The+Alcove



//**The Mission:**// The mission of The Alcove is to provide a safe and comfortable place for children and their families who are grieving the death of a loved one. Here they can find the support they need to get them through the healing process. The Alcove offers facilities for for adults and children, these include:


 * Peer support groups for ages 3 to 18
 * Adult support groups for surviving parents (This includes grandparents, parents, and guardians.)
 * A facilitated volunteer who has completed at least 30 hours of intensive training
 * All groups are FREE OF CHARGE
 * Children participate in play therapy, art, music, and storytelling to discuss their bereavement

The Alcove was founded in 2001 by Pat Smith and Mindy Shemtov. Both Smith and Shemtov are master level social workers and therapists with years of personal and professional level experience in grief work. The new Alcove Center in Northfield is now about 3000 sq. feet and consists of rooms that are decorated appropriately for every age group. It promotes a comfortable atmosphere those in grief. A school program has also been added in 2005 to help students her were unable to make it to visit the counseling center. Pat Smith has recently retired but the Alcove is ever-growing.
 * //A Little Bit of History://**

Call 609-484-1133 and ask for Tobi for more information or to schedule an inservice meeting. If you have students troubled by death in your class, please:
 * //School Personnel://**
 * Ask the student what he/she wants to know about death or funeral arrangements, etc.
 * Talk to the class about how death affects them and encourage them to talk about how they feel.
 * Discuss how difficult it may be for a classmate to return to school.
 * Provide a way for your class to reach out to their grieving classmate and his/her family.
 * Provide flexibility and support to your grieving student upon his/her return to class.

With its continuous expansion and being run solely by the help of benefactors and volunteers, The Alcove is a successful non-profit business that gives back to the community. Through The Alcove website at [|www.thealcove.org], you can help sponsor a child and help pay for their expenses which include pizza and beverages, arts and crafts supplies, and other necessities for the bereavement group. The Alcove is heavily supported by outside groups such as Mainland Regional High School, The College of New Jersey, and even Richard Stockton College who recently organized Operation Share the Love to raise $2,400 charity money for the organization. These groups believe in the effectiveness of The Alcove and put their time and effort into its success.
 * //Effectiveness://**

**To become a member of the Alcove or contact for other services: Phone: 609-484-1133 Fax: 609-484-3188 Mail or Visit: The Alcove Center for Grieving Children and Families 950 Tilton Rd, Suite 108 Northfield, NJ 08225**

Turn onto Tilton Road heading West. We are on left, past Friendly's, then Prudential Fox & Roach then turning left into very next building's (Northfield All Pro/Atlantic Cape Orthopedics) driveway to Broadcast Center's office suites in rear. Heading East on Tilton Road, we are on the right. Go through the 4th traffic light (Burton Ave. with JC MIller Auto Parts on right) and turn right into the 3rd driveway / Northfield All Pro-Atlantic cape Orthopedics to Broadcast Center's office suites in rear.
 * __Directions:__**
 * From Route 9 (approximately 2/10 mile): **
 * From Garden State Parkway South Exit 36 or Shore Mall (approximately 1.5 miles):**