Building a Community of Support: Resources for Children’s Grief Awareness Month
Compassionate resources and insights to help our community better support children experiencing grief and loss.
By Spark Kindness Team
Dear Spark Community,
November is Children's Grief Awareness Month, a time to recognize the profound impact of grief on our youngest community members. As Dr. Alan Wolfelt, Director of the Center for Loss & Transition, says: "Anyone old enough to love, is old enough to grieve."
At Spark Kindness, we aim to build a supportive and resilient community where empathy and compassion thrive, allowing us to support one another through life's challenges. Together, we can help our children (and ourselves) through all different types of loss. Below are many resources focusing on children's grief and mental health. Please do not hesitate to reach out for help.
With kindness and care ~ The Spark Kindness Team
Tips for Coping During The Holidays
The pressures around the holidays can be even more challenging while grieving. Here are some tips for navigating this season and a Holiday Plan Worksheet - download in English and Spanish from The Dougy Center.
View additional parent and caregiver resources for supporting grieving children and teens from The Dougy Center here.
Featured Video
Andrew Garfield and Elmo Explain Grief: Sesame Workshop - A short must-watch video appropriate for all ages explaining grief and honoring loved ones who have died.
View more free, bilingual resources from Sesame Street for families, caregivers, providers, and educators on coping with grief and loss here.
Recommended Grief Support Books and Articles
- The ABCs of Grief by Jessica Correnti, MS, CCLS, founder of Kids Grief Support
- Ways to Support a Child Who is Grieving from the National Alliance for Children's Grief (NACG). View more articles, watch webinars, and download activities from NACG here.
- Supporting Children Through Non-Death Loss or Change (with Conversation Starters) from The Kids Mental Health Foundation
- The 100 Practical Ideas Series by Dr. Alan Wolfelt, Director of the Center for Loss & Life Transition including:
MetroWest, Massachusetts Bereavement Support Organizations
- Heartplay is a heart-centered bereavement program whose mission is to support children, teens and young adults of all abilities and their families who are coping with the serious illness or death of an important person in their lives. Services are offered at no cost to all families and include home, office, or virtual visits for individualized support, on-going bereavement groups, and bereavement day-camp workshops. Located in Newton, MA. Learn more here.
- Wildflower is dedicated to serving children and families who have experienced the death of a parent. Services include the gifts of camp, enriching experiences, and long-term support for families. The Family Liaison Team is a keystone service, where each family is paired with a trained human services professional to offer support, provide referrals, and obtain other resources as needed. Located in Lexington, MA. Learn more here.
- The Children’s Room creates safe, supportive communities, so that no child, teen, or family has to grieve alone. Groups and services for families are provided free of charge. Some groups meet in-person while others meet virtually. Services include Peer Support Groups, Teen Program, Parenting While Grieving Series, family events, services for schools and communities, consultations, and resources. Located in Arlington, MA. Learn more here.
- Jeff’s Place offers hope and healing in a supportive community for grieving children, teens, families, and individuals. Services include bereavement groups, individual counseling, family consultations, professional development training, educational workshops, community events, and more. Jeff's Place is also a pioneer of research for evidence-based best practices for bereaved youth. Located in Framingham, MA. Learn more here.
Featured Initiative: UGrieve from The Parmenter Foundation
The Parmenter Foundation is a MetroWest, MA nonprofit organization that provides hope and support for grieving community members of all ages. Parmenter is working to shed light on the glaring needs of bereaved college students and collaborate with grief expert partners to affect changes on campuses. Learn more here.
View more resources here.