JEFFS PLACE CHILDRENS BEREAVEMENT CENTER INC

Mission Jeff’s Place offers comprehensive bereavement support services ensuring that all children, teens, and families experience a healthy grieving process in a supportive environment. Vision No child grieves alone. The Need Many children feel isolated from both their peers and families because of a death. The feelings they experience are intense, varied and complicated. Our goal is to provide counseling to families in their greatest time of need. Untreated grief over the loss of a loved one can have serious consequences for a family, especially its younger members. National studies report pervasive negative emotions of sadness, anger, isolation, worry, and being overwhelmed for grieving children. They also have trouble sleeping, trouble concentrating on schoolwork, and become more likely to make unhealthy choices. Without adequate interventions, these children are at risk for negative outcomes, including traumatic grief, decreased school performance and lower self-esteem – and studies indicate that bereaved children are at a higher risk for mental health disorders than their non-bereaved peers, including depression, anxiety, anger and guilt. Our Philosophy - We believe that the expert on grief is the one who is grieving - We reassure that there is no right or wrong way to grieve - We promote peer-to-peer connections to decrease feelings of isolation - We build confidence and self-esteem through trusting and empathic bonds - We encourage kids to explore their grief through play - We help integrate memories into a new life story - We provide hope, healing, and meaningful growth for all whose lives we touch