Aug 2 2010
The Highmark Caring Place has served more than 60,000 grieving families and community members since the first location opened in Pittsburgh in 1997. Since then, additional facilities have opened in Erie, Lemoyne and Warrendale, Pa. To further extend the reach of the facility-based support services available to children and families in need, the Caring Place has launched a redesigned website to assist families in need who are unable to participate in onsite activities.
"For more than 13 years, we have been helping grieving children and families, and we have discovered the need to expand and enhance the services to those who need us, but don't live close to one of our community-based facilities," said Caring Place Director Terese Vorsheck. "Our enhanced website highlights the role of the Caring Place, and it provides a variety of useful tools and reference materials for families and professionals who seek grief and bereavement resources."
The new site, www.highmarkcaringplace.com, has information available for individuals grieving the death of a loved one and for others who seek information on how to support a grieving child or adult. Site features include:
- A video tour of the Caring Place
- Special sections for grieving children and teens
- Volunteer opportunities
- Starting a Caring Team for Children
- "In their words" stories from those who have walked the road of grief
- Commemorating the Caring Place's third annual Children's Grief Awareness Day on Nov. 18, 2010
- Reference materials in Spanish