"Peter's Place is for adults as much as for children. I am a different person because of my experience and awareness of my grief journey." -Peter's Place parent

"The best thing about coming to Peter's Place is feeling normal because I'm with others who are going through similar things." -Peter's Place child

Peer Support for Grieving Children, Teens, and their Caregivers

Peter's Place offers a bright, positive environment for grieving families and young adults. We are a safe and compassionate community where families can get support after the death of someone significant in their lives by connecting with others who have had a similar experience.

Children are placed by age and type of loss into groups which meet for 1 to 1½ hours every other week:

• 4-6 year olds
• 7-10 year olds
• 11-13 year olds
• Teens (14-17 year olds)
   

Children and teens come together in the "talking circle" to share, play games, and do creative, hands-on activities while accompanying adults attend a parent/caregiver support group.

Groups are facilitated by Master's level staff members and a dedicated group of trained volunteer grief facilitators.

Peer Support for Young Adults

Peter's Place recognizes that young adults have unique concerns and needs after a death. We offer a safe space for young adults in a time of transition to come together to talk about their shared experiences. This group meets once every other week for 1½ hours.

• Young Adult Group (18-25 year olds)

When do the groups meet?

Groups meet once every other week for 1 to 1½ hours depending on the age group. There are multiple groups meeting Monday-Thursday nights in the after-school and early evening hours to accommodate busy schedules. All of our groups are open-ended and run from September to June. Families may join at any point during the year by setting up an intake appointment to initiate the enrollment process.

Getting Started

Parents, caregivers and young adults can contact us directly to talk about joining a support group. If appropriate, we will schedule a family intake appointment, during which we will talk about relevant family history, current family needs, and reactions to the death.

Intake appointments give children and adults the chance to familiarize themselves with the space and get an idea of what happens during a typical group. Everyone is encouraged to ask questions and discuss concerns to make sure they feel comfortable coming to Peter's Place.

If it's determined that a peer support group would be a good fit, families may enroll in a group immediately or at an appropriate date in the future.

When should I call?

Some families contact us immediately after a death, while others come to us months or even years later. We welcome families and young adults to contact us at any time they feel ready. During the initial intake process staff will work with the family to help determine whether group placement is appropriate and the best time to start.

Is there a cost?

All of our services are offered on a donation basis in order to ensure equal access to all members of the community. We ask that families make a donation that is comfortable for them so that we may continue to offer our services without charging, and will be given opportunities at intake and throughout the year to do so. The generous donations of families, community members and organizations help us to continue funding our efforts. To contribute to Peter's Place, visit our Donate page.

To set up an intake appointment or for more information, please contact our Director of On-Site Programs:
Kimberly Nelson, LCSW, at knelson@petersplaceonline.org or 610-687-5150.