The Right Place When Nothing Feels Right

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

Learn more through Dougy Center's grief education opportunities

Join a webinar, take an online course, or visit us in person. Grief education an important component of Dougy Center's mission, reaching thousands of people from the United States and around the world. Our education and training opportunities are available to anyone supporting children and families who are grieving.

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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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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
December 11th, 2025

Brennan Wood On How Grief Is To Feel, Not Fix - Even At The Holidays

It's our annual holiday episode, this time with Dougy Center Executive Director and TEDx speaker Brennan Wood. Brennan first encountered Dougy Center after her mom, Doris, died of breast cancer three days after Brennan's 12th birthday. She has since navigated almost four decades of holiday seasons with grief along for the ride. She shares about the early years that were awful; the young-adult years she spent volunteering away from family; and how, as an adult, she's learned to hold both grief and joy while creating new traditions for her own family. Whether this is your first or 41st holiday season with grief, this conversation offers validation, tangible suggestions, and new ways to think about this time of year. read more...

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News & Events

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May 8th, 2026

29th Annual Porsche Boxster Raffle

Buy a ticket. Help a child. Win a Porsche! Support families who are grieving by participating in the 29th Annual Dougy Center Porsche Boxster Raffle. Tickets are just $100 each and only 2,500 tickets will be sold. The winning ticket will be drawn on May 8, 2026 at the Dougy Center's Reflection Benefit & Auction.

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Article

November 18th, 2025

Holidays & Grief

The pressures around the holidays can be even more challenging after the death of a family member. Here are some tips to consider that may help as you navigate the challenges, as well as a Holiday Plan Worksheet downloadable flyer to help you work through these decisions together as a family.

Event

January 26th, 2026

2026 Virtual Professional Seminar

Supporting anyone in grief can often feel intimidating. If you are one of the many helping professionals who does not have formal grief education, Dougy Center's Virtual Professional Seminar provides the tools and information to become grief-informed. Learn with colleagues from around the United States and beyond who support, or plan to support, people who are grieving of all ages — from children and teens to young adults and adult caregivers.

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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 thousands of people find hope and healing.

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