The Right Place When Nothing Feels Right

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

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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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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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

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Meet the Lucas Family

Brigitte Lucas began bringing her daughter, Braelynn, to Dougy Center’s “Littles” group twice a month after her husband, Ethan, died of COVID just a few days before Christmas in 2021. Dougy Center is one of the few places where Brigitte, Braelynn, and Blaykley can talk about Ethan and feel safe to express whatever they need. Like other young children who are grieving, Braelynn struggled after Ethan’s death as she tried to understand what happened. She was tearful sometimes, mad sometimes, and sometimes regressed to earlier developmental stages. Brigitte was amazed when these behaviors began to ease not long after they started a Dougy Center group.

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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
July 24th, 2024

How They Died Matters, A Daughter's Story - Kari Lyons-Price, MSW

Sometimes we can't really begin to understand grief - ours or anyone else's - if we don't have space to talk about the death. The context surrounding how someone died matters and can shape our grief in meaningful ways. This was true for Kari Lyons-Price, MSW, who was a caregiver for her parents, Hal and Sylvia, for many years. They died three years apart, her dad in 2019 and her mom in 2022, and the circumstances of their deaths greatly impacted Kari and her grief. read more...

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News & Events

Event Focus on Hope event

October 29th, 2024

Focus on Hope

Join us for this inspiring luncheon on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, featuring Laurel Braitman, bestselling author, educator, and thought leader in mental health, focusing healing, grief, and emotional well being.

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Event

November 21st, 2024

FREE TO ATTEND: Too Young to Grieve? A Dougy Center Children's Grief Awareness Day Webinar

A common myth is that children may not be impacted like adults after a death. In fact, it's not uncommon to hear comments such as "They are too young to understand" when referring to children's experiences of loss. Join Dougy Center staff for this free webinar where we dispel myths and raise awareness about children's grief.

Event

September 5th, 2024

Dougy Center Grief Education Webinar: Becoming Grief-Informed: Foundations of Grief Education

Being grief-informed sets the foundation for understanding and responding to the needs of people who are grieving the death of someone in their lives. Misassumptions lead to misunderstanding and mis-treatment. Tune in for more information on this important topic, including the ten core principles of grief-informed practice.

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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 60,000 people find hope and healing.

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