Print Article SCHOOL SERVICES
Patch Club: In-School Peer Support Groups
Healing Patch staff and/or volunteers co-facilitate 6-week peer support groups with school personnel (i.e. school counselor, social worker, etc.). Through group discussions and various activities, the following are addressed among peers:
- issues surrounding the death
- feelings
- fears & worries
- memories
- changes and rebuilding
Grief Education in the Classroom
Upon request, Healing Patch staff and/or volunteers provide an interactive, 45-minute presentation for 7th or 8th grade students to help them gain an understanding of the following:
- the normal feelings and responses often associated with the grief process
- how to support a peer who is grieving
- positive ways of coping
- where to find supportive services through their school and community
Educational In-Services
Healing Patch staff and/or volunteers present educational workshops/in-services to school personnel, Parent-Teacher Organization members, or groups of parents/caregivers on various grief-related topics. The goal is to provide the following:
- an awareness of the needs of grieving children
- knowledge of the needs of grieving children at different developmental stages
- how to support a grieving child
- information regarding available community resources for grieving children
- an understanding of Children’s Grief Awareness Day
To Arrange Services:
Contact Healing Patch Staff:
Cambria County Schools: Melody Ray, Healing Patch Coordinator, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 814-947-7200
Bedford/Blair County Schools: Shalen Steinbugl, Healing Patch Volunteer Coordinator/Grief Specialist, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 814-947-7140
COMMUNITY SERVICES
Community Education
Healing Patch staff can speak on a variety of topics related to loss, grief, death, and dying. These educational presentations can be customized as requested for Rotary organizations, Kiwanis Clubs, Parent-Teacher Organizations, and other civic or community groups. Please contact Healing Patch staff to coordinate.
Lending Library
The Healing Patch offers an extensive library of more than 400 grief-related resources that are available to anyone in the community. Complete this form or contact Shalen Steinbugl, Volunteer Coordinator/Grief Specialist, at 814-947-7140 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to borrow any of the resources in our library. A list of available resources is shared here.
Children's Bereavement Cards
Sending a card to someone who is grieving the death of a loved one is a tangible way to show care and concern. Cards for adults can be found at many stores, but cards for children are much harder to access. Healing Patch participants contributed artwork and messages for the creation of the card designs (samples below) that be accessed here to print.
1-Suzanne Kozeiel
2-Bobbi Castelluci
3-Rick Hettinger
4-Ashley Plunket
5-Shirley Zitzlsperger
6-Melvin Marlett
7-Bob Pennington
8-Dana Fogal
9-Melissa Calderwood
10-Tracy Thompson
11-Paul McAleer
12-Bob Pennington
13-Sharon Green
14-Linda Stotler
15-Dave Helsel
16-Tony Roefaro
17-Stephanie Roefaro
18-Tony Roefaro
19-Ashley Plunkett
20-Cristal Lidwell
21-Ashley Plunket
22-Mayleigh Ritchey
23-Christine Bollman
24-Lori Zatek
25-Ashley Plunkett
26-Emily Proffitt
27-Karen Rhinehart
28-Julia Glunt
29-Don Corl
30-Ashley Plunket
31-Paul McAleer
32-Christine Bollman
33-Shawn Jones
34-Dave + April
35-Tony Roefaro
36-Jen Noel
37-Tia Brown
38-Dave + April
39-Curtis Harclerode
40-Paul McAleer
41-Nick Castellucci
42-Tony Roefaro
43-Selma Caskey
44-Paul McAleer
45-Sarah McAdam
46-Bev Hicks
47-Summer Tomlinsm
48-Livi Helsel
49-Andrew Nguyen
50-Donna Meiser
51-Patrick Gourn
52-Christine Bollman
53-Kim Helsel
54-Luke Mickle
55-Tony Roefaro
56-Ashley Plunkett
57-Elaine Decker
58-Selma Caskey
59-Paul McAleer
60-Abby Harker
61-Christine Bollman
62-Bev Hicks
63-Colleen Deleo
64-Rob Kaminski
65-Don Corl
66-Katie Hall
67-Tawonde Snyder
68-Steven Galo
69-Dave + April
70-Paul McAleer
71-Kim Helsel
72-Jack Pecherski
73-Julia Glunt
74-Paul McAleer
75-Emily Proffitt
76-Michelle Miller
77-Bernice Finder
78-Candace Cicero
79-Abby Harker
80-Don Buday
81-Tony Roefaro
82-Lexi Roefaro
83-Bobbi Castelluci
84-Tony Roefaro
85-Tony Roefaro
YOUNG ADULT GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP
In Pennsylvania, more than 580,000 young adults (aged 18-25) are bereaved after the loss of a parent or sibling.* The impact of those who have lost a grandparent, aunt/uncle, or other significant person is even greater. When a significant person dies, a young adult’s life is turned upside down. Life’s responsibilities of work, college, or other commitments continue as though nothing has changed, but for a grieving young adult, everything has changed.
Research indicates that bereavement can put young adults at higher risk for decreased academic performance, maladaptive behaviors, and psychological distress. These challenges are often made worse when coping resources are inadequate. The Healing Patch seeks to equip young adults with appropriate resources, including a safe environment for grieving young adults to connect with others who are going through similar experiences.
Peer Support Group
Young adults can choose to join in the meal and opening circle with other Healing Patch participants before breaking into age-specific groups. Young adults (aged 18-25) gather in their own room with specially trained volunteers. Volunteers facilitate discussion for young adults to share their experiences and emotions related to the death and grief. By relating to others who are also grieving, young adults can find that hope and healing are possible. Groups are held two evenings each month from September through May (Tuesday or Wednesday groups) at the Healing Patch center at 20 Sheraton Drive, Altoona. A virtual option is also available.
Enrollment
Enrollment may happen any time after the loss occurs. To enroll, simply call 1-800-445-6262 and ask for Healing Patch.
APPLICATION FORMS
Thank you for your recent call to the Healing Patch…A Program for Loss & Hope. The Healing Patch offers a safe place where children and families come to know that they are not alone in their grief. We provide family members opportunities to work on their grief experience with others that have encountered a similar loss. Sharing feelings and experiences in an atmosphere of acceptance, families discover that what they are going through is normal and that hope and healing are possible. Available at no cost to families, The Healing Patch is open to children of all ages (preschool up to age 18) who can benefit from a peer support group.
Please refer to your initial email for the date/time of your family orientation at UPMC Home Healthcare (20 Sheraton Dr. Altoona, PA 16601). The orientation will provide an opportunity for your family to learn more about our services and possibly meet other grieving families. Please make every effort to attend. All families are required to participate in a Family Orientation prior to enrollment. If for some reason you should have a conflict with scheduling, other arrangements will be made. If you are unable to attend, please contact the Healing Patch staff for your group listed below. You are also welcome to bring material/clothing to have a memory bear made for the child(ren).
Tuesday group - Healing Patch Coordinator Melody Ray - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 814-947-7200
Wednesday group - Healing Patch Volunteer Coordinator/Grief Specialist - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 814-947-7140
Please take a moment to complete both of the forms below. If you choose to print, please bring these completed forms along with you to the scheduled Family Orientation.
Family Application | Print Version
Individual Child Application (must be completed for each child) | Print Version
