let
them know specific details so they can make an informed
decision and will be prepared to attend if they choose to do
THANK YOU TO AVNET
for coming by for a tour so. Tell them about how many people will be there, how they
and presenting us with a donation. will see their father in the coffin, that people will be telling
stories about his life, and that many of the people will be
THANK YOU TO the Rose Heart Angels
for kindly presenting us with a check to crying. Once you feel they have a good understanding of
purchase items off our Wish List. what the funeral will be like, ask your children if they would
like to go. Each child may have a different answer and it is
THANK YOU TO the Isle Garrett
important to give them the opportunity to choose. Funerals
estate for coming by the Center for a
tour and presenting us with a check are rituals to say goodbye to loved ones and depriving them
on behalf of Isle Garrett. (Pictured Left of this opportunity may prove to be a regret later. Children
to Right: Frost Bank Executives Pictured need closure as much as adults. If your children choose to
Left to Right: Tom Frost III, Senior
attend the funeral, it is very important to have a friend that
Executive Vice President/Public
Funds; Jon Daubert, Senior Vice can walk out with them if they become overwhelmed or are
President, Trust Administration; unable to sit through the entire funeral. It is a good idea to
and Pat Frost, President. Also have a bag of books, crayons or puzzles for them to use in
Pictured: Traci Gomez, Chris case they need to go to a different room before the funeral
Rulon, Camille Mandigo, Pam
finishes. Children do not inherently know how to grieve, so
Thomas, and Ronald Weiss.)
they look to the adults in their life to model healthy grief
and coping skills. Funerals are one way for children to learn
about the grief process.
If you’re looking for answers to your questions, please
call the CBCST at (210) 736-4847 to speak with one of our
counselors.SPRING 2013 A Newsletter to the Community from The Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas
In This Issue:
Twelfth Annual Hearts In Harmony Gala
Tours of the Heart
Save The Date!
Understanding Childhood Grief, Trauma & Crisis
Program Spotlight: Drama Suite Friday, June 7, 2013
Grief Support Group Facilitator Training
Friday & Saturday, July 26 – 27, 2013
Helping the Grieving Student
www.cbcst.org Friday, September 13, 2013
Find us on Facebook & Twitter: The Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas @CBCST
transforming lives.
Linking hearts, mending spirits,
205 West
Linking Olmos
hearts, San Antonio,
Drive, spirits,
mending transforming 78212
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