The Center for Loss and Bereavement

We're approaching one of the most important days of the year for supporting our community—#GivingTuesday! With your help and support, The Center for Loss and Bereavement has provided hope and healing to grieving children and families throughout Pennsylvania, like Heather Reed and her daughter. Did you know that 1 in 11 children in Pennsylvania will experience the death of a parent or sibling before their 18th birthday? On #GivingTuesday, we ask you to help us expand our reach and assist more children when they need us the most. Donate at https://bit.ly/Nellos.

This Children's Grief Awareness Month we are "Flipping the Script" once again by empowering young people's voices! By empowering young people's voices, we affirm their value and support them in their unique grief experience. Let's ensure every child feels heard and supported. #ChildrensGriefAwareness #FlipTheScript #CGAM2024 #childrengrieve

Today is Children's Grief Awareness Day! This special day is designed to help us all become more aware of the needs of grieving children — and of the benefits they obtain through the support of others. Here are three quick tips on how you can support a grieving child or teen in your life: 1. Listen actively- Listening can comfort in ways that words sometimes cannot. 2. Press pause on the advice-Encourage responses and questions that allow young people who are grieving to express what they truly feel, not what they think they should feel. 3. Cultivate a supportive environment for sharing- Create environments where young people who are grieving feel safe to express their feelings without judgment. Together, we can ensure that the grieving children and teens in our lives feel supported, heard, and lifted up!

Therapist Steve Keller reflects on Episode 6 of the "All There Is" podcast by Anderson Cooper: The Release of Love. "All There Is" with Anderson Cooper is about the people we lose, the people left behind, and how we can live on – with loss and with love. It has profoundly impacted many of us at The Center, and as such we wanted to feature it on our social media. Each week, a staff member will share their reflections on an episode either in a video or written form. To read more of Steve's reflections on this episode, please navigate to our website and head to "News!" https://lnkd.in/emirEg-c

Today, we united for grieving children in Montgomery County, PA, starting with a Proclamation presentation to CLB staff from our County Commissioners in recognition of November being Children's Grief Awareness Month. Our Executive Director, Emily Vincent, spoke at the meeting, sharing childhood bereavement statistics while emphasizing our commitment to young grievers and the importance of a grief-informed community. Later, on the steps of the Montgomery County Courthouse, Emily was joined by County Coroner Dr Janine Darby MD, who highlighted the need for community action to support young grievers and their families and CLB Board Member Suzanne Miller who provided a heartfelt parent's perspective on childhood grief. We are deeply grateful to the County Commissioners (Commissioner Jamila Winder, Commissioner Neil Makhija, Commissioner Tom DiBello), the dedicated public officials and their representatives advocating alongside us (Rep. Joe Webster, Rep. Matt Bradford, Rep. Gregory Scott), and our Greater Philadelphia Grief Collaborative partners who joined us (Safe Harbor - Jefferson Health and Uplift Center for Grieving Children). A special thank you to our dedicated staff whose compassionate, professional grief support makes a difference every day in our community, our selfless volunteers who give their time to help grieving children and families feel less alone, and all who came wearing blue in solidarity. Thank you for standing with us for the 1 in 11 children in Pennsylvania who will lose a parent or sibling before the age of 18. Your presence and support made this event truly meaningful, showing grieving children that they are not alone. Let's continue to #FlipTheScript: Be Present, listen actively, and build a compassionate community for those facing loss. Here are a few photos from the day courtesy of Montgomery County Commissioners and Melissa Kelly Photography! Thank you for capturing this event for us.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” — Margaret Mead Last week Lois Harris and Emily Vincent represented the Center among other partners in the Greater Philadelphia Grief Collaborative, sharing updates and inspiration around mission work. While there may be unique factors in each of our services and locations, we are all tied together in support of children’s grief and in strengthening our connected community. We are grateful for these dedicated partners in advocacy, and were honored to visit A Haven’s beautiful home in Exton. Especially during this month of Children’s Grief Awareness and of Gratitude, we give thanks to all who support our shared passion for this important work, and for these trusted partners who help so many bridge gaps in seeking grief services around our collective region!

Today, The Center for Loss and Bereavement honors all of those who have served our country. We see the sacrifice you have made and acknowledge the grief that often comes with it: the grief of fallen fellow service members, the grief of being away from friends and family, or the pain of witnessing life's fragilities. We thank you for your service. ❤

In honoring Children's Grief Awareness Month, "Flip the Script" by valuing the importance of follow-through! Let's ensure our actions match our words. Show up, follow through, and make a real difference.

Join us at the Montgomery County Courthouse on November 14 at 12pm as we join county leaders in a press conference, standing for our cause and proclaiming November as Children’s Grief Awareness Month!

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” — Margaret Mead Last week Lois Harris and Emily Vincent represented the Center among other partners in the Greater Philadelphia Grief Collaborative, sharing updates and inspiration around mission work. While there may be unique factors in each of our services and locations, we are all tied together in support of children’s grief and in strengthening our connected community. We are grateful for these dedicated partners in advocacy, and were honored to visit A Haven’s beautiful home in Exton. Especially during this month of Children’s Grief Awareness and of Gratitude, we give thanks to all who support our shared passion for this important work, and for these trusted partners who help so many bridge gaps in seeking grief services around our collective region!