June Newsletter
In This Issue
Interested in Volunteering?

We are always looking for more volunteers! Current volunteer opportunities include: Support Group Leaders, Camp Erin-LA (male  volunteers  needed for August!), Special Events, and Administrative Assistance.


Volunteer Testimonials

"My weekend at Camp Erin-LA was amazing! I was luckily paired with other incredible volunteers and a wonderful group of 14-17 year old girls.  We laughed, we cried, they made lasting friendships and it was beautiful to witness.  It is rare to be in a place where a large group of people are going through exactly what you are going through; and watching those girls find each other and learn from each other was something I will never forget.  I can't wait to be back in August for round two. Thank you, OUR HOUSE, for putting together such a great weekend for the campers and volunteers!"

- Jordan
Camp Erin-LA Volunteer


"Camp  Erin-LA was great. This is my 2nd time back, but it felt like my 4th or 5th time. Just like last year I found myself leaving having learned about myself while interacting with these amazing young men. I had 11-13 yr olds and I'm blown away from there quiet strength. I hope I had at least half the impact on them that they've had on me. "

- Jonte
Camp Erin-LA Volunteer
 


Upcoming Dates

  • Volunteer Training
    • July 6, 13, 20
  • CEU Training
    • July 27-29
  • Camp Erin-LA 
    • August 19-21 
  • Night for Hope
    • November 16

Grief and Father's Day
On Father's Day we celebrate, honor, and remember the person who filled the role of dad in our lives. Store displays and billboards constantly remind us that Father's Day is meant to be filled with traditional joyous family gatherings. As the third Sunday of June approaches, grievers are left to ponder how this Father's Day will be different. Whether it was a father, mother, grandparent, sibling, child, or other someone special who died, the reality is: things won't be the same this year.
While we cannot prevent Father's Day from occurring, you do have a choice as to how you will spend the day. Consider balancing time with other with some alone time; this can make the day more bearable. It can be comforting to write out a card or poem expressing your sentiments and then decide what you will do with it. Do something traditional, or create new traditions. 
We would love to hear your thoughts and ideas. Please send them to ourhouse@ourhouse-grief.org.
Camp Erin-LA

We had an amazing time at camp last weekend! 

The weekend of June 10-12, 75 campers ages 6-17 attended Camp Erin-LA at Camp Bloomfield in Malibu. The annual weekend-long summer camp included typical camp activities like swimming and singing songs around a campfire, coupled with projects for the children to learn grief coping strategies. 

Camp Erin-LA is a special resource for grieving children in the area, as they are able to connect with other children who are experiencing similar grief. Camp launched Friday with a Memory Board Ceremony, where each child was able to discuss who they were attending in remembrance of and placed their loved one's photo on a board which remained posted through the weekend. During camp weekend the kids participated in a variety of activities including a dance party, grief walk where they discussed emotions they experience during their grief journey, interacted with therapy dogs and mini horses, created luminaries in remembrance of their person, participated in a variety of arts activities, and much more. On Sunday afternoon, their friends and families came to attend the Closing Ceremony, where each cabin performed their Cabin Cheer and Cabin Skit for the audience.



A special thank you goes out to our volunteers who took many hours out of their schedule to train for camp, as well as devoted an entire weekend to grieving children. We couldn't have done it without you. Thank you.

We are excited to meet our campers for August!

"Camp Erin-LA helped me realize that I am not alone in my grief. I have other people helping and supporting me every step of the way. I have made new friends and I am thankful for Camp Erin-LA."
- June 2016 Camper, Age 14

Applications are available for our 2016
August Camp Erin - LA session
August 19-21  

Continuing Education Training

Grief Specialist Training For Professionals
 
July 27, 28, and 29 (Wed-Fri) -- 8:45am-5pm
West Los Angeles

This 3-day intensive training provides in-depth education including intervention strategies and hands-on practice for those who wish to become a Grief Specialist for children and adults. This training provides 21 CEUs.

Register by July 13th and save!
OUR HOUSE is Expanding
OUR HOUSE is excited to announce we are expanding our work space in our West Los Angeles location. In addition to two new group rooms, there are 7 new work spaces and a new reception area currently under construction across the hall. Soon we will be able to further serve the community by offering more support groups in the new space. Keep posted for more details!
OUR HOUSE is Hiring
Bookkeeper (Part-Time)

OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center is hiring a new bookkeeper immediately to work for 20 hours per week to maintain our financial records, process payments and deposits, and more. Click here for  the full job description and compensation details.

Clinical Coordinator (Full-Time)

We are currently hiring for a full-time clinical position available in our Adults program. This position will report to the Assistant Clinical Director of Adult Programs. The candidate will be responsible for conducting in-house support groups, working with volunteer group leaders, coordinating CEU workshops, and other duties . Click  here   for  full job description and compensation details.

Associate Development Manager (Full-Time)

The Associate Development Manager is a new position at OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center. As OUR HOUSE launches into our second three-year Strategic Plan with heightened attention to donor cultivation and our annual Run For Hope 5k, there is an increased need to build a strong team that will reach fundraising goals, establish deep  relationships  with current and prospective donors, and create new giving opportunities. Click here for the full job description and compensation details.