Rainbows Newsletter - Fall 2020Rainbows Newsletter - Fall 2020

November 19th: National Children's Grief Awareness DayNovember 19th: National Children's Grief Awareness Day

Each year, we ask the Building Owners and Managers Association of Chicago to light thebuildings BLUEBLUE i in recognition of National Children's Grief Awareness Day, November19th. This month is also Pancreatic Cancer Awareness and the color for that issue ispurple. Suzy Yehl Marta, the late Founder of Rainbows, died from pancreatic cancer on January13, 2013. Given this disease took such an essential person from all of us way too soon wehonor that awareness campaign, as well. When you happen to see the Chicago skyline in person, on the news or in a photograph,lit up in BLUEBLUE this week or purple next, we hope you will pause to think of Suzy andRainbows and her life-saving mission to help youth find hope and healing after loss. Many adults are quick to dismiss the depth to which children and teens can grieve afterloss and are not aware that youth, too, need consistent care and support. Children grieve

differently than adults, who tend to process loss more on a continuum. With less-developed emotional maturity, children can only grieve for small periods of time--what wecall "sad attacks"--so it can often appear they have "bounced back" from tragedy with noapparent harm. The truth is while children can be very resilient, they often need to betaught the coping mechanisms and given tools to manage their grief before they can fullycome to terms with it in a healthy way. If they are not well supported, this can lead to abuild-up of stress to the point of it being highly toxic to both their immediate and long-termphysical and mental health. Join us in bringing awareness to this mission! Grab some blue socksGrab some blue socks, take a selfie and tagRainbows for All Children on your social media posts. Help us to shine a bright, BLUE BLUE lighton children's grief throughout the month.

What We're WatchingWhat We're Watching

Finding JoeFinding JoeAvailable free on YouTube

This documentary explores mythologistJoseph Campbell's studies about selfdiscovery and what he called "The Hero'sJourney."

Not Rated (but more for adults)

Big Hero 6Big Hero 6Available on Disney+ and Prime Video

After Hiro's older brother, Tadashi, diestragically, Hiro must cope with his grief. Heends up befriending a robot created by hisbrother, named Baymax. Together, the pairteams up to help save their city from evil!

Rated PG

Continuing Suzy's MissionContinuing Suzy's Missionphoto: photo: Suzy and one of her groups in 1992

Our children and teens have been heavilyimpacted by grief as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic that is sweeping ourworld. Given that the number of cases arecontinuing to rise with no immediate end,we know this means there are many whowill continue to need support. In an

upcoming letter from our ExecutiveDirector, Stephanie Garrity, you will beasked to help us meet the growing need.

Already, 181 volunteers181 volunteers have completed theSilver Linings training and have begunimplementing community crisis supportgroups both near and far. Beginning inApril, Rainbows Australia was able to offerSilver Linings to children, includingIndigenous Australians, affected both by thepandemic as well as the precedingwildfires. Groups that met here in Evanston

this summer shared feelings about COVID, but also how they've been affected by racismand equity issues, police brutality, and other traumas.

Addressing children's grief and providing them the problem-solving and coping skillsnecessary to manage their stress, anger and sadness is more crucial now than everbefore. If you are able to provide a donation of any amount to help Rainbows continue toIf you are able to provide a donation of any amount to help Rainbows continue tolessen the likelihood of poor health outcomes for these children later in life, pleaselessen the likelihood of poor health outcomes for these children later in life, pleaseconsider giving. consider giving. Your donation will be used to provide support in communities that cannototherwise afford these important programs, and allow us to continue to reach morechildren and their families where support is greatly needed and is often lacking.

DONATE HEREDONATE HERE

Special AnnouncementsSpecial Announcements

In honor of National Children's Grief Awareness, we are offering a 20% discount20% discount on allmaterials in our online store from now until 12/31. Use promo code Sunbeams20 Sunbeams20 whenchecking out online or mention it if you are calling in or emailing your order.

We now have all parent/guardian materials for Rainbows and Silver Linings available inSpanish and Mandarin. We expect to have them in Arabic as well by the end of 2020. In2021, the goal is to have everything also available in French, and for the parent/guardian

survey assessments and the registration forms to also be available in all of thoselanguages. If you would like to volunteer to assist with the 2021 projects, please email us

at info@rainbows.orginfo@rainbows.org. Thank you!

In an effort to keep our staff, interns and volunteers safe, we are temporarily closing theRainbows HQ office until the number of COVID cases decreases to a safer level again.

