A $20,000 grant will help support the Rainbows program at the YMCA of Greater Saint John.

The program promotes emotional healing for children and youth experiencing a loss from a life-altering crisis.

It has a curriculum that is designed to assist individuals grieving a death, divorce, or any other painful transition in a safe and supportive environment.

The grant will provide course materials for 170 participants and will support training 12 new facilitators.

“During times of loss, we need our grief to be witnessed and to experience connection with others,” reads a statement from Kerry Casey, facilitator of the YMCA’s Rainbow’s Program.

“The YMCA’s Rainbows program does just that by providing a safe space for kids to feel seen, heard, and understood. Kids learn that they are not alone and that their feelings are normal and evolving.”

The grant was from the Bell Let’s Talk Community Fund.