Olivia’s House focuses on the power of sharing stories as a way to cope. And, they have created a truly unique way of sharing. It’s called “The Confessional.”K.C. says that they noticed that kids were turning to Facebook as a place to dump their emotions after the loss of a loved one. They were sharing things that weren’t necessarily true… it was just how they felt. It also left them vulnerable.
Journaling is a healthy tool for kids struggling to understand their emotions. “The Confessional,” based off of MTV’s Real World confessional, is a safe and private space at Olivia’s House, where kids can create a video journal where they have an opportunity to unload all of their emotions, questions, anxiety. Scroll down for a video about The Confessional.
K.C. emphasizes the privacy of this video journaling experience, in that only two people will ever see the videos. Himself, as the operator of the camera and mics while filming, and the bereavement specialist who reviews the footage to make sure there is nothing to be concerned about.
He says what is said in there stays in there. No one will approach the child about what was shared and want to talk about it. He says this privacy is truly empowering for a child because they feel open to share things that they may not feel comfortable sharing with a parent or anyone else.
At the end of their program, we’ll ask them what they want us to do with their video journal… Destroy it? Make a DVD copy? K.C. says, “But we do ask each child if they trust us enough to use what they have shared and taught us, to help others. And, every single person says ‘Yes, please do.’”
Leslie Delp, Founder and Bereavement Specialist at Olivia’s House, says “You can’t take away pain but you can help them to be a teacher of their pain.” Sharing stories and wisdom is empowering and is a key part of the healing process. K.C. says, “The goal here is to dispel the belief that they’re alone. You’re not alone.
Olivia's House
830 S. George Street
York, PA 17403
717-699-1133
