UPLIFT is a free monthly program by The Lonon Foundation for ages 5-17 and runs from August-May.
UPLIFT monthly activities focus on play and mindfulness, and help children build friendships with those who share similar experiences. UPLIFT’s activities and materials empower families by giving them the tools to cope with the stress, fear, confusion, and anxieties related to a parent’s cancer diagnosis.
Our UPLIFT program is designed and implemented by a Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) to ensure that program content is developmentally appropriate and founded in theories of play and coping. Our CCLS is trained to provide support to children, adolescents, and their families through difficult life events and to help them cope with the stress and uncertainty of illness, injury, disability, and loss.
The CCLS, with the support of student volunteers, implements a variety of therapeutic modalities including play, visual, auditory, and tactile self-expression activities, and stress reduction techniques using a family-centered care model.
All student volunteers complete Darkness to Light training as well as additional training on how to work with children going through traumatic experiences.
Want to learn more about what a Child Life Specialist does? Read more.
