Child & Youth Studies Students Create, Publish and Launch Books to Help Bereaved Children & Families
Community rallies around Trent Durham project that provides supportive platform for children to express their grief
For children dealing with the loss of a loved one, healing can begin by sharing their pain with someone who knows what to say when many of us are at an utter loss for words.
Trent University Durham GTA recently hosted a book launch unlike any other. Student authors and illustrators from the Children’s Knowledge of Death, Dying and Bereavement course within Child and Youth Studies shared insights and excerpts from Michael Visits Grandpa, Peter’s First Christmas Without Grandma: A Gingerbread Memorial and Damien’s Story. Each designed to normalize one of life’s most difficult topics.
“It’s probably easier to memorize facts, theories and authors but it’s harder to transform that into a real conversation with a child,” states Dr. Alba Agostino, program coordinator and assistant professor.
After participating in workshops, academic research and creative collaboration the students came out of the emotional experience with way more than a hard-earned mark.
Samantha Blondeau, a third-year student in Sociology and Child and Youth Studies, feels the project is an extension of the work she did as a longtime, frontline mental health worker. She wrote Damien’s Story which explores the pain and anger experienced by a child following the suicide of a parent.
“When you find books about the stuff that you are going through, it helps you to not feel so alone,” states Ms. Blondeau.
The published books will be distributed to children via local organizations including libraries, hospitals, hospices, educators and a bereavement centre.
Ms. Blondeau adds, “The idea that kids are going to get to see this, is incredible.”
Bereaved Families of Ontario-Durham Region reviewed submissions from the class and selected three books for publication. Shelley Tanaka, Trent’s 2019-2020 Ashley Fellow, award-winning author and fiction editor of children’s and YA books, also provided her expertise. Finally, Dr. Ralph Chatoor felt compelled to help after he happened to learn about the project during an open house tour of the campus.
“I think the real value in university programs like this is doing things of a practical nature that really make a difference to people,” stated Dr. Chatoor, unit director of the Society of United Professionals which funded the project.
“To me, it is a testament to what Trent Durham is all about,” said Dr. Scott Henderson, dean and head of Trent University Durham GTA. “It is about engagement with the community and our students finding their own voice and abilities. This is really outstanding work.”