ten things everyone should know about Celebration place

10. Children have hurts, hang-ups, and habits too.

• Our children are not immune to pain. Some things children struggle with are bullying, body image, parent’s divorce, abuse, neglect, learning disabilities, death of a loved one, loss of friends, racism, loss of pets, etc. These hurts lead to hangups caused by fear and anxiety. For example, a child whose parents divorced may develop a fear of abandonment, which makes it hard to move forward if in an unhealthy relationship.

• Celebration Place teaches healthy coping skills that can help children make healthy choices to work through painful situations. Our goal is to stop the hurt in the lives of families.

9. Children help keep parents coming back.

• Celebration Place is fun! Children do not want to miss out. We use games, activities and crafts and cool object lessons to keep children engaged. Connections are made with leaders and other children.

8. Celebration Place is a safe place for children, adding value to CR ministries.

• Parents know you care about them and their families when you offer a safe and encouraging place for children. Background checks performed on all adult team members help reassure parents that the safety of their child is important to us.

7. Celebration Place is specifically designed for Celebrate Recovery ministries

• Christ Centered Curriculum for elementary aged students

• CP is a structured program mirroring Celebrate Recovery.

• The format is designed to offer fellowship, worship, teaching, activities, and small group. This is the same experience parents/guardians have in Celebrate Recovery.

• The same topics are taught as in the Large Group of CR.

• All meetings close with the Serenity Prayer.

6. Children learn how to cope with emotions in healthy ways.

• Small group time, journal pages and other activities help children identify their feelings and the events related to them. Being able to name emotions is a big deal!

• Team members validate their feelings and help them to find healthy ways to process those feelings.

5. We have Celebration Place Regional Rep and State Rep volunteers to support ministries.

• State Reps and Regional Reps are ready to serve CR ministry leaders. Our goal is for every CR to offer Celebration Place. We can and are making a difference in the lives of children. The goal of the National Celebration Place team is to help equip leaders to provide a safe place for children to experience healing and restoration through Jesus Christ.

4. Cycles of dysfunction are being broken as children and parents learn the same recovery lessons.

• Lessons like Denial, Powerless, Gratitude and all other recovery topics are taught on the same night as the adult in ways that children can understand. Parents and children are on the same page. Learning the same recovery principles as a family promotes healing and wholeness for everyone.

3. The CP journal page helps parents talk with their children about their struggles. Recovery is a family affair.

• The journal pages sent home with children give conversation starters for parents. This opens up the lines of communication; healing starts; and the trajectory of the family changes to a healthier path. Have you ever heard a child say, “You just wouldn’t understand?” The conversation starters on the back of the journal pages give parents the opportunity to share showing that they do understand.

2. Children learn that Jesus loves them.

• It is so important for children to know and experience the love of Jesus. That unconditional love will carry them through all of life’s ups and downs. CP is based on the word of God. The love of Jesus is taught from week 1 through week 52!

1. Celebration Place is NOT childcare!

• When we put #2 through #10 together Celebration Place becomes more than just “just childcare”.

• Grace is extended as children learn and grow.

• Leaders partner with parents to help children become who God created them to be.

• CP has great tools to help families. Leaders teach life skills like making amends and forgiving others. Valuing others by listening to them is modeled for children.