Since co-creating The Birdhouse Project in 2009, Kris and Jeff have shared their stories of rebuilding more than 100 times. The metaphor of the birdhouse has been taught in social work programs on college campuses, as a keynote presentation at The Compassionate Friends regional conference in Omaha, NE, at the Association for Death Educators and Counselors conference in Miami, FL, and at the Students Against Destructive Decisions national conference in Chicago, IL.

If you represent a support group, school, church or professional organization interested in learning more about The Birdhouse Project, here are the formats we are currently offering.

What is a Birdhouse Project presentation? The presentation is a one-hour introduction to the project as we relate our tragedies and how they temporarily paralyzed us in crisis. We share our stories openly and honestly, discuss some of the emotions that held us on that darkness and then show people how a series of deliberate, reflective steps can help them move forward out of their crises. Throughout the presentation, each piece of the birdhouse takes on specific meaning, allowing the builder to contextualize his or her feelings in an orderly, constructive way. We share what went on our walls as we built our birdhouse, and we bring a large demonstration birdhouse so the audience can witness the metaphor and its meaning. Time for Q&A follow.

What is a Birdhouse Project workshop? The workshop consists of two parts; the first part will begin with the sixty-minute presentation described above. Each workshop participant will be provided a handout, on which they can take some notes about the symbolism of each piece as we move through the presentation. Participants are encouraged to reflect on their lives so that, as we share the humbling personal emotions that found expression on our walls, they will discover what belongs on theirs. The presentation primes the creative, expressive pump necessary to the reflective, emotionally-challenging work of rebuilding.

The second part of the workshop is hands-on building. Each participant will take the pieces of their birdhouse, on which they have expressed specific emotions and a personal affirmation, and begin the symbolic work of rebuilding their lives. Using the notes they took while identifying their own crisis and beginning to assert ownership over their own emotions during the presentation, each participant puts the pieces of their birdhouse back together again, ready to hose new life. Some may find themselves writing or drawing frantically, while others may spend all their time in silent concentration. Regardless of how much gets accomplished, the key is that they must get a grip on the parts and take control of their circumstances instead of letting their circumstances control them.

For a quote on either offering, please go to the contacts page and send the following information to Kris. He will check our availability and respond with an estimate.
  • Date of event
  • Location
  • Age range of participants
  • Number of participants (approx.)
  • Presentation or workshop

Thank you for your interest in The Birdhouse Project!!

  

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