Title: A community based treatment center for grief and the creation of a gift package containing tools for
1A community based treatment center for grief and
the creation of a gift package containing tools
for self-care
- Community Practicum Experience
- Tara L. Wilson
2 The Good Grief Center (GGC) for bereavement
support
- Mission statement
- To be a resource center and safe place where
all who have experienced the pain of death may
come to work through loss and learn to manage
grief
3GGC free services
- counseling support provided at no cost via
trained volunteers and staff - one-on-one support (in person and/or by phone)
- referral network
- support groups
- art therapy and other workshops
- lending library an extensive collection of
grief resources (books, audio and video)
4Death in American Society
- Approximately 828 per 100,00 people die annually
in the United States according to the Centers for
Disease Control 2007. - These deaths cause at least as many American
individuals and/or families to enter the grieving
process each year.
5Death in American Society
- End of life rituals (funeral services, burial
rituals, or the act of carrying out specific
wishes for a loved ones remains) usually take
place within a short period of time after the
death occurs. - Its also expected that, within a brief time
following the death, the bereaved should be ready
to move on with life. Many bereaved experience
great difficulty in doing so and problems arise.
6Death in American Society
- If you break your arm on the job, you are
entitled to six weeks or more of time with
reduced responsibilities. But if your heart is
broken, due to the death of a spouse or a child,
most companies permit you only a few days
bereavement leave. - Russell P. Friedman, Grief Recovery Index
- The 2003 Grief Index
7Grief as a health issue
- Despite being a common, normal part of life,
bereavement and the grief it evokes are
associated with heightened risk for morbidity and
mortality (Zhang, El-Jawahri, Prigerson 2006). - Studies (Grimby 1993 Byrne Raphael 1997) have
shown that bereavement magnifies the risk of
psychological disturbances, such as increased
symptoms of anxiety. - Depressive symptoms and major depressive episodes
have also been shown to be increased through
grief (Bruce et al. 1990 Zisook et al. 1994).
8Grief as a health issue
- Taken together, research appears to have
confirmed the general perception that the loss of
a loved one has negative consequences for the
mental health and overall health of the survivor
(Prigerson 1997).
9Treatment options
- A simple internet search using the Google search
engine yields a plethora of grief resources. - Contact information for support groups and other
grief related organizations offering support to
the bereaved are easily accessible for those with
internet access
10Treatment options
- A search with key words grief support yields
3,220,000 hits - A few resources accessible online
- The compassionate friends www.compassionatefriends
.org - Grief Share Grief recovery support groups
www.griefshare.org - Grief Net www.griefnet.org
- Pet loss grief support www.petloss.com
-
11Community based programs
- Community based programs are defined as those
that take place outside a clinical setting. - Most exist without ties to medical centers or
religious organizations. - This non-affiliated type of existence may be the
key reason for the success of such programs.
12History of the GGC
- In 2000, the GGC was founded by its current
executive director, Ms. LuLu Or. - The good grief center operates as a non-profit
under the Pittsburgh Pastoral Institute, a
501(c)(3) organization, which serves as its
fiduciary agent. - In 2001, the doors opened to begin serving all
those whose lives have been touched by grief. - The Carnegie Library of Homestead generously
offered GGC space on its second floor out of
which to operate the center. - In 2003, the GGC created the Care Package
13The Care Package
- One focus of this practicum is the development of
the Care Package. - This interest comes from my service experience as
a member of the Care Package working group
committee. - The role of the Care Package is to not only help
those who are grieving, but to also provide an
ongoing funding source for GGC.
14The Care Package
- The GGC and the care package working group
committee developed a special bereavement Care
Package as an alternative to flowers or food
baskets. - Includes numerous items especially designed to
offer comfort and healing to the grieving
individual. - Supports GGCs mission of supporting the grieving
by providing useful tools and information for
coping with grief.
15Objectives for The Care Package
- To provide family, friends, co-workers and
employers with an alternative gift to give that
promotes healing when someone is grieving a loss.
- To promote GGCs services and programs more
widely, educate grieving individuals about the
support options available through GGC, and
provide information on the grieving process. - To create a self-sustaining enterprise that will
provide earned income for GGC.
16Description of the Care Package
- Specifically designed to provide items that offer
comfort or healing to grieving recipients - Revenue and sales
- Name recognition for the newly developed center
- Every item included in the package hosts the GGC
logo and signature g in the purple signature
color
17Contents of the Care Package
- 20 tips for good grieving a collection of
wisdom developed with the experience and
understanding of the GGC - A journal and pen to record thoughts
- A mug with tea samples
- A magnetic message frame to express with words or
remember with a picture
18Contents of the Care Package, cont.
- A prepaid phone card to call friends and family
- A memory candle
- Tissue packets
- A packet of rosemary (an herb)
- A g pin
19Sales of the Care Package
20The Care Package
- Strong customer satisfaction with the Care
Package is evidenced by repeat customers
accounting for 19 of orders - Past recipients becoming customers and ordering
package for others - Corporate customers account for 25 of the orders
21Service Counts for GGC
22The Care Package is of interest
- The creation of a revenue generating, social
enterprise, name-recognition product may be of
particular interest to other community based
groups. - The creation and success of the Care Package may
be of particular interest for those in community
health services and public health in general.
23Future sales plan for the Care Package
- GGC has the opportunity to turn competitors into
distribution partners. - Local or national florists, neighborhood card and
gift shops and national chains will be targeted
to be partner or sell through these avenues. - GGCs website is working to offer a small floral
arrangement to be send immediately which will be
followed-up by a Care Package a few weeks later. - Increased volume will offset any profit losses.
- Hospitals, hospice, and long-term care facilities
will also be approached to partner with GGC for
Care Package sales.
24The Care Package Brochure
25The Care Package Brochure
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