At The Gathering Place, our Children, Teen and Family programs are here to support children and teens living with cancer, who have cancer in the family and who experienced a death of an adult loved one from cancer. Our free programs and services help children, teens and families cope with the emotional, social, spiritual and physical impact of cancer.
At The Gathering Place we recognize that when a parent, grandparent or other significant adult in a child or teen's life is diagnosed with cancer it can profoundly impact the family's coping. Our staff, specially trained to work with children, teens and families, are here to provide support through this challenging time. Our programs help children, teens and families enhance current coping skills and build new ones, strengthen communication and build resilience.
No parent is ever prepared to hear that their child is battling a life-threatening illness. The Gathering Place offers education, emotional support and activities for the whole family.
Someone I Love is Sick: Helping Very Young Children Cope with Cancer in the Family is a customizable book to use when talking with children ages 2-6 years old when a parent or grandparent has cancer.
Child, teen and family specialists are available to ease your fear and uncertainty by helping you and your family members understand your child or teen's cancer diagnosis in a space where you feel comfortable.
Group for parents of children who have an adult family member with cancer. Allows for interaction with others who understand the challenges of raising children and navigating cancer within the family. Facilitator: Whitney Hadley, MA, MSW, LSW, OSW-C
Group designed for children who have an adult family member with cancer. Children utilize art, play, and discussion to process their emotions and enhance their coping skills with peers in similar situations. Facilitator: Michelle Miller, LISW-S, ACHP-SW
This interactive and creative group is designed to connect and support the entire family (caregivers, children, and siblings) in coping with the impact of cancer. Families can also connect with each other to know they are not alone in this experience. Meets the second Saturday of each month, 11:00am-12:00pm. Facilitator: Adelle Gates, MA, CCLS
Group for parents/caregivers of a child/teen with cancer currently on or post treatment. This group will provide a safe space to discuss the difficulties of having a child/teen dealing with cancer and its impacts, and to receive support from a community of others facing similar experiences. Meets the third Tuesday of each month, 7:30-8:30pm. Facilitator: Adelle Gates, MA, CCLS
Monthly group for teens (13-17) who have been diagnosed with cancer, in treatment, or recently completed treatment, to chat in a safe space with others who get it. Every month we will cover topics decided on by you and important to you. Meets the second Tuesday of every month, 7:00-8:00pm. Facilitator: Adelle Gates, MA, CCLS
Group for children who have experienced a death of a loved one with cancer. Includes expressive age-appropriate activities. Meets the second Saturday of each month. Facilitator: Adelle Gates, MA, CCLS
Group for parents/caregivers of children who have experienced a death of a loved one with cancer. Meets at the same time as Kids Grief Group. Facilitator: Michelle Miller, LISW-S, ACHP-SW
Group for children who have experienced the death of a sibling to childhood cancer. Includes expressive age-appropriate activities. Facilitator: Michelle Miller, LISW-S, ACHP-SW
Pizzeria TGP is back and open to our families for a shared meal and opportunity to swap summer stories and kick off the school year!
Shake it out at TGP! Join us for a dance party to celebrate back to school. Parents ready for a date night? Sign up for the Date Night: Let's Move! program while we groove out in another room.
Please refrain from wearing perfumes and scented lotions while a The Gathering Place. Many people undergoing treatment are sensitive to smells and find it makes them feel ill. Thank you.
"TGP started off as a support system, but over the course of our journey it became much more. The staff did an amazing job of helping me through my chaos, but even more importantly was what they provided my children - normalcy and support. We found community and support. I don't know how may family and I could have made our journey without The Gathering Place." - Participant