Events

The Solace Tree Shares Tips for Dealing with Loss During the Holidays

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Reno, NV (November 26, 2013) – The holiday season can be especially difficult for individuals and families who are grieving the loss of a loved one. “There is no right or wrong way to grieve,” shares Emilio Parga, Executive Director of the solace Tree. “Some have said that not having their loved one with them during the holidays has intensified their pain, others have talked about the joy that has been experienced through continuing traditions that were special to the loved one that they have lost.”

Solace Tree children and teens, along with their parents, have shared some guidelines that have made it easier to get through the holidays without their loved one. These are only suggestions, and may or may not be appropriate for your distinguishing circumstance.

  • Talk about your grief as a family and don’t be afraid to talk about the person who has died. Share your thoughts, feelings and memories with people you trust.
  • Invite children in the family to help make choices or decisions about what to do or not to do during the upcoming holidays.
  • Be prepared for all types of reactions. Each individual grieves at their own pace.
  • Children and adolescents need time to grieve. Allow them space, either alone or with support.
  • Keep the spirit alive for young children. It will play a role in their future beliefs about the holiday season.
  • Do things that are simple, such as only decorating one room instead of the whole house.
  • Shop online or through catalogs for gifts.
  • Be honest with your feelings. Try keeping a journal. Write a letter to

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Talking about 9/11

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Suggestions for teachers, parents and adults when talking to children about September 11th.

Adapted from Donna A. Gaffney, DNSc, PMHCNS-BC, FAAN

How do we begin the conversation with students who are so young that they only have knowledge of 2001 from parents and older siblings or friends? The following suggestions may help in beginning the conversation.

Language: Be consistent in how you refer to September 11, 2001

  • September 11th or September 11, 2001
  • 9/11, (pronounced nine-eleven) the numeric shorthand that has forever labeled this day in our history.
  • If possible, show younger students a calendar
  • 9-1-1: Do not use this way of referring to September 11. And correct those who may be using this term

Saying 9-1-1 is confusing, 911 is the emergency telephone number for the North American Numbering Plan

Geographic Considerations

  • Remember this is not just a New York, Washington or Pennsylvania event
  • Students in the metropolitan areas surrounding these cities may be much more savvy about using certain words (9/11, terrorism, etc) but they still may not have full comprehension of their meanings.

Maturity

  • Remember that as a student matures he or she may have a different understanding and new questions about September 11, 2001.
  • Twelve years is a long time in a student’s life. A child who was barely five years old will be at a completely different developmental stage at 16.
  • As children cognitively mature, they are able to comprehend much more information.
  • Adolescents are able to perform abstract reasoning
  • A child or teen may experience feelings of their younger selves on that day, i.e. a 16-year-old remembers the feelings of that day as a 5-year-old.
  • Be prepared

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UNR Grad To Finish Solace Tree Benefit Swim Around Lake Tahoe Saturday, August 31

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Robby Schlesinger, 23, spent the month of August swimming the perimeter of Lake Tahoe in memory of his father, Bob Schlesinger, who accomplished the same feat twice in the early 90s. Robby will finish his swim Saturday, August 31 at 10:00 a.m. at the same place he started a month ago – North Tahoe Beach at King’s Beach. He will present a check to Solace Tree President Dave Wertzberger at that time.

Robby’s swim took place in various legs, consisting of several miles a day in 50-60 degree water, spanning several days. While his father swam for charities such as the American Cancer Society and Save the Rainforest, Robby’s swim is to benefit the Solace Tree, whose message inspired him after he lost his father five years ago.

Bob Schlesinger swam Lake Tahoe 23 years ago while his son was still an infant. When Robby was 15, his father was injured in a car accident that eventually left him with severe chronic pain. After years of struggling with his condition, Bob Schlesinger took his own life.

As his family grieved, Robby was inspired by the message of the Solace Tree, which provides counseling and a safe environment for those who have experienced a loss to express their grief. In cooperation with Solace Tree Executive Director Emilio Parga, Robby has established Swimming for Solace, which has been collecting donations and pledges to directly support the Solace Tree.

The Solace Tree, Inc. a 501c (3) non-profit based in Reno, NV. The Solace Tree mission is to provide

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Child & Teen Grief Awareness Day

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Thursday, November 21, 2013 Children and teens who have had a loved one die often feel alone in their grief, like nobody understands what they’re going through. Experiencing a death can be overwhelming for anyone, but it is especially difficult for those so young. Grieving children need support. And the first step in that support … Read more

Upcoming Events

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Solace Tree Volunteer Training Sessions – October 17, 19, 22 Thursday, October 17 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Saturday, October 19 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tuesday October 22  from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Community Open House – Second Wednesday of each Month Solace House, Wednesday, October 9 Noon – 1:00 p.m. Solace Tree Family Orientation – Second Thursday … Read more

Swimming for Solace Kick-Off Event: Saturday, August 3 at 8:30 a.m. at North Tahoe Beach, King’s Beach

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Contact: Jackie Shelton
jshelton@jax-marketing.com | 775.772.6543

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

UNR Grad Swims Lake Tahoe in Father’s Memory
To Benefit the Solace Tree
Kick-Off Event: Saturday, August 3 at 8:30 a.m.
at North Tahoe Beach, King’s Beach

Reno, NV (July 30, 2013) — Robby Schlesinger, 23, has spent the last few months preparing to swim the perimeter of Lake Tahoe in the memory of his father, Bob Schlesinger, who accomplished the same feat twice in the early 1990s. While his father swam for charities such as the American Cancer Society and Save the Rainforest, Robby will be repeating the same swim to benefit the Solace Tree, whose message inspired him after he lost his father five years ago.

Robby is training extensively for his swim this August, which will kick off from Camp Solace at North Tahoe Beach in King’s Beach on Saturday, August 3, at 9:00 a.m. and take place in various legs, consisting of several miles a day in 50-60 degree water, spanning several days. While the training is arduous and the challenge is daunting, Robby finds motivation in the memory his father. “My dad always prided himself on being the guy that brought people together,” says Robby, “and I think that’s what we should shoot for too.”

Bob Schlesinger swam lake Tahoe 23 years ago while his son was still an infant. When Robby was 15, his father was injured in a car accident that eventually left him with severe chronic pain. After years of struggling with his condition, Bob Schlesinger took his own life.

As his family grieved,

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