In this issue:

Kara's Spring Volunteer Training
Camp Erin Application Deadline Extended
Kara's Annual Fundraiser: The Spring Thing
Next Introduction to Kara Tour: March 11

Kara's Spring Volunteer Training Kara couldn't do the work that it does without our dedicated team of program volunteers. They give generously of their time and heart to help Kara's clients on their journey through grief to hope and healing. Kara will be offering a training program in late April/early May for new volunteers who wish to work in our Youth and Family Program, either as facilitators in our ongoing groups for children and parents or as counselors at this summer's Camp Erin. Our volunteers who work with grieving children find it incredibly rewarding. In the words of one of our group facilitators, "Being a volunteer facilitator has been a great experience for me. It helps me continue my own personal growth and healing. I am inspired after each evening I volunteer!" To learn more about these volunteer opportunities, you are invited to attend an informational meeting on either Monday, March 22 or Monday, March 29. Both meetings will take place at Kara's main office at 457 Kingsley Avenue, Palo Alto from 7-8:30pm. If you are planning to attend, please call the office and let us know: (650) 321-5272 or email to info@kara-grief.org. For more information about volunteering and a complete training schedule, click here.

Camp Erin Application Deadline Extended Kara's Camp Erin, a free camp for grieving children and teens, will take place at beautiful Camp Arroyo in Livermore from Friday, July 30 through Sunday, August 1. The application deadline has been extended until Monday, March 8, so please help us spread the word about the camp. Camp Erin offers an opportunity for the campers to learn how to cope with their grief while also enjoying traditional camp activities - swimming, hiking, a ropes course, a climbing wall, a chalk garden and much more. In the word of one of last year's campers: "Camp Erin helped by letting me know that I'm not alone. That it's OK to cry or show emotion and no matter what, to have fun." - Hannah, Age 10 For additional information about Camp Erin, click here.

Kara's Annual Fundraiser: The Spring Thing, May 23 On Sunday, May 23, we will host Kara's Spring Thing 2010: The Secret Garden, our gala fundraiser, at the Sofitel San Francisco Bay in Redwood Shores. "The Secret Garden," a classic children's book by Frances Hodgson Burnett, tells the story of Mary, a young girl who has lost both of her parents to cholera; her invalid cousin Colin, whose father is grieving after the death of his wife, and a young boy named Dickon, who befriends them. Together the three children find an abandoned garden, and in the process of restoring the garden to its former beauty, they are able to find inspiration and relief from their grief. They even manage to help Colin's father heal from the loss of his wife. The book's message - that you can find hope after someone close to you has died - is so closely aligned with Kara's mission that we chose "The Secret Garden" as the theme for this year's gala. We will celebrate spring with an abundance of flowers and an evening of fun while raising essential funds to support Kara's programs. This year we will be honoring Carol Zepecki, director of special education and student services for the Palo Alto Unified School District. Carol has been a great supporter of Kara's work in the Palo Alto schools and we look forward to thanking her publicly. We hope to see you at the Sofitel on May 23. Click here for more information.

Next Introduction to Kara Tour: March 11 Kara hosts monthly one-hour introductory tours for those who wish to learn more about our programs and services. You are cordially invited to learn about how you might help to support and sustain Kara programs and services. The next tour will be given on Thursday, March 11 at noon. An RSVP to Stephanie@kara-grief.org is helpful but not required. Tours are now at Kara's main office at 457 Kingsley Ave., Palo Alto. Snacks will be provided. Tours are given on the 2nd Thursday of each month. A complete schedule can be found on our web site. Note: The Kara Tour is not designed for potential clients seeking support services. Please call Kara directly (650-321-5272) to discuss support services for yourself or another. Click to see the 2010 Tour Schedule

Contact Us

457 Kingsley Ave
Palo Alto, CA 94301
650-321-5272

Office hours are M-Th 9AM to 4PM, Fr 9AM to 1PM Pacific time.
Here is a map to our office.

Kara is the Gothic root of the word "care."
It means to reach out, to care, to lament, to grieve with.