Please do NOT call the office or leave a voicemail. The best way to reach us at this time isvia email, info@rainbows.orginfo@rainbows.org. We will be working from home.

What We're ReadingWhat We're Reading

A Tiny Step ForwardA Tiny Step Forward

Writer and therapist, Charlene Khaghan, and Jill Starishevsky'spicture book was written to let young children (ages 4-8) know ifthey have lost someone close, be it friend or family member, it isokay to feel upset and miss the person they are grieving. As life

moves on, it is okay to once again feel happy and to enjoy lifeas their loved one would have wanted for them.

Though each day may only be a "tiny step forward," the authorshope is that the final stanza of the book will always serve as areminder that our loved ones are never truly gone as long asthey live in our hearts.

The book includes a section designated for kids to include aphoto of their loved one and space to include some of theirfavorite thoughts and memories.

Children of Incarcerated ParentsChildren of Incarcerated Parents

Rainbows groups are designed to include children withincarcerated parents, and they are welcomed just as warmly asany other participant. We also recognize these children andteens often have complicated grief that comes from the stigmathis specific loss can carry. For that reason, they are not alwayscomfortable in "mixed loss" groups and some prefer to be withpeers who can more closely identify with their uniquecircumstances.

To address this issue, Rainbows is releasing a special training in 2021 for facilitators whomay encounter children with incarcerated parents, sometimes referred to as CIPS. Thetraining provides information about some of the different challenges CIPS might face (e.g.what it is like to visit a parent in prison) and will encourage facilitators to check their ownbiases to be equitable and non-judgmental.

We also realize there are millions of youth struggling with this specific loss and the need isenormous. Should you come across CIPS who would prefer to be in a group of peers withtheir same loss, this is a great organization to which to refer them.

Project Avary provides support for children with a parent who is or was incarcerated. Inresponse to the pandemic, they have expanded their program to reach more people bymoving online, and beyond the Bay Area of California to serve children nationwide. Theironline 6-week program is free and will be held on Zoom.

Here are the requirements to join:Have a parent who is or was incarceratedBe between the ages of 10-15Be willing and able to commit to attending all 6 initial group meetingsBe aware of parent's incarcerationBe meaningfully impacted by this experienceHave internet and device access during scheduled group times

Check out their official websiteofficial website for more information or view the flyerview the flyer..

Fun Gifts for the HolidaysFun Gifts for the Holidays

Rainbows is teaming up with Kidoodles and Sheryl's CraftyGifts to raise money and awareness for Rainbows.You won't want to miss this virtual shopping event!

New Rainbows SitesNew Rainbows Sites

Please help us welcome our newest Rainbows sites!Please help us welcome our newest Rainbows sites!

American History High School - Newark, NJAmerican History High School - Newark, NJAnn Street - Newark, NJAnn Street - Newark, NJ

Apollo Elementary - Des Plaines, ILApollo Elementary - Des Plaines, ILCornerstone Community Church - San Clemente, CACornerstone Community Church - San Clemente, CA

Fieldcrest Intermediate - Toluca, ILFieldcrest Intermediate - Toluca, ILFirst Presbyterian Church - Verona, NJFirst Presbyterian Church - Verona, NJ

Hugs From Cara - Auburn, NYHugs From Cara - Auburn, NYJulie Bililart School - Lyndhurst, OHJulie Bililart School - Lyndhurst, OH

Landmark Christian School - Fairburn, GALandmark Christian School - Fairburn, GAMelzer School - Morton Grove, ILMelzer School - Morton Grove, IL

Mount Paran Christian School - Kennesaw, GAMount Paran Christian School - Kennesaw, GAP.S. 195 - Bronx, NYP.S. 195 - Bronx, NY

Pickaway Co. Library - Circleville, OHPickaway Co. Library - Circleville, OHSaint Isaac Jogues - Hinsdale, ILSaint Isaac Jogues - Hinsdale, IL

St. Paul's Lutheran - Muskego, WISt. Paul's Lutheran - Muskego, WIThirteenth Avenue - Newark, NJThirteenth Avenue - Newark, NJUCAN Academy - Chicago, ILUCAN Academy - Chicago, IL

Xavier Catholic Schools - Cedar Rapids, IAXavier Catholic Schools - Cedar Rapids, IAZane Trace Middle School and High School - Chillicothe, OHZane Trace Middle School and High School - Chillicothe, OH

Plus over 300 Chicago Public Schools!!Plus over 300 Chicago Public Schools!!

Happy Autumn Everyone!Happy Autumn Everyone!