Grow in Grief kits are now available for borrowing at the Guelph Public Library’s Main Library and Westminster Square Branch thanks to a partnership with the Nightingale Centre for Grieving Children, Youth, and Families.
Grow in Grief kits support families who have experienced or are anticipating the death of someone important in their lives with activities, tools, and comfort items to help them understand and cope with their grief together.
Grow in Grief kits include:
- Grow in Grief activity book
- Grief resource information for caregivers
- Mindful breathing activity cards
- Pocket hugs
- Tissues and bubbles
- Online resources and book lists for families
The kits will also include four books about grief and loss: The Invisible String, When Dinosaurs Die, Goodbye: A First Conversation About Grief, and Life Is Like The Wind.
Patrons with a Library card can place a hold online or visit either branch to check out a kit for four weeks.
“Everyone has or will experience grief in their lifetime,” says Jodi Pereira, Executive Director at Nightingale. “The purpose of the Grow in Grief kits and the vision of Nightingale is to ensure that no child feels alone in their grief, make sure their grief is acknowledged, their needs supported and that they have the opportunity to connect with a community that understands. Nightingale is grateful to our friends at the Guelph Public Library for their vision and commitment to working together to build a more compassionate, grief literate, and resilient Guelph.”
“The Library is grateful for valuable partners like Nightingale where we can collectively solve a need for the Guelph community through non-traditional resources offered in our collection,” says Meg Forestell-Page, Manager of Public Service at the Library. “Together, we’re building a future-focused Library that empowers our patrons and builds a resilient community.”
This booklist highlights additional reading recommendations to support young readers as they experience grief.
Learn about partnerships with Guelph Public Library
Guelph Public Library partners with community organizations in Guelph and the surrounding area to enhance resources, programming, services, and collections that benefit patrons and support the Library’s mission.
About Nightingale Centre for Grieving Children, Youth, and Families
The Nightingale Centre is a local charity that provides information and support to children, youth, and families in Guelph, Wellington County, and surrounding areas that are living with grief. Nightingale’s programs and services are offered at no cost to families anticipating, or living with, the death of a significant person in their life. Their programs and services included in person/virtual family support, peer support groups for caregivers, children, teens, and young adults, memorial events, consultation, and information and education for families, volunteers, professionals, and the community.
Media contacts
Meg Forestell-Page, Manager of Public Service
Guelph Public Library
548-855-0407
mforestell@guelphpl.ca
Jodi Pereira, Executive Director
Nightingale Centre for Grieving Children, Youth, and Families
519-265-9594
info@nightingalecentre.org