Thriving Families – Children’s Grieving Services

Thriving Families Grief Support Group: Building Resilience

The Thriving Families Grief Support Group serves Orange and Sullivan County residents by providing an opportunity for youth to express their thoughts, verbalize their feelings, and share their experiences of grief.

This specialized support group promotes healing by providing an opportunity for children and youth ages 5 through 12 with a program that includes art, music, books. discussions. and videos. Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties, Inc. understands the differences in the developmental stages of children and youth, especially as they pertain to grief counseling. Special curriculums have been developed for distinct children/youth age groups to address respective developmental levels and teach coping skills.

In the children’s sessions, children will be provided with structured activities with weekly themes and topics. Family involvement is important in supporting children/youth in their grief. Therefore, family involvement is highly encouraged.

The children’s sessions meet three times on select Mondays. Each session runs for 90 minutes. Classes are currently being held virtually, and we ask that an adult be available to assist the child(ren) with starting and ending each session.

Separate adult sessions are for adult family members or guardians to meet and discuss their children and learn ways to help them work through their grief.  Family involvement is important in supporting children/youth in their grief and offers opportunities to discuss the previous children/youth session and any concerns regarding the child(ren). It also provides an outlet for adults to process their own grief. Adult group discussions cover a variety of subjects, including the emotional and physical impact that grief and loss have on both children and adults.

Only people who are registered can participate in the groups.