Buddy\u2019s Place was founded by Linda Moran in 2000. At age 14, Linda\u2019s father died, leaving her feeling isolated and without support. Later in adulthood, her sister Nancy died, leaving behind her husband and two young sons, ages 7 and 9.<\/p>\n
Linda recognized that her nephews weren\u2019t receiving the grief support they needed. She set out to create a program for them \u2014 and for other grieving children and teens. The name \u201cBuddy\u2019s Place\u201d honors Nancy and her sons. Nancy often called her boys \u201cbuddy,\u201d and they became the first \u201cbuddies.\u201d<\/p>\n
The program\u2019s initial goal was to support children who had lost a parent or significant caregiver. Linda kept the scope narrow in the beginning, ensuring families received the best possible services while the program grew.<\/p>\n
In the spring of 2000, 15 volunteers completed the first Buddy\u2019s Place training, led by Kim Fox Gunderson of Children\u2019s Memorial Hospital in Chicago. That fall, six families participated in the inaugural eight-week session. The launch was made possible through a grant from Community Memorial Foundation.<\/p>\n
Linda served as Founder, Co-Director, Director, and ultimately Director Emeritus after retiring in 2009. She continues to be only a phone call away to guide future leaders.<\/p>\n
From 2009 to 2014, the program was directed by Kelly Huggins, followed by Michelle Halm, who led Buddy\u2019s Place from 2014 until 2024. The current director, Charlotte Shuber, joined PCH in March 2024.<\/p>\n
Each director has made updates to the curriculum to reflect best practices in grief care and mental health, while maintaining the original foundations of the program.<\/p>\n
From 2000 to 2010, Buddy\u2019s Place sessions were held at La Grange Memorial Hospital. Since 2010, gatherings have been hosted at community spaces, including the Presbyterian Church of Western Springs, Riverside Presbyterian Church, and the First Congregational Church of Western Springs, as well as local parks, in partnership with the Western Springs Park District, Hinsdale Park District, and La Grange Park District.<\/p>\n
While several of these sites are churches, Buddy\u2019s Place is not affiliated with any religion. These spaces offer welcoming and accessible locations for families to gather and heal together.<\/p>\n
Over the past 25 years, Buddy\u2019s Place has evolved to meet the needs of more families. During the COVID-19 pandemic, groups transitioned online so families could continue receiving support at a time when connection was needed most.<\/p>\n
In 2025, Buddy\u2019s Place began offering sessions in both English and Spanish, reflecting PCH\u2019s commitment to ensuring services are culturally and linguistically appropriate for the families we serve.<\/p>\n
Since its founding, Buddy\u2019s Place has served hundreds of families and reached thousands of youth through community programming, school partnerships, and the whole-person care offered at PCH.<\/p>\n
In addition to its ongoing programming, Buddy\u2019s Place has often been called upon to respond when tragedy strikes the community. Over the years, the program has partnered with schools, faith communities, and local organizations impacted by death to provide counseling, group support, and grief education. Whether helping students cope with the sudden loss of a classmate or supporting families after a community-wide tragedy, Buddy\u2019s Place has remained a trusted resource \u2014 offering space for healing, reflection, and resilience.<\/p>\n
Volunteers have always been essential to Buddy\u2019s Place. Some, like Tracy P., once attended with their families and later returned to serve. Others, like longtime volunteer June S., have witnessed the growth of children over many years:<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m still in touch with one or two of the families that started when their children were very young. To see how these young people have grown into strong teenagers and adults \u2014 that is such a beautiful story.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Traditions That Last<\/span><\/h1>\n
One of the most powerful symbols of Buddy\u2019s Place is its collection of quilts. At the end of each eight-week session, each loved one who has died is honored with a name on a heart stitched into the quilts. This tradition has continued since 2000, serving as a lasting memorial for families.<\/p>\n
Another tradition is the annual picnic, which brings together past directors, families, volunteers, and PCH staff. It is a day of remembrance, resilience, and community support.<\/p>\n
Voices of Families<\/h1>\n
For many participants, Buddy\u2019s Place provides the space to begin their healing journey. Jean O., who has attended for the past four years, shared:<\/p>\n
\u201cBuddy\u2019s Place to me was a place where I could start my grief journey and not feel like I was the only one navigating this path \u2014 and to learn from other people who were doing it too.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Looking Ahead<\/h1>\n
Buddy\u2019s Place began as part of Community Family Services, one of PCH\u2019s legacy organizations, and has remained a vital program through several mergers. While there are hundreds of grief support programs across the nation, Buddy\u2019s Place remains the only one serving western suburban Cook County.<\/p>\n
As part of Pillars Community Health\u2019s commitment to whole-person care, Buddy\u2019s Place will continue to evolve to meet the needs of grieving families \u2014 ensuring they are supported in body, mind, and spirit.<\/strong><\/p>\n
As we celebrate 25 years of Buddy\u2019s Place, we honor the families who have found comfort and connection here, the volunteers who continue to give their hearts, and the visionaries who built this program. Together, we look forward to the next 25 years of walking alongside grieving youth and families with compassion and care.<\/strong><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Buddy\u2019s Place, a program of Pillars Community Health (PCH), provides grief support for youth ages 4\u201318 and their caregivers. Families can take part in monthly gatherings, eight-week support group sessions, and special events designed to help them navigate loss with care and community.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":28,"featured_media":22843,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"The History of Buddy\u2019s Place","_seopress_titles_desc":"Buddy\u2019s Place, a program of Pillars Community Health (PCH), provides grief support for youth ages 4\u201318 and their caregivers. 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