Uplift Center for Grieving Children

Our work is based on a deep respect for the individual's experience of grief, the healing potential of peer group support, and the value of adult mentoring.

We recognize that grief is a natural response to death for people of any age, including young children. If you are old enough to love, you are old enough to grieve.

Children can grow through grief when given care and support. Peers can be a valuable part of that process. Separate groups are held for elementary, middle school, teens, and young adults. The activities are designed to help children express their loss experience, to share feelings and memories of loved ones who have died, and to identify ways of coping and growing through their grief. In addition to the group experience, sufficient time is given for self directed play, drama, art, and other forms of creative expression.

A group for parents/guardians is held while the children meet, offering the opportunity to talk about grief-related issues and to support one another.

Groups are facilitated by our experienced grief counselors as well as trained volunteers. We believe adults can help the healing process by listening to and supporting the many feelings, thoughts, and meanings, which are part of the loss experience.