November News * Tu Nidito

Dear Tu Nidito Friends and Families:

It is already November; this year is flying by as we come back together in person for our individual and group support programs. It was a joy to experience the meaningful celebrations of Día de los Muertos during our October support groups.

We are extremely grateful to Ray Flores and the entire Flores family for hosting a signature event “Day of the Bread” in support of Tu Nidito and in celebration of Día de los Muertos. Everyone who attended had a meaningful experience. We are looking forward to making this event a yearly tradition.

This month our support group families are sharing community while enjoying pies, provided by our dedicated Board of Directors and friends of Tu Nidito.

I want to lift up the importance of recognizing Children’s Grief Awareness Day, November 17th. Now more than ever we need to normalize conversations about grief, as we strive to create a community of acceptance and understanding for those grieving a serious medical condition or death. As we look at the ramifications from Covid deaths, knowing that more than 72,000 children had a parent or primary caregiver die during the pandemic, we feel the need for our programs more than ever before. To address this, we are ramping up our Grief Education training throughout southern Arizona, with a commitment to provide adults with the tools they need to support the grieving children in their lives. Grief needs to be acknowledged in a safe supportive environment where pain can be felt, and all feel heard.

I am grateful for our wonderful team of professionals and volunteers who give their heart and soul to listen deeply and create community for those grieving.

Yours,

Liz!

Continuing Bonds by Brigid Frasquillo

At Tu Nidito, we know it is so important to normalize grief. There can be a sense of stigma if we express our grief or don't "get over our grief" in the timeline others may expect. Continuing Bonds is a theory that normalizes both grief as an ongoing process and the importance of maintaining connections with those in our lives who have died. At the end of October, we celebrate Dia de los Muertos at Tu Nidito which beautifully captures how stories and memories are one way we can keep a continuing bond with our special people. Check out the article below to learn all about continuing bonds.

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Tu Nidito Takes Grief and Loss Support Group

Training on the Road by Debbie Rich

In response to a critical community need addressing the record cases of grief and loss due to the pandemic and resulting deaths from the virus and ripple effect of increased suicide and homicide deaths, Tu Nidito has developed a comprehensive training for school staff and a companion structured 8-week Grief group curriculum.

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Volunteer Spotlight:

The Wisdom of Sophia Dunne by Debbie Rich

Sophia Dunne, a Tu Nidito intern and senior at the University of Arizona, never thought she would work with grieving children. She was studying with her friend Jasmine, an avid Tu Nidito volunteer and advocate, when she overheard Jasmine’s presentation via Zoom to a group of college students. Jasmine told the story of a little boy who lives two hours away from Tu Nidito and “begs” his parents to bring him to a support group twice a month. Sophia thought to herself this place must be pretty special if a child begs to travel 4 hours roundtrip to spend 90 minutes in a support group.

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Reflections:

Dia De Los Muertos At Tu Nidito by Meredith Villaseñor

Dia de Los Muertos is a tradition celebrated at Tu Nidito, it is truly one of the most special events offered. It is a night where families gather at the little nest and bring an ofrenda, tell the stories of their loved ones and connect with other families about their memories. It reveals a unique space to grieve as a family and to hold each other as we celebrate the life of those who are no longer with us.

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November is Children's Grief Awareness Month...

We want to thank our Ride for A Child Ambassadors and the El Charro family for raising critical funds and awareness for Tu Nidito as we honor Children's Grief Awareness month

Did you know?

More than 72,000 children in the US lost a parent to COVID-19 and over 67,000 lost a grandparent caregiver in the home, while more than 13,000 children lost their only in-home caregiver. More information about children and grief here.