Contents of the backpack for teens
When the COVID-19 pandemic caused the cancelation of the annual Salt Lake Hospice Kids Grief Camp, the bereavement clinicians and staff worked together to find a solution to support children who’d lost a parent, grandparent, or sibling on hospice service. After many discussions, it was decided that we could put together backpacks filled with items that could help them process their grief.
Each backpack would contain a reading book on grief, a workbook with activities on dealing with emotions, a journal to write their thoughts, sensory toy when they become overwhelmed, and a craft to help them remember their loved one. A letter was also enclosed that was signed by the hospice social workers, chaplains, manager, and bereavement coordinator to explain the purpose of the backpack. The backpacks were assembled for three different age groups; children ages 5 to 9, adolescents ages 10 to 13, and teens ages 14 to 18.
Then some of the clinicians and staff donned their PPE and went to work assembling 120 backpacks. The completed backpacks were then picked up and delivered by several hospice volunteers to homes all around the Salt Lake Valley, as well as to some in Tooele and Utah County.
We had a great time thinking of a unique way to support these great kids who are struggling with loss.