Mountain Pathway is a program created by Hospice of Hope to fulfill a need of a family-focused grief program within our communities. For several years, Hospice of Hope had been a part of larger metropolitan grief programs however; they were not addressing the needs of our own service area with specific interest in summer school support. Mountain Pathway in Kentucky will be held July 19th at the Maysville YMCA, while the Ohio date will be held August 2nd at the Clermont County YMCA.
Mountain Pathway was chosen as a theme to accurately communicate the challenges of grief. “Facing the pain of grief is like climbing a mountain. When we walk and climb together we can make better progress”. A “camp” theme is intertwined throughout the entire day and includes a trail guide’s welcome, campfire songs, and base camp activities. A backpack is given to each participant with specific contents that are symbolic of survival skills / coping mechanisms of grief.
This program is a highly valuable tool to help young people cope with grief & loss. Highly skilled chaplains are there to help guide and educate children to embrace grief and to teach them that death & dying is a very natural stage of life but most importantly to teach them that they are not alone. Mountain Pathway recently received awards in Kentucky and Ohio for its innovation and leadership. If you are interested in learning more about the 2008 Mountain Pathway programs call Peg Lynch at Hospice of Hope at 800-928-4243.