Losing a loved one can dramatically impact a child’s life – children and teens often feel alone and misunderstood. Grieving children and teens feel supported when they are with other grieving peers and when they have loving adults in their lives who offer honesty and time to simply listen.

November 17 is Children’s Grief Awareness Day and reminds us that grieving children and families need support – like those offered through the Pathways Center for Grief & Loss, a program of Hospice & Community Care.

In 2021, the Pathways Center’s Coping Kids & Teens program offered services to 250 children and their families with help from many volunteers. Staff provided phone consultations, in-person and zoom sessions and conferred with area school personnel to hold Good Grief Clubs. Children are impacted by a wide variety of losses – suicide, sudden medical events, overdose, car accidents, homicide and more. These kids have one thing in common – they find comfort and healing when their feelings are heard and validated and they find healthy ways to mourn and make meaning of their loss. There is no cost to participate in our Coping Kids & Teens program thanks to the generous support of the community. To learn more about our grief support for children and teens, CLICK HERE.

Please wear blue on November 17 to raise awareness of this important issue. Post a selfie wearing blue on Hospice & Community Care’s Facebook page.