Buddy’s Place/Childhood Grief

Grief is felt by a large percentage of children: An estimated 1 in 14 children in the U.S. will experience the death of a parent or sibling before they reach the age of 18. Over 5.2 million youth will become bereaved, and that number more than doubles by age 25 to 13.2 million. All too often, children are forgotten grievers. Some feel they are not old enough to feel loss. But if a person is old enough to love, then that person is also old enough to mourn and to grieve.

Since 2000, our Buddy’s Place childhood bereavement program has offered 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. We are committed to providing a safe, accepting, and supportive environment where each family can come and express their grief and connect with others in a group setting.  There is no charge to attend the programs offered by Buddy’s Place. Services include:

Monthly Support Groups
The Buddy’s Place Monthly Gathering group meets on the second Monday of each month to work together on a creative, grief-related project. Note: You do not have to attend the 8-Week Session to attend Monthly Gatherings.

8-Week Session
Buddy’s Place offers an 8-week support group each spring and fall. While children and teens engage in goal-oriented activities that are age-appropriate, parents and caregivers participate in a group focused on understanding children’s grief and how to better help the children work through it. The Spring 2023 Session will begin on March 21, 2023 and the Fall 2023 Session will begin on September 11, 2023

As there is no limit to grief, families may take advantage of the program whenever they need it. Click here to download the Buddy's Place program registration form.