[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.truittlawoffices.com\/blog\/erins-house\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.truittlawoffices.com\/blog\/erins-house\/","headline":"Community Spotlight: Erin’s House for Grieving Children","name":"Community Spotlight: Erin’s House for Grieving Children","description":"At\u00a0Truitt Law Offices, we are proud of the communities we serve. Every day, we see individuals and organizations that work hard to make a difference in people\u2019s lives and to strengthen the foundation of our communities. They make cities like Fort Wayne, Huntington and Indianapolis truly great places to live....","datePublished":"2019-04-25","dateModified":"2024-01-22","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.truittlawoffices.com\/blog\/author\/richardtruitt\/#Person","name":"Richard Truitt","url":"https:\/\/www.truittlawoffices.com\/blog\/author\/richardtruitt\/","identifier":13,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/873e99ebaf9a19c98d76d750d942377a4e6f6cd1e89779c7698fb25efd30f015?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/873e99ebaf9a19c98d76d750d942377a4e6f6cd1e89779c7698fb25efd30f015?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Truitt Law Offices","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.truittlawoffices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Truitt-Law-Offices-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/www.truittlawoffices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Truitt-Law-Offices-Logo.png","width":427,"height":59}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.truittlawoffices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/child-learning.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.truittlawoffices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/child-learning.jpg","height":666,"width":1000},"url":"https:\/\/www.truittlawoffices.com\/blog\/erins-house\/","about":["Community"],"wordCount":1035,"articleBody":"At\u00a0Truitt Law Offices, we are proud of the communities we serve. Every day, we see individuals and organizations that work hard to make a difference in people\u2019s lives and to strengthen the foundation of our communities. They make cities like Fort Wayne, Huntington and Indianapolis truly great places to live. In our \u201cCommunity Spotlight\u201d series, we want to bring attention to their contributions. We hope you enjoy reading about them and become inspired to support them.  Get to Know Erin\u2019s House for Grieving ChildrenErin\u2019s House for Grieving Children5670 YMCA Park Drive WestFort Wayne, IN 46835(260) 423-2466info@erinshouse.orgIn January 1989, Erin Farragh died from unknown causes just two months shy of her sixth birthday. Her death caused tremendous grief for her family members as well as her young friends. However, while the adults affected by her death found support groups in the Fort Wayne area, no similar support groups were available for her younger siblings. Erin\u2019s House was soon established in an effort to fill that void.In October 1993, the Junior League of Fort Wayne founded Erin\u2019s House for Grieving Children with a mission of providing support for young children, teens and families who have suffered the loss of a loved one. It was the first of its kind in Indiana and one of only 32 similar organizations in the country. Since its establishment, Erin\u2019s House has helped more than 21,000 individuals to cope with the grieving process and to move forward with their lives, including 1,559 individuals in 2018 alone.Healing Hearts and Building HopeAs Erin\u2019s House notes on its website, children who have suffered the loss of a parent, sibling or other loved one often struggle to come to terms with their heartache. The more they struggle with their emotional pain, the more likely they are to face problems at school and at home. They may miss classes, struggle with behavioral issues and experiment with alcohol and drugs. They also face a heightened risk of suicide.At Erin\u2019s House, young people who have lost a loved one can find a safe, comfortable and nurturing environment where they can work through their grief with others in a healthy manner. The organization makes its services widely accessible by charging no fees and by making its programs available in Spanish.The\u00a0services\u00a0which Erin\u2019s House provides include:Peer Support Program NightsIn\u00a0peer support\u00a0sessions, children can share their feelings with others who are going through a similar experience. The sessions are held twice per month in the evenings at Erin\u2019s House. After enjoying pizza, participants are broken into groups based on their age. Each group has 6-9 participants and 2-3 volunteer facilitators. While the children meet, adults have the option to attend group sessions which focus on ways to support children through the grieving process. Participants can attend the sessions until they believe they are ready to leave.Young Adult GroupsThese\u00a0support group sessions\u00a0are available to young adults between the ages of 19 and 30. Like the program for children, these support group sessions are held twice per month and focus on developing skills to cope with the grieving process. They are open-ended as well. Participants can attend as long as they want.School ProgramsInstead of holding sessions at the Erin\u2019s House facility, these sessions are held for no cost in\u00a0area schools. It consists of a 10-week program in which students meet twice per week. Each week focuses on a different theme.Camps and RetreatsThese innovative programs allow children and families to enjoy traditional camp activities such as fishing, rock wall climbing and riding ziplines. At the same time, the\u00a0camps\u00a0feature sessions that focus on helping children to develop the emotional skills that will help them to move forward in a positive way. Currently, Erin\u2019s House offers three camps:Camp Good Grief \u2013\u00a0This is a three-day, two-night camp for children between the ages of 8 and 13 which is held at Camp Crosley in North Webster. Erin\u2019s House has held this camp for 19 years. \u201cChildren return from camp with improved skills and resources necessary to identify and express their emotions in positive ways,\u201d Erin\u2019s House says on its website.Teen Retreat \u2013\u00a0This is a two-day, one-night camp held at Camp Webster. It is similar to Camp Good Grief and available to children between the ages of 14 and 19.Family Camp \u2013\u00a0This two-day, one-night event is held in November at Epworth Forest Conference Center for children ages 3 to 18 and their families. The camp features breakout sessions for the children and adults as well as activities which involve the entire family.Phone SupportErin\u2019s House provides helpful information to parents, guardians, family members and helping professionals through its\u00a0phone program. The organization can answer questions about children and the grieving process, discuss the services which it provides and make referrals to other community resources.How Can You Support Erin\u2019s House for Grieving Children?Erin\u2019s House is a non-profit organization that receives no government funding. So, in order to provide services at no cost to children and their families, the organization relies on community support. You can help Erin\u2019s House as a:Donor \u2013\u00a0The organization accepts\u00a0donations\u00a0online, by phone and by mail. Any size of donation helps. You can also support Erin\u2019s House by making in-kind donations. Check out its website to see a wish list of items, including arts and crafts supplies, peer support program night supplies and camp supplies. You can also donate to Erin\u2019s House by shopping with Amazon Smile.Volunteer \u2013\u00a0Erin\u2019s House has the need for volunteer group facilitators, house parents and librarians. You can find\u00a0volunteer opportunities\u00a0online and submit an application.Advocate \u2013\u00a0You can also support Erin\u2019s House by referring families to the organization, sponsoring and attending events and by following the organization on social media. Check out the\u00a0Erin\u2019s House Facebook page,\u00a0for instance, to see the organization\u2019s latest news and a list of upcoming\u00a0events and activities\u00a0such as the Common Bond Breakfast, Cap n\u2019 Cork Golf Outing, Wine for the Spirit, Lights of Love Memorial and Children\u2019s Grief Awareness Day."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.truittlawoffices.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Community Spotlight: Erin’s House for Grieving Children","item":"https:\/\/www.truittlawoffices.com\/blog\/erins-house\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]