Hearts in Strings - Spring 2021 - Healing Hearts in a Virtual World

Aug 26, 2026

SPRING 2021 issue of “hearts strings” highlighting how the Children’s Bereavement Center sustained grief support during the coronavirus pandemic. The newsletter explains the strategic shift to virtual telehealth counseling and Zoom-based peer support groups starting in March 2020, including interactive activities for children and caregivers. It shares caregiver testimonials on emotional growth, normalization of loss experiences, and smoother transitions when moving online, while noting a later return to on-site counseling for the youngest children.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

IN THIS ISSUE

Making Self-Care a Priority During a Difficult Time

We Keep Building Together!

Hearts in Harmony at Home Gala

Share Your Story

Board of Directors

Advisory Board

Friends of the CBCst Board

Letter from Friends

205 West Olmos Drive, San Antonio, Texas 78212 (210) 736-4847 h e a r t s t r i n g s SPRING 2021 HEALING HEARTS IN A VIRTUAL WORLD h e a r t s t r i n g s SPRING 2021 IN THIS ISSUE Making Self-Care a Priority During a Difficult Time We Keep Building Together! Hearts in Harmony at Home Gala T his time last year our entire world was turned upside down and, despite the obstacles of the pandemic, we knew that the effects of grief would not stop. We knew that our services were needed now more than ever before. We made the strategic move to pivot to virtual counseling sessions in March of 2020. This form of telehealth would allow our counselors to continue to interact with clients and safely continue our peer support groups which have proven to be an effective tool for families. Hosting groups virtually on Zoom seemed like a foreign concept, but our counselors were up for the challenge and determined to continue to serve their clients. Children and their caregivers adapted well to the change and were excited to see their counselors in a new virtual space. Although many children missed the toys and art supplies we offer at the Center, they were glad to be able to connect with their peers and discuss their individual losses in a safe way. Our counselors also adapted to this virtual space by creating fun and interactive activities like scavenger hunts, using the whiteboard feature on Zoom to identify emotions, and playing games to help identify coping skills. Peer support groups work to normalize and validate a death loss experience and switching to virtual groups did not impact the overall purpose of groups. One of the caregivers, Salina, attends virtual support groups with her children Marshall (6) & Madeline (4). Salina is so grateful for the support she has received from the Center after the death of her husband, stating, “Ih ave seen such emotional growth in my kids. Although the virtual setting is different, my kids are able to talk to others that have experienced a similar loss and I can see how that helps them process their loss.” Salina is grateful for virtual support groups providing an outlet for her children, Marshall & Madeline Another caregiver, Shellie, also opened up about how virtual support groups helped her family after the unexpected death of her husband. Her son Sean (13) and daughter Sophia (8) were participating in-person peer support groups prior to the quarantine, so Shellie worried that the transition to virtual support groups would be difficult. To her surprise, Sean and Sophia transitioned with ease and said, “They came out of their rooms that first night with smiles and said it felt like they were all in the same room, connecting like nothing was different!” Hearing from these families has helped us understand the impact of our work and the Shellie and her children, Sean and Sophia, have enjoyed every moment of virtual support groups role we play in the grief process. We are so proud of our counseling team for facing the challenge of virtual support head on and working through every obstacle in their way to continue to heal hearts. share your story We want to hear from you! Sharing your story can help us reach families struggling with their grief. BoarD oF DIreCtors Scott Gruendler – Chairman Jimmie Keenan – Vice Chairman Connie Gilbert – Secretary Roberto “Bobby” Rios – Treasurer Mallory Ahl Omar Akhil Anthony “Tony” Bartys Yonnie Blanchette Tom Coyle Craig Davis Dana Deaton Beverly Duke Lauren Ferrero Frances Gonzalez Manda Kelley Scotty Macdaniel James Maxey Rajiv Rajani, MD Chris Rulon Ryan Sullivan Candace Tottenham Debra F. Weems aDVIsory BoarD F. Michael & Jodi Wood – Chairmen Janie & James Worth – Vice Chairmen Margaret Berton, Ph.D. Patricia Bose Carolyn Brown Laura Nell & Trace Burton Sallie & Barry Chasnoff Mary Beth Fisk Linda Fugit Susan & Bill Galbreath Julianna Hawn Holt Janet & Boxy Hornberger Susan & John Kerr Kitty &

FAQs

Why did the Center pivot to virtual counseling sessions in March 2020?

The Center needed to continue serving families despite pandemic obstacles and restrictions that made on-site services impossible.

How did peer support groups work when hosted virtually on Zoom?

Counselors adapted by using interactive tools and activities, and families were still able to connect and discuss losses safely; the purpose of the groups remained unchanged.

Were virtual services as effective for all children?

On-site counseling was reinstated for the youngest children because virtual services were not as effective for that age group.

Aug 26, 2026

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