This is an agency that most never hear about until they have a desperate need for it, but upon hearing, you are so very thankful they exist. This was the case for my family. Our 17 year old daughter was killed in a car accident driving on a Sunday afternoon. She was a senior at Churchill H.S. and had just come from church. We soon heard about the CBCOST and my son and I made a visit. Our son had just lost his only sibling, who was 5 years older than him. We all grieved in our own way, causing each of us to feel a bit lonley. Thank God, the Bereavement Center was filled with other kids his age, each having lost a sibling as well. This was a place where he could go and talk about his feelings, knowing that everyone listening "got it!" While his school friends tried to be helpful and reach out in their way, none had lost a sister, so they were lost as well, not knowing how to help their buddy. The group at the center was very comforting because they could lean on each other and they had the freedom to be listened to without the fear of peers being uncomfortable or wanting to move on. What a Godsend!! We continued going as long as he felt he needed it, which was for a while. This group of kids gave him more than any counselor could ever give him. That's not to say he didn't have a counselor as well, but the importance of people your age who can understand you is priceless! Thank you BCOST! We are forever grateful and look forward to helping others through you for many years to come.
Maria
San Antonio
Review from Guidestar
The Children's Bereavement Center has become a very sacred and special place for our family. Our 21 year old daughter's health condition is terminal and her two young brothers needed a safe place to express their sadness and fears, work through their normal feelings of confusion, grief and pending loss. The center offers counseling for my children as our family prepares for the death of our oldest child and the big sister in our family. Our family didn't deserve this experience..but thanks to the Children's Bereavement Center, we will get through it stronger as a family and as individuals.
There is no way to describe the vacuum created when a child dies. As parents, you barely function. There is no way I could have helped my son through the death of his older brother without the Children's Bereavement Center of South Texas. Suddenly, at 9 years old, he was alone. He lost his best friend, his mentor. The Children's Bereavement Center helped him understand death, address his feelings in a healthy way, and understand that he was not alone.
Additionally, it was a relief to have a designated time every other week, to meet with other parents who had lost children. I could share my experience, vent if I needed to vent, and learn from, and with, them.
They say that, as children age and mature, they deal with traumatic experiences from their past over and over again. I'm thankful that the CBST will always be there for my son.
I love The Children's Bereavement Center. It's an organization with real heart and soul, where I feel I (along with others) can make a positive difference in children and families lives. They have an awesome staff and a group of warm and dedicated volunteers. The time commitment is very 'doable'...I volunteer every other Wednesday evening from 5:30-9:00. It's truly a beautiful place where beautiful caring and healing happens.
My 34 year old husband was killed in a car accident a year ago leaving our 4 and 2 year old boys, orphans and very sad. This is the most difficult trial we have experienced specially because he was an excellent husband, father and person and it is very hard to think we will not have him on this earth. Grieving is a lifetime process and if it wasn't for organizations like the Children Bereavement Center, my children will not have the hope to heal, to feel they are not alone, to have the chance to openly talk about their father and their feelings, to receive the help needed to continue their lives at home and school with confidence and to know that what they say it is important and feel they are important to a lot of people too. I am grateful for CBC and their volunteers for helping us in the process of healing and just what I wrote is very little for all they do for us and many people who suffered a loss.