The Right Place When Nothing Feels Right

At Dougy Center, you will find support, resources, and connection before and after a death.

Talking with kids and teens about school shootings and other mass tragedies

We know that school shootings and other mass tragedies affect so many more people than just those who are directly impacted. If you or someone you know needs ideas for talking to children about this or other tragic events, find Dougy Center resources through the link below.

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Grief and COVID-19

When it might feel like most of the world has moved on from the pandemic, millions of youth need support as they navigate their lives without their person. If you or someone you know is grieving a death from COVID-19, these resources may help.

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Become a Volunteer Facilitator

Dougy Center volunteer facilitators work directly with kids, teens, young adults, and their adult family members, and play a crucial role in ensuring access to our bereavement program.

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Find Grief Support Near You

Locate peer grief support groups in Portland and around the world.

What We Do

At Dougy Center, we create safe spaces and free resources for children and families who are grieving. Our pioneering peer grief support model, professional training, and world-renowned programs and advocacy bring hope and healing around the world.

Training & Community Response

Our Services

The Impact of Dougy Center

Read stories about the positive impact of Dougy Center on children and families who are grieving

Ryan

A light for families who are grieving

Leslie Harter-Berg brought her two boys, Wit (now 9) and Rory (now 7), to Dougy Center’s Littles group after their husband and father, Ryan, died suddenly in 2019 of an aneurysm and stroke. Talking about a death with young children who are grieving can be difficult. Leslie values the practical things she and the boys learned at Dougy Center, and they continue to bring Ryan up in conversation.“Dougy Center is such a beautiful safe place to walk through dark things.”

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Grief Out Loud Podcast

Grief Out Loud® is our internationally acclaimed podcast where we talk openly about death, dying, and grief

Latest Episode
June 2nd, 2025

When Death Is Scheduled – Mark Chesnut On Grieving His Sister

In this deeply personal episode, Mark Chesnut returns to Grief Out Loud to share his experience of losing his sister Glynn to ovarian cancer. Glynn chose medical aid in dying after nearly four years of treatment, giving Mark and his family the unusual experience of knowing when death would occur. This conversation explores the complexity of "scheduled death," the challenges of finding appropriate language to discuss medical aid in dying, and how knowing the date changed their family's grieving process. Mark Chesnut is a journalist, editor, public speaker, and the author of: Prepare for Departure. Mark previously appeared on Grief Out Loud in October 2022, discussing caring for his mother at the end of her life. Mark lives in New York City with his husband Angel and recently wrote an article about his sister's experience with medical aid in dying. This episode is the second in our 2025 three-part series highlighting the voices of communities who have historically been underrepresented in the grief world. The series is part of an ongoing collaboration between Dougy Center and The New York Life Foundation. We are deeply grateful for New York Life Foundation's tireless support and advocacy for children and teens who are grieving. read more...

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News & Events

Event Gun Violence paperform 25

June 19th, 2025

Dougy Center Grief Education Webinar: Gone Too Soon: Supporting Children and Teens After a Death from Gun Violence

Every day in the United States we are bombarded with stories of gun violence. Within every story, whether noted by the media or not, there are children, teens, and adults impacted forever by the death of someone in their lives: a parent, caregiver, aunt, uncle, sibling, or friend. In addition to grieving the death, survivors are faced with multiple additional factors which complicate their lives. Join us in this webinar as we explore these factors and ways to support children and teens who are grieving a death from gun violence.

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Article

April 8th, 2025

Get Grief-Informed for Youth in Foster Care

Make a commitment to better serve youth in foster care who are grieving. Learn what it means to be grief-informed, and how to take action to make meaningful change in a youth's life. Visit Dougy Center's new webpage for free resources and information specifically created for youth in foster care, and for caring professionals who support them.

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May 9th, 2025

Congratulations to the winner of the 28th Annual Porsche Boxster Raffle!

Thank you to everyone who purchased a ticket for the 28th Annual Porsche Boxster Raffle! We were overwhelmed with support and sold all 2,500 tickets! Congratulations to the winner of the 2025 Porsche Boxster with ticket number 1683!

Photo hp 50 circle about the dougy center

About Dougy Center

Dougy Center was founded in 1982 to support children and families who are grieving before and after a death. Today, The Dougy Center Model is world-renowned and has helped 60,000 people find hope and healing.

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