By LINN ANN HUNTINGTON
CFLE
Children do not grieve in the same way that adults do. That has been the experience of Ann G. Leiker, a retired social worker, who has spent more than 30 years helping people, including children, deal with grief and loss.
A free event is coming up on Saturday, July 22, to help children deal with the loss of a special person in their life. That person could be a sibling, parent, other family member, special teacher, or friend.
The “Summer Healing Kids’ Hearts Event” will take place from 4 to 7:30 p.m. at the Hays Aquatic Park, Fourth and Main in Hays. The Center for Life Experience, Inc., in Hays is sponsoring the event, which is open to children ages 6 through 11.
Leiker, who chaired the organizing committee, said, “Children express their grief more through their actions than words. They don’t have a lot of the language yet to express their grief adequately.
“So children often express their grief through creative, artistic behaviors,” she said. “Or, they may retreat into silence because they don’t want to upset their parents, who are dealing with grief themselves.
“Children are the forgotten mourners,” Leiker said. “It’s not deliberate on a family’s part. The family is just so overwhelmed by grief themselves.”
This event is designed to “allow time for children to bond with other children who have experienced a loss,” Leiker said.
Pre-registration is required by calling the center at (785) 259-6859 by Friday, July 14. Space is limited to 20 children.
Family members must check-in their children at 4 p.m. at the pavilion behind the Aquatic Park. If they wish, family members may return at 5:30 p.m. for a free taco dinner, sharing time, and swimming, Leiker said.
For children and family members who have pre-registered, a free taco bar dinner will be provided at 5:30 p.m. in the pavilion. The taco bar is being donated by Taco Grande in Hays. Registered children and family members will have time to swim in the pool afterwards.
The Center for Life Experience first started sponsoring a spring daylong “Healing Kids’ Hearts Retreat” in 2016. Over the years, the retreats have drawn children from across Central and Western Kansas. This is the first time the center has sponsored a shorter summer event for children. Leiker said next year’s retreat for children will be held in March 2024.
“Kids need to know what healthy grieving is. They can take their memories and create things—turn them into ways to honor their loved one,” she said.
In addition to Taco Grande, Leiker expressed her appreciation to the following for their help with the event: Hays Recreation Commission, volunteers with HaysMed Hospice, and ITC Great Plains, LLC.