Elijah’s - Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas



Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas

Elijah’s Place

Kids In Divorce Support

What is Elijah’s Place KIDS group?

Elijah’s Place KIDS is an ongoing support group to help children, ages 5-18, cope with the multitude of changes and emotions they experience when their parents separate or divorce. Children grieve differently from adults; for that reason, it is important to allow them to communicate their feelings with other children who can understand. Elijah’s Place KIDS is modeled after the original Elijah’s Place which, since 2003, has provided services to children and their families who have experienced the death of a parent or a sibling. The KIDS group is designed to offer the same type of service to children whose parents have separated or divorced.

Elijah’s Place KIDS provides a setting for age specific group support sessions for the children (5-7, 8-10, 11-13 and 14-18). An educational session is held simultaneously for parents to help them better understand how they can help their children cope with the changes they are experiencing. Parents and children will come to Elijah’s Place KIDS two evenings each month. Participation in the program can last 12 to 18 months, or until the family decides they no longer require the service.

All support sessions are led by trained group facilitators who are supervised by a licensed professional. The evening for families begins with a potluck supper, followed by support groups and wrap up.

How do I begin?

A family may make a self-referral to Elijah’s Place at any time they feel they are ready to begin the support group process. The family should call Elijah’s Place to schedule an intake interview. The family will be asked to complete an intake form and questionnaire prior to the interview. Elijah’s Place recognizes that all families, and each individual family member, grieve differently and therefore must be involved in the decision of when to start the support groups.

The intake interview is conducted in a face-to-face meeting with the Group Coordinator, and consists of reviewing the intake form with the family and speaking with the family members who will participate in Elijah’s Place KIDS groups. When the family is accepted into the program, a commitment is requested of the family to regularly attend the groups. Regular attendance is necessary to build peer support in the groups, thus providing a trusting environment for grief work. The Group Coordinator will place the family in the appropriate support group night when there is an opening.

If you know of a child who is coping with the separation or divorce of his or her parents, please let their family know about Elijah’s Place KIDS.

Families can call (409) 924-4419 to inquire about the intake process.

Catholic Charities provides services to individuals and families regardless of their religious beliefs.



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