According to the JAG Institute’s 2024 Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model Report, approximately 6.3 million children in the United States will experience the death of a parent or sibling by age 18, which is 1 in 12 children. While grief is universal, each person’s journey through it is unique. During these challenging times, it’s crucial to ensure that grieving children have access to essential resources and support.
For over 20 years Pillars Community Health’s Buddy’s Place childhood bereavement program has offered no-cost family-based support groups to children and teens ages 4-18 and their families who are grieving the death of someone significant in their lives. Katie Joseph a former volunteer facilitator attended Buddy’s Place in her teenage years when her family experienced the death of her father. When discussing her experience from two decades ago, Katie shared:
“Looking back on it I’m very glad that we were able to have a space once a week to be with others and gain knowledge of how it’s affecting us and ways and tools to cope with death especially death of a parent or a very close loved one.”
Mollie Carroll, another volunteer facilitator at Buddy’s Place reflected on the impact she witnesses facilitating her groups. “I think the strongest impact that I see is them bonding with each other.”
Buddy’s Place offers a wide range of services for grieving children including:
- Peer Grief Support Groups
- Monthly Gatherings
- Special events that provide opportunities for fun, play, and remembrance.
No one should have to grieve alone, especially a child. This November educate yourself on how you can support children and teens who are grieving. Look into active campaigns on children’s grief like the National Alliance for Children’s Grief’s (NACG) “Flipping the Script”, which highlight words grieving children don’t find helpful and suggests how you can take action to better help them during the grieving process. Show your support for children and teens who are grieving and consider donating to Buddy’s Place, so that youth and their families can continue to have access to more resources. Get involved by becoming a volunteer at Buddy’s Place. Volunteer opportunities include helping as a greeter, group facilitator, or with child care. You can make a difference in someone’s life.