*Please note that all programs are supported by funds donated by individuals or corporate sponsors or generated from fundraising events staffed by our own volunteers.
Dreams from Drake uses its funds to support several projects, including the following:
Dreams from Drake was thrilled to host Monroe County’s first bereavement camp for children and teens grieving the loss of a sibling or parent. In 2015, DFD paired with Visiting Nurse Services and Pittsford Youth Service to offer a three-day bereavement camp, Camp Heartstrings/Camp Dreams, and it will be held again in 2016. There is never a cost to participants. Developed and coordinated by professional grief counselors, the camp promotes understanding, acceptance, healing and hope through a comprehensive program of activities such as crafts, yoga, music, pet therapy, games, and summer fun.
Healing Circles of Hope is a monthly support group specifically for children and teens who have lost a sibling or parent/guardian. Each event is centered on a social activity which will provide children the opportunity to engage in healthy activities and helpful discussions about their lost loved one.
We provide children who have lost a sibling or parent with a birthday gift given in memory of their lost loved one. All gifts are given with the intent to support the learning-to-heal process.
To provide families who recently lost a child with a meal(s), either through a gift card or treats from Wegmans, to ensure that they continue to provide themselves and their families with the nutrients needed to move through each day.
To provide children from impoverished backgrounds with gifts during the holiday season to ensure that all children are remembered and to guarantee that Drake’s “sharing is caring” motto shines during the holiday giving season. If you would like to donate a gift for this year’s project, please have items to the Pettit’s by Dec. 12. Any money donated will be used to purchase toys/gifts. (Hundreds and hundreds of gifts were donated to Dreams from Drake and given to St. Peter’s Kitchen who provides gifts to financially-challenged families who visit St. Peter’s to “shop” for presents for their children. Dreams from Drake was proud to be the largest private gift donor in 2012.)
To provide children and families with literature that has proven helpful in understanding and dealing with grief. There are several books that discuss the grieving process that are written for both younger and adult audiences. Our family found some to be more helpful than others. We would like to share these resources by giving books to the caretakers affected by the loss of a child and/or to a child/teen affected by the loss of a sibling/parent. For a list of books and other helpful resources, please click here.
We provide children and their families with a card to let them know that they’re always being thought about, and reminding them that they have made it through another month.
In the future with additional funding, Dreams from Drake will support programs aimed specifically at providing children and teens who have lost a sibling or a parent with scholarships that will allow them to participate in athletic, music and/or art-based community programs in an effort to help these children and teens continue to live healthy and thriving lives. Our family has found that athletics, music, and art have all proven therapeutic for Drake’s siblings as they move through the grieving process, and we hope to provide others with the opportunity to take advantage of similar programs.