support | serious illness | multicultural peer support | outreach

Expressing feelings in a safe place is part of the healing process after a death. It is the foundation of the work done in the peer support groups.

Over 150 children, teens and adults attend each week. Children, teens, young adults, and adults benefit from a supportive environment with a peer group of people who have suffered similar losses. The groups are led by trained and supervised volunteers who have completed 30 hours of training. We are a peer support model and do not provide therapy or counseling. Referrals to mental health professionals are made according to individual needs. A professional consultant and/or staff member join each night of service. 

Groups meet Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings. Peer groups for children and teens, ages 3-18, divided into age appropriate groups, and young adults between the ages 19-30. Separate support groups are available for the adult family members as well.

Young Widow and Widowers Group

The Center for Grieving Children is offering a new peer support group for individuals age 59 and younger who have experienced the death of a spouse or partner.  The group will meet for six weeks on Friday evenings from 6:30-8:00 beginning October 30th.  For more information, please contact Valerie Jones at 775-5216 ext. 109

Bereaved Parent's Group

The Center for Grieving Children will be starting a Bereaved Parents’ Peer Support Group this September 14th.  The group is open to all parents who have lost a child regardless of the child’s age.  The group will be held on Monday evenings at the Center.   Please call Susan Giambalvo or Patricia Ellen at (207) 775-5216 for more information or to schedule an intake.