Families Connect

Cancer Support Community of Greater St. Louis is proud to introduce Families Connect: A Program for children and teens who are impacted by cancer in the family. Funding for this program is provided by the Saigh Foundation.

Call us at 314-238- 2000 or email at info@cancersupportstl.org to learn more about our program for children, teens and families and to set up a meeting to learn more about which of our offerings best fit your family’s needs.

Below is a list of example workshops or groups from our focus areas. Please see our program calendar for a complete list of our programs each month and online registration.    

Education

Workshops with topics such as: How to Talk to Children and Teens about Cancer.

Learn about the ways children understand information about cancer at different developmental stages. Kelly O'Neal, MSW, LCSW, will discuss strategies to have conversations about cancer and ways for families to cope with emotional distress and optimize support.

Healthy Lifestyle/Stress Management

Examples include: Family Yoga, cooking demonstrations, mindfulness, and therapeutic art

Family Yoga
Lisa Roberts, RYT, RCYT and author of Breathe, Chill – A Handy Book of Games and Techniques Introducing Breathing, Relaxation and Meditation to Kids and Teens will offer ongoing sessions for children and families to practice wellness in fun and interesting ways.

Social Opportunities

Examples include: Build Your Own Gingerbread House night, Movie night, Visit to MO Botanical Garden, and Equine Assisted Learning

Families Connect Room and the St. Luke’s Family Resource Library

In partnership with St. Louis Men's Group Against Cancer and St. Luke's Hospital, this family friendly room hosts a variety of materials to support the whole family, the whole time.

Families Connect Story Time

Enjoy Storytime with Gus! A reading of Chemotherapy 101 by Chelsey Gomez

Enjoy Storytime With Gus! A reading of Wherever You Are, My Love Will Find You by Nancy Tillman

A reading of A Boy and a Bear: The Children's Relaxation Book by Lori Lite

A reading of Let My Colors Out by Courtney Filigenzi

Counseling

1:1 and Family Counseling available. Contact Kelly O'Neal, MSW, LCSW, at koneal@cancersupportstl.org for more information.

Support in Schools

Interested in bringing CSCSTL support into your school? Kelly O'Neal, MSW, LCSW,  provides evidence-based presentations, peer support programs, and staff support to any school which has been impacted by cancer. Email koneal@cancersupportstl.org for more information.