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
Dougy Center Saved Us by Offering a Life Raft When We Had No Bearings
“It was so helpful to be in a space designed especially for children, with people who understand grief and loss, even if you don’t necessarily know what that means for yourself yet. And to have time where I could lean into my own grief in a way that you can't as a parent because you have to be strong for your kids — that was also a gift. The volunteers at Dougy Center are lovely, beautiful spirits. The support for me was so amazing. Dougy Center definitely helped us find our sea legs during a time when we had no bearings.”
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
April 25th, 2025
Going Beyond Words: Supporting Children With Autism Who Are Grieving - Jennifer Wiles, M.A., LMHC, BC-DMT, FT
In this episode, we delve into the grief experiences of children and teens with autism. Our guest, Jennifer Wiles, M.A., LMHC, BC-DMT, FT - Director of the HEARTplay Program and a dance movement therapist with decades of experience - joins us to discuss how children with autism process grief and how parents and others in their lives can support them. Drawing on her background in both nonverbal forms of expression and grief support, Jennifer shares compassionate, practical insights rooted in her work with families. This conversation is both timely and essential, especially during Autism Acceptance Month, as it highlights the importance of expanding how we understand and support grief beyond more traditional approaches rooted in words. read more...
Go to EpisodeNews & Events
May 15th, 2025
Dougy Center Grief Education Webinar: The Youngest Grievers
A common myth is that children may not be impacted like adults after a death. In fact, it's not uncommon to hear comments such as, "they are too young to understand," when referring to children's experiences of loss. Join Dougy Center staff for this webinar where we dispel myths and raise awareness about children's grief.
Read MoreEvent
July 21st, 2025
Join Dougy Center for the 2025 International Summer Institute
Join Dougy Center’s knowledgeable staff for an opportunity to discover the fundamentals of developing and operating peer support groups for children, teens, and families who are grieving. Learn with colleagues from around the United States and beyond who plan to start or who have already directly established programs for children and families who are grieving.
Event
May 22nd, 2025
Healing Ourselves & Each Other with Susan Lieu
Dougy Center, in partnership with Literary Arts, present Healing Ourselves & Each Other with Susan Lieu. Join us Thursday, May 22, at Literary Arts, 716 SE Grand Ave in Portland for this free event with RSVP. Lieu will be in conversation with Jana DeCristofaro, Dougy Center's Advocacy & Education and host of Dougy Center's Grief Out Loud podcast.
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 60,000 people find hope and healing.