The Right Place When Nothing Feels