Boston Marathon Tragedy: A Message from Bryan Van Dorpe and Resources for YES Families
April 17, 2013
Dear YES Friends and Families,
As many of you know, 8-year-old Martin Richard, was an innocent victim in Monday’s Boston Marathon tragedy. Martin, as well as his siblings and parents, are well-known to many of us here at Youth Enrichment Services (YES) because of their active involvement in our Track & Field Program and Ski & Snowboard Team. Everyone here at YES extends our deepest sympathies to the Richard family during this difficult time.
YES is here to help our youth and families grieve and recover after Monday’s events. We are committed to being a safe place for the YES community and continuing to provide our YES kids with structure and support. Towards that end, programs at YES will continue to operate as scheduled, including next Monday evening’s Track & Field practice.
Several resources are available now for YES families, youth, volunteers, and staff:
• A resource guide is available online here for individuals who seek counseling services or advice on how to talk with their children about Monday’s tragedy.
• Two local vendors, Aetna and AllOne Health, are providing free and confidential access to trained counseling professionals. Counselors are available to provide support to YES families, youth, coaches, volunteers, staff, and friends. They can help individuals get through the immediate aftermath of Monday’s events and provide support on an ongoing basis, if necessary. Aetna and AllOne Health are both making their Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services available to anyone affected by Monday’s events. If you would like to access these EAP services, call 1-888-238-6232 (Aetna) or 1-800-451-1834 (AllOne Health) to speak with counselors over the phone. This is a free and confidential service.
• YES is in the process of scheduling grief counselors who will be available for YES families, youth, volunteers, and coaches. More information will be released in the coming days regarding counseling sessions. Please do not hesitate to contact Bernadette Peeples, Director of Programs, with any specific questions or concerns. You can reach Bernadette at 617-267-5877 ×12 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Many families and friends have also asked us, “How can we help?”
• A fund to support the Richard family has been set up courtesy of the Meetinghouse Bank. Checks can be made payable to The Richard Family Fund and mailed to Meetinghouse Bank 2250 Dorchester Avenue Dorchester, MA 02124.
• Governor Deval Patrick and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino recently announced the formation of The One Fund Boston as a relief fund to help individuals affected by Monday’s tragic events. Donations to The One Fund Boston can be made online at onefundboston.org.
We ask that you continue to keep the Richard family in your prayers and respect their privacy as they grieve and heal. Thank you again for your compassion and kindness during this challenging time.
Sincerely,
Bryan Van Dorpe
Executive Director
Click here to view our resource guide for families and individuals.
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