AUSTIN, Texas — Life can be challenging for children when a parent or guardian is dealing with a serious illness or injury. Fortunately, a local nonprofit, Wonders & Worries, is dedicated to providing support and assistance to these young individuals and their families.
Nicole Halder, senior director of development and outreach, and Elyse Cann, certified child life specialist, from Wonders & Worries visited We Are Austin to share more about the organization’s mission and the vital role it plays in the community.
“Wonders and Worries provides free professional support to children and teenagers when a parent has a serious illness or injury. We’re there to support them. We’re there to support their parents, as well, as they connect with their family, and then [support] the whole family, so it’s really wrap around,” explained Halder.
As a child life specialist, Cann works one-on-one with the children utilizing Wonders and Worries’s services.
“Our role is to work with the children and families to make sure that they are understanding what is going on– a place to express their concerns and their fears and have support through that time which can be very scary,” she said.
“It’s specific support making sure that they understand and know what’s really happening, what to expect and that the family feels that their child is being looked after and getting their tough questions answered in a way that can help them cope better,” she added.
The nonprofit offers a variety of resources and tools to support children and families, including counseling and educational programs in both group and individual settings.
For those interested in accessing services or learning more about Wonders & Worries, visit their website or follow them on social media.
Whether through volunteering, donations, or spreading the word, every bit of support helps Wonders and Worries continue their important work.
