The Right Place When Nothing Feels Right
At Dougy Center, you will find support, resources, and connection before and after a death.
Grief Resources & Toolkits
Whether you’re grieving, or you’re helping someone who is grieving, Dougy Center is here for you. Find tip sheets, activities, podcasts, and more through our personalized toolkits.
Find Grief Support Near You
Locate peer grief support groups in Portland and around the world.
What We Do
At Dougy Center, we create safe spaces and free resources for children and families who are grieving. Our pioneering peer grief support model, professional training, and world-renowned programs and advocacy bring hope and healing around the world.
The Impact of Dougy Center
Read stories about the positive impact of Dougy Center on children and families who are grieving
“A place where we can be ourselves”
After Sam died of cardiac arrest at the age of 41, Adriane was eager to find support for her two sons. Abe and Sol (ages 10 and 9 at the time of their father’s death nearly nine years ago) appreciated the unspoken understanding they found at Dougy Center. It was a place where they could be around other kids who had experienced a similar loss. Peer grief support groups at Dougy Center are organized by age and by the type of death their person experienced, while also recognizing that each loss is unique. Adriane reflected, “Sharing space with other kids who had endured a similar circumstance was incredibly grounding and reassuring for my boys. They did not feel like they were the only ones. They did not feel alone. It was a space where you could share and talk if you wanted or listen and process quietly. Healing can be found in all of it.”
Read the Full StoryGrief Out Loud Podcast
Grief Out Loud® is our internationally acclaimed podcast where we talk openly about death, dying, and grief
Latest Episode
July 7th, 2026
Learning From Grief - David Ferrugio On Memory, Meaning, And Moving Forward
For most of us, September 11th is a tragic collective memory. But for today's guest, it's a personal one that marks the day his father died. David Ferrugio was twelve years old when his dad was killed in the World Trade Center. Twenty-five years later, his grief continues to unfold - from recently sitting with his father's forensic file at the 9/11 Memorial to hosting his own podcast, DEAD Talks, where he invites people into honest conversations about death, grief, and what it means to keep living. In this conversation, David reflects on carrying his private grief through such a public loss. We talk about what it was like to be so young when his dad died, the memories he's held onto, and the new stories he's discovered through other people who also knew his father. David talks about the ways grief found expression before he had words for it - from watching footage of the attacks over and over, to blasting Linkin Park while wearing himself out with a punching bag, to eventually finding his voice through podcasting and writing. read more...
Go to EpisodeNews & Events
June 12th, 2024
Summertime and Grief: Tips for Parents & Caregivers
Summer is a season of mixed emotions for many families in grief. The end of school and after-school activities can be a relief for some, especially if they struggled with having enough energy and concentration for class and homework. Others will miss the structure and social time that school and sports provide. Here are some tips to support children and teens who are grieving this summer.
Read MoreEvent
November 19th, 2026
Dougy Center Grief Education Webinar: The Child We Once Were, How lived experience shapes the way we support kids who are grieving
Through lived experience and professional insight, the conversation will explore how childhood grief shapes the way we support children and families who are grieving today. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of how small, intentional actions can make a meaningful difference in a child’s grief journey. This webinar is free to attend with your registration.
Event
September 24th, 2026
Dougy Center Webinar: Grief in the Shadows, Supporting Children and Teens After a Stigmatized Death
While any type of death can leave families feeling isolated, some are met with more shame and stigma than others. Deaths from suicide, homicide, substance use, or certain illnesses may evoke disapproval or blame toward the person for how they died, distracting from who they were and how they lived. This webinar explores the unique challenges faced by children and teens who are grieving a stigmatized death. We will discuss the profound emotional complexities, including the guilt, blame, powerlessness, and fear, that can accompany these losses. Join us as we consider best practices for challenging stigma and providing meaningful support for children and families who are grieving a death that may be shrouded in silence and judgment.
About Dougy Center
Dougy Center was founded in 1982 to support children and families who are grieving before and after a death. Today, The Dougy Center Model is world-renowned and has helped thousands of people find hope and healing.