Home Page What is Hospice Who We Are Who Needs Us Services Offered Cost of Care Donate Volunteer Testimonials Photo Gallery Resources Contact Us Night of Hope Auction "A woman told me, 'Every night for a week after my father died, I kept seeing him on my front porch. I should have given him a broom.'" - Wings of Hope Hospice caregiver	Created in 2003, the "Seabiscuit" program uses the expressive arts to aid middle school students in coping with their grief. The original student participants named the program after the famous racehorse Seabiscuit which affirmed hope that they too could become "winners" like the underdog equine hero. Seabiscuit discreetly uses time during the school day to gather the teens for a series of activities which the students find quite enjoyable and which do not negatively label them as different or troubled. While the students know they have been chosen due to some major life loss, the term grief is seldom used. The artwork and writing produced by the kids conveys poignant and beautiful expressions of their losses and their grieving. Seabiscuit utilizes three different art approaches so that students who have different skill sets may better find an art form suited to them. There are sessions with a writer/poet who inspires the students to 'fling fire onto the page' and a classical cellist and composer who helps to create melodic pathways for the writing. A third artist uses clay, found objects and other materials to awaken emotions and give them form. The true significance of this program lies in the success it has had helping young teenagers learn healthy ways to express emotions related to grief and therefore reduce their risk of withdrawal, self-medication through drugs, or antisocial behavior. Seabiscuit teaches grief expression with a very light touch which avoids the pitfall that teenage grievers will perceive it as "counseling" and mobilize their resistance and defenses. Thus while they are having enjoyable sessions with three dynamic and talented artists, they are producing potent and moving expressions of grief. For more information, please email us here or call 269-686-8659 or 800-796-2676.	General Services ... Grief Support Services... Area Support Groups Support for Teens Spiritual Care Services... Community Education ... Cost of Care... Wondering how you can obtain our services? Simply call the Wings of Hope Hospice. Since physician certification is required, we can contact your doctor on your behalf about becoming a hospice patient. Physicians can also call our office directly to refer you to our services. We are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call us anytime. General Guidelines to Determine Hospice Admission (PDF)
Wings of Hope Hospice | 530 Linn Street, Suite A, Allegan, Michigan 49010 | 269-686-8659 | 800-796-2676 | Email
Home Page | What is Hospice | Who We Are | Who Needs Us | Services Offered | Cost of Care Donate | Volunteer | Testimonials | Photo Gallery | Resources | Contact Us | Notice of Privacy