Project to Aid Cancer Victims’ Children

The Wellness Community plans to start a new free program for children whose parents or grandparents have cancer.

Armed with $6,500 in grants from the city of Thousand Oaks and the Westlake Village Junior Women’s Club, the Wellness Community will hire licensed psychotherapists to conduct four-week sessions for groups of up to 20 children age 5 to 12 and a separate parents’ group.

The nonprofit agency also hopes to offer a monthly support group for teenagers, said Joyce Boucher, a clinical social worker who will coordinate the program.

With the help of trained professional counselors, support groups will use play, drawing, art, music and special activities to help children communicate their feelings in a safe environment with other kids facing similar problems, Boucher said.

“Participating in a support group can help a child avoid depression, a sense of guilt, isolation and behavioral problems,” she said.

The first sessions will begin early next year.

Meanwhile, the Wellness Community will form a task force of volunteers to alert schools, hospitals and other agencies about the new program.

Boucher is seeking task force volunteers, particularly employed or retired school principals, teachers, nurses, psychologists, social workers, clergy and anyone familiar with marketing or the school system.

For details about the new support program or to volunteer, call 379-4777.