The start of the school year can bring uncertainty for many students. They may worry about a new school, new teachers or making new friends. Concerns about COVID-19, in-person classes, and whether to wear a mask certainly can add to any anxiety or stress that children may experience.
Students living in Lake, Sumter, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Highlands and Hardee counties in Florida and Cherokee, Cobb, Coweta, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, and Hall counties in Georgia can find affirmation for their feelings and support in a safe environment by participating in Cornerstone’s Kids, a free program, open to children ages 6 – 17.
Cornerstone Hospice children’s bereavement counselor Kristen Nardolillo, LCSW, has lined up a variety of activities in August and September that will help students cope with their emotions whether due to challenges with day-to-day life or due to the loss of a loved one.
Activities include crafts, games, music, yoga and more. Some activities are specifically designed for children in Cornerstone’s children’s bereavement program. Unless noted otherwise, all events begin at 4:30 p.m. and are held virtually.
The August/September activities include:
Crafts – On Thursday, August 12 and Friday, September 3, students will learn to create beautiful oil pastel paintings. On Thursday August 19 and September 16, rocks become the canvas as students participate in a rock painting workshop. Students should register at least a week prior to the workshop so the materials can be mailed to them.
Movie Nights – Get your popcorn ready. The movie “A Goofy Movie” will be shown on Friday, August 27. On Friday, September 24, students will enjoy “Remember the Titans.”
Games – Kids will enjoy the world’s greatest word game, Mad Libs, on Wednesday, September 22.
Music and Dancing – If music is their thing, students will want to jam out during Music Nights on Wednesday, August 11 and Thursday, September 22. Monthly Dance Parties will be held on Friday, August 6 and Thursday, September 30.
Weekly Yoga – Yoga for kids, age 6 -11 is held every Monday, from 4 – 4:30 p.m. Teen yoga, for ages 12 – 17, is held every Tuesday, from 4 – 4:45 p.m.
Nardolillo developed Cornerstone’s Kids to foster fun, friendship and support to area students who may be struggling due to grief or challenges posed by the pandemic.
Registration is required to participate in the Cornerstone’s Kids programs. Instructions for logging into the events, which are held via Zoom video conferencing, are provided upon registration.
Information about Cornerstone’s Kids is available at http://cornerstoneskids.org, by emailing CornerstonesKids@cshospice.org or by calling 866-742-6655.
About Cornerstone Hospice
Cornerstone Hospice is a leading community-owned provider of end-of-life care in Central Florida and North Georgia. For over 37 years Cornerstone has set the standard for hospice care as we serve more than 7,000 people each year in Lake, Sumter, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Hardee and Highlands counties in Florida and Cherokee, Cobb, Coweta, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, and Hall counties in Georgia. For more information, to donate, or to volunteer, call 866-742-6655 or visit www.CornerstoneHospice.org.
