Rainbows announces winter program for children

SPARTA— Rainbows, a special organization for young children suffering a painful loss at home due to death, divorce, illness, incarceration, or other family transitions, will launch its fall program for Sussex County youngsters 5 through 14. Sponsored by the Sparta Ecumenical Council, the weekly sessions will be held at the Sparta United Methodist Church, at the corner of Sparta Avenue and the Route 517 bypass, in Sparta Township. Rainbows is a nonprofit international organization that fosters emotional healing for children grieving a loss from a life-altering crisis at home. Today, one in two children will live in a single-parent home at some time during their childhood, one in three is born to unmarried parents, and one in four lives with only one parent. The program was started in 1983 and has grown to include chapters in 49 states and 16 foreign countries. Its basic approach is children providing peer support for one another. Small groups meet to discuss topics ranging from anger and guilt to forgiveness. Rainbows is not counseling or therapy, but rather a nurturing environment created to allow the children to share their experiences and support each other. Adult volunteers are trained as “loving listeners” to facilitate individual groups. Sessions run 45 minutes. In addition to having discussion time, the children play games, do art projects, sing, and write in their journals. The ultimate goal is for the youngsters to work through their grief and begin healing their broken hearts.