A retreat is helping the families of emergency personnel who died in the line of duty or by suicide.
Camp Faces, which stands for family and children of emergency services, is being held at Fern Resort. Organized by the Canadian Critical Incident Stress Foundation, the five day retreat is offered to families of emergency service personnel, following a line of duty death or suicide.
"It’s providing peer support at its best; it's getting families who've experienced similar situations to be together and to support each other," says Renee Jarvis, president of CCISF.
This retreat is the first of its kind in Canada and is hosting more than 30 children. Nancy del Bianco and her kids are one of 19 families from three provinces in attendance.
"The feeling of just belonging, the feeling of not being judged, and not having to explain anything and just being amongst people who just understand. That is really a phenomenal experience so far."
For both parents and kids, the camp is helping them heal, knowing they're not alone.
"I think it's both emotional and fulfilling. You have your moments where you all have a tear and then you have your moments where you realize life does go on after this and that there is happy moments and there's a light at the end of the tunnel," says Erin Ochakovsky.
