A cornerstone of VNA’s hospice care is its deeply compassionate bereavement program — designed to walk alongside patients and families not only during hospice care, but long after. Grief doesn’t follow a schedule, and neither does VNA’s support.
Through bereavement counselors, non-denominational chaplains, and supportive group programs, VNA Hospice ensures that no one has to navigate loss alone. And for children, whose grief often looks very different from that of adults, VNA offers specialized services tailored just for them.
Those services have recently expanded under the leadership of VNA’s new Pediatric Bereavement Counselor, Katie Fesenmaier, a Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS). Her work reflects a vital truth: children process loss differently at every stage of development. Their understanding of death evolves with age, and while grief is natural, unaddressed or prolonged grief can create emotional challenges later in life. Early, compassionate support makes all the difference, not just for children, but for the caregivers helping them cope.
One of the most meaningful expressions of that support is Camp Chrysalis, VNA’s bereavement-focused camp for children ages 5–13. Designed as both a safe haven and a place of joy, the camp blends outdoor fun with therapeutic activities, music therapy, and guided meditation. The goal? To help children understand that their feelings are normal, their grief is valid, and they are not alone.
Camp Chrysalis is offered multiple times throughout the year and is free of charge for Indian River County residents, thanks entirely to charitable donations.
In addition to Camp Chrysalis, VNA now offers “Kid Connections,” an ongoing pediatric bereavement program led by Katie. Through group activities and continued support, children and teens are given meaningful opportunities to connect with peers, express their emotions, and begin healing in a nurturing environment.
Below is information about the upcoming Kid Connections and Camp Chrysalis session. Families are encouraged to RSVP in advance by contacting Katie at 772-567-5551, ext. 0397, or via email at kfesenmaier@vnatc.com.
Upcoming Events:
Kid Connections: Art & Connection Afternoon
An afternoon of art, guided exploration, and creative expression in a supportive setting.
Thursday, April 23 • 4:00–6:00 PM
Vero Beach Museum of Art
3001 Riverside Park Drive, Vero Beach
Camp Chrysalis
Saturday, May 2 • 9:00 AM–3:00 PM
IG Center
1590 9th St, Vero Beach
