The Garden A Center for Grieving Children and Teens

06/17/2026

Do you know a child or teen who is grieving?

Sharing resources like The Garden can make a lasting difference for a family in need.

Please help us spread the word. Learn more by visiting our website - https://www.cooleydickinson.org/programs-services/vna-hospice/the-garden/

06/15/2026

Grief can feel isolating, especially for children and teens.

At The Garden: A Center for Grieving Children and Teens, we provide a safe, supportive space where young people (ages 5–18) and their families can share, connect, and begin to heal. Visit our website to learn more. https://www.cooleydickinson.org/programs-services/vna-hospice/the-garden/

06/12/2026

Supporting a grieving child starts with understanding.

Grief can look different for every child and teen and it often changes over time. Having the right tools and language can help caregivers, educators, and loved ones respond with compassion and confidence.

This collection of recommended books offers guidance, comfort, and connection for children, teens, and families navigating loss. 💙 https://healgrief.org/recommended-reading/

At The Garden: A Center for Grieving Children and Teens, we create a safe space where young people can express their feelings, share their stories, and feel supported every step of the way.

  The following are books recommended by HealGrief, based on feedback from our community of users and professionals. HealGrief disclaims and is not re

06/08/2026

What does grief feel like?

For children and teens, grief can be hard to put into words. It may feel confusing, overwhelming, or even come and go in unexpected ways. Hearing directly from young people about their experiences can help us better understand, and support them.

This short video offers powerful insights into how grief feels through the voices of those who are living it. Watch and learn more: 💙 https://www.dougy.org/videos/grief-feels-like

At The Garden: A Center for Grieving Children and Teens, we provide a safe place where children, teens, and families can share their stories, express their feelings, and know they are not alone.

💚 You’re not alone. Support is here.

06/03/2026

Grief doesn’t look the same for everyone, especially for children.

Young people may express grief in ways that are unexpected: changes in behavior, difficulty concentrating, big emotions, or sometimes no outward reaction at all. These are all common responses to loss, and they can come and go over time.

Understanding these reactions can help adults respond with patience, compassion, and support.

At The Garden: A Center for Grieving Children and Teens, we offer a safe space where children, teens, and families can share their experiences and feel less alone.

💚 You’re not alone. Support is here.

Learn more about common grief reactions and how to support a grieving child here:

There are many reactions that one can express when they experience significant loss. Use this tool to better understand common grief reactions.

05/27/2026

When a child is grieving, their experience may look different than expected.

Grief in children often comes in waves, showing up in behaviors, emotions, questions, and even moments of play. They may move in and out of sadness, sometimes appearing okay one moment and struggling the next. This is a natural part of how children process loss.

What helps most is simple, compassionate support:
💚 Listening without judgment
💚 Offering honest, age-appropriate information
💚 Providing consistency and reassurance

Learn more by visiting Highmark Caring Place - https://www.highmarkcaringplace.com/cp2/grief/grievingChildren.shtml

No child should have to navigate grief alone.

At The Garden: A Center for Grieving Children and Teens, we are here to provide a safe space where children, teens, and families can share their experiences and find support.

The Highmark Caring Place, A Center for Grieving Children, Adolescents and Their Families, offers information and resources for grieving children.

05/25/2026

On Memorial Day, we pause to honor and remember those who have died in service to our country.

For many children and teens, this day can also bring forward personal grief, the absence of someone they love, questions they carry, or feelings that others may not see.

At The Garden, we recognize that remembrance can take many forms. Whether it’s sharing a story, sitting quietly with a memory, or simply feeling what comes, every response to grief is valid.

As a community, we can support young people by listening, acknowledging their experiences, and creating space for both remembrance and healing.

Today, we remember. ❤️

05/22/2026

Grief doesn’t follow a script and young people shouldn’t feel like they have to explain or apologize for how they feel.

In this powerful podcast episode from The Dougy Center, listeners are reminded that every grief experience is valid, personal, and deserving of space and understanding.

It’s an important perspective for anyone supporting a grieving child or teen, and for young people navigating their own loss.

Take a few minutes to listen and reflect:
https://www.dougy.org/news-media/podcasts/no-apology-needed

At The Garden, we believe in creating spaces where children and teens feel seen, heard, and supported, just as they are. 💛

At Dougy Center, you'll find grief support, resources, and connection before and after a death. We provide the right place when nothing feels right.

05/18/2026

Conversations about memories, values, and the moments that shape us can be deeply meaningful, especially for children and teens who are grieving. Have the Talk of a Lifetime offers guidance for families who want to open these conversations with care and intention.

If you’re looking for a way to help young people reflect, remember, and feel connected, this resource can be a helpful place to begin.

Explore it here:

Talk about how you want to be remembered. It can make the difference of a lifetime. There’s so much we experience in our lives. There are the big moments that shape us – graduation, a first job, getting married and starting a family, new home, and retirement. When we reflect on our lives, it’s...

05/13/2026

Stay connected with The Garden: A Center for Grieving Children and Teens.

Our quarterly newsletter shares stories of hope, program updates, upcoming events, and ways our community supports grieving children, teens, and families.

You can now sign up to receive it directly in your inbox.
We’d love to keep you in the loop.

Email from Cooley Dickinson VNAH In this newsletter: Summer Camps for Grieving Children and Teens Grief Gets Personal Grieving Kids in Their Own Words We'd Like to Hear From You! Visit our Website Sum