Frequently Asked Questions
· How does a person sign-up for a support group?
· How long are the support groups?
· How many Mending Lives support groups are offered each year?
· Can a family participate in a group more than one time?
· When is the best time for a family to participate in a support group?
· What kind of activities do the children (and adults) engage in during their group sessions?
· How much does it cost to participate in a support group?
· Where is Three Trees located?
· Who are the people that Three Trees helps?
· How many children could possibly benefit from services at Three Trees?
· Why do many children have a hard time with the grieving process?
· Why is it important for children experiencing the death of a loved one to get help?
· Who leads the various support groups?
· Is the program or are the people running the program licensed?
· What opportunities are there for people to get involved and help Three Trees?
· How can I learn more about Three Trees?
How does a person sign-up for a support group?
The first step is to call the Three Trees office at 316.263.3335. After a brief phone interview, a short orientation appointment will be scheduled with our program coordinator. Based upon that dialogue you most likely will be assigned to an upcoming Mending Lives support group.
How long are the support groups?
Each Mending Lives support group meets for eight weeks, on either Tuesdays or Thursdays, with each weekly meeting running from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m.
How many Mending Lives support groups are offered each year?
Three Trees provides 8-9 group sessions each year depending upon the need.
Can a family participate in a group more than one time?
Yes. After a family completes the Mending Lives support group, they can return if they feel they need additional support. For those families just needing less frequent support, we provide a monthly on-going support group called Monday Night Re-Connect.
When is the best time for a family to participate in a support group?
It really is up to the family when they feel ready to participate. However, based upon our experience with grieving families, group placement generally occurs at least six to eight weeks following a death.
What kind of activities do the children (and adults) engage in during their group sessions?
Children engage in various age-appropriate activities designed to help with work toward the completion of the four tasks of grieving: 1) understanding, 2) grieving or mourning, 3) commemorating or memorializing, and 4) moving on.
Examples of activities are listed below.
? Pre-school: Using felt board, drawing, painting and sharing personal stories.
? Elementary school: Using clay, making memory boxes, journaling, story-telling and drawing.
? Adolescent: Sharing personal stories, making collages and writing poetry.
? Young Adults: Sharing personal feelings in small group settings, with an emphasis on verbal and some expressive therapy techniques.
? Adults: Sharing personal experiences and parenting techniques with an emphasis on verbal and some expressive therapy techniques.
How much does it cost to participate in a support group?
Support group services are offered free of charge with donations being gratefully accepted.
Three Trees is located in Wichita, Kansas, in the Tallgrass Executive Park. Our physical address is 8100 East 22nd Street North, Building 800, Suite 100, Wichita, KS 67226. We are east of Rock Road and just north of the Rock Road and 21st Street intersection.
Who are the people that Three Trees helps?
Three Trees focuses on providing hope and healing to children, between the ages of 3 and 18, who are grieving the death of a loved one and their families or caregivers. We welcome all grieving children and their families regardless of race/origin, religion, economic background or sexual orientation. While many of our families come from the Wichita area, we also have families that travel a considerable distance for help. Salina, Wellington, Hutchinson, Pratt, Newton and El Dorado, are just a few hometowns of some of our families.
Yes. Formal assessment indicates the healing power of the Three Trees program. Of the families served,
? Over 90% reported general overall improvement in the quality of their family life;
? 100% would recommend Three Trees to another grieving family;
? Over 88% reported improvement in their children's school behavior and performance.
How many children could possibly benefit from services at Three Trees?
It's hard to know exactly how many children have had a loved one die; however, 1 in 7 children will loose a loved one by the age of 10…that's three children in every 4th grade class.
Why do many children have a hard time with the grieving process?
Oftentimes adults are overwhelmed with their own grief and are emotionally unavailable for the children in their lives leaving them to grieve alone. Without someone to help them work through their grief or model how to grieve, children tend to be the "forgotten mourners," who often feel frightened, disoriented, angry, frustrated and guilty.
Why is it important for children experiencing the death of a loved one to get help?
Bereaved children have a significantly increased risk of developing psychiatric disorders and may suffer considerable psychological and social difficulties throughout childhood and even later in life. Studies show that with help, even young children have well-developed concepts relating to death. Interventions, such as Three Trees support groups, can alleviate the immediate distress of childhood bereavement and help prevent depression and other mental health problems later in life.
Who leads the various support groups?
Volunteers trained in the grief process facilitate each age-appropriate support group under the direction of the Program Coordinator. The Program Coordinator is a licensed professional in the social work field with experience in individual and group therapy. Currently, the Program Coordinator is a licensed master level social worker or LMSW. Each trained volunteer must successfully complete an intensive two-day (12 hours) training conducted by licensed professionals. Some of the trained volunteers actually work as school counselors, case managers, therapists and teachers.
Is the program or are the people running the program licensed?
Yes. The program was created by licensed professionals with extensive experience in child psychology and art therapy. The daily oversight of the program is the responsibility of the Program Coordinator who is a licensed master level social worker.
As a recognized 501 (c) 3 non-profit, non-affiliated agency, Three Trees relies entirely on the financial support of the community. Nearly 90% of donations come from individuals with the remaining funds as a result of corporate and foundation support. In-kind donations, such as gift cards, craft supplies, snack food and office supplies, are an important aspect of donations too.
What opportunities are there for people to get involved and help Three Trees?
Opportunities to be involved are varied with the intent there is something for anyone wishing to be part of the Three Trees mission. Gifts of money, in-kind goods and time are always needed and gratefully appreciated. For more information, go to 'How You Can Make a Difference' page or contact Three Trees directly at 316.263.3335 or at threetrees@threetrees.org.
How can I learn more about Three Trees?
The best way to learn more about Three Trees is to actual see the agency. Tours are offered two to three times per month and can be arranged by appointment, too. The tour last less than one hour and provides an opportunity to learn the history of Three Trees, pertinent facts about the agency and children's grief and to actual see and experience the magic that occurs within its walls. To learn the current tour schedule or to schedule a tour, please contact us at 316.263.3335 or at threetrees@threetrees.org.