LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Like many of us, kids and teens are also dealing with coronavirus-stress.
Now, a Las Vegas-area nonprofit is offering a new platform to help students cope with loss and changes during this pandemic.
Adam’s Place has been holding in-person meetings and going to schools to help kids and teens deal with challenging events in life. But since they’re also practicing social distancing, they’ve now turned to Zoom to reach out to more people who may need their services.
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Adam’s Place was born out of Kelly Thomas-Boyers' own experience after losing her son, Adam, due to a car accident. For more than a decade, it has been a welcoming place for children and teens coping with loss.
Soon after the pandemic hit, Adam’s Place started "Zoom Camp Cope" where kids and teens develop skills to deal with the loss of a loved one and also the changes, stress and anxiety around them.
"We talk about vocabulary, how to identify the feelings they have, where it's coming in the body... we learn coping skills like breathing on techniques, journalin," said Thomas-Boyers.
There are separate virtual meetings targeting different age groups from 5 to 18 years old. Jennifer Butera is a counselor at Kenny Guinn Middle school. Adam’s Place is set to hold in-person sessions with students there this fall.
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Bur right now, Jennifer is working from home, talking with students and doing referrals.
"A lot of students right now are just dealing with COVID-19 whether it's a family member who's sick or a lot of our students are also experiencing the economic instability," she said.
Jennifer says counselors like her are able to help students when they need immediate attention.
"But in terms of that ongoing counseling that they may need, that's not necessarily the role of a school counselor," she said. "So we can have these community providers step in and and really pick up an offer that long-term service that's invaluable for students."
Zoom Camp Cope is free, made possible through the help of volunteers, donors and community partners.
If you are interested in donating or maybe participating in Zoom Camp Cope, go to their website: Adamsplacelv.org
