Wonders & Worries
U.S. nonprofit organization
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Wonders & Worries is a nonprofit organization (501(c)(3)) based in Austin, Texas, that provides professional support for children through a parent's illness, such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, Lou Gehrig's disease, posttraumatic stress disorder and Alzheimer's disease.[1][2]
- Austin, Texas
| Formation | August 8, 2001 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Meredith Cooper, MA, CCLS, LPC and Melissa Hicks, MS, CCLS, LPC, RPT |
| Location |
|
| Staff | 18 |
| Website | www |
Services are provided without charge in English or Spanish by a Certified Child Life Specialist to families in Central Texas.[3] Pilot programs have been implemented in Raleigh, North Carolina;[4] Ottawa, Canada;[5] and San Antonio, Texas. A randomized clinical trial for the organization's curriculum is underway.[6]
History
Wonders & Worries was launched with the support of the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF), which provided funding in spring 2001 to conduct a pilot support group for children who had a parent with cancer.[7] LAF provided an additional grant in fall 2001 to expand services to include a school-age support group, an adolescent support group, individual counseling for children who have a parent with cancer, and quarterly social functions to reunite Wonders & Worries clients.[8]
Services
Individual Sessions: for children aged 2–18yrs
Group Sessions: helping children aged 5+ meet other children coping with similar experiences
Child/Parent Relationship Training Classes: teaching parents how to reconnect with their children during an illness or following a loss
Informal Support / Recreational Group Activities – allowing families to enjoy being together in a fun, relaxing environment
Bereavement Support Sessions – helping families prepare for the end of life and gain skills that will help them cope with the loss[9]