About Us:
A Center for Grieving Children is a support center for children who are grieving the loss of someone they love because of divorce or separation in the family or because of the death of a loved one. We also have support groups for children in foster care. The Center is the primary program of the Family Summit Foundation. It is a non-profit organization that serves nearly 800 individuals a year. There is no cost to the families that use our services. We are funded through foundations, organizations and private individuals; we do not receive government funding.
A Center for Grieving Children was created to assist children and their families through the grief process by encouraging them to share their feelings with others who have experienced a similar loss. We believe:
--Grief is a natural reaction to the loss of a loved one for children as well as adults.
--Within each of us is the natural capacity to heal ourselves
--The length and intensity of grief is unique to each individual
--Acceptance and caring assist in the healing process
Our groups provide an environment in which bereaved children can safely mourn, and where they are allowed to explore thoughts and feelings about their loss in a way that helps them be compassionate with themselves and others.
A Center for Grieving Children offers mutual support and acceptance through listening and sharing. We respect each individual family's belief system. In our program, we learn and heal ourselves by giving, listening, and sharing. Our goals are to support and nurture children and their families in a loving and understanding environment as they experience grief.
We hold workshops and give presentations to provide education and training on grief and the grief process for community agencies, schools and families. We are providing crisis intervention and consultations to schools in Northern Utah. We also have a library, with materials and books available to the public.
We offer support groups for children ages three through nineteen. Groups are available for Youth (ages 3-12) and Teens (13-19) for children grieving due to the death of a loved one, because of divorce or separation, and we have groups for children in foster care. A typical group includes up to 15 children, eight trained volunteer facilitators and staff. An adult family member or care-giver must accompany each child and may participate in the adult support group which meets simultaneously. There is no charge for attending A Center For Grieving Children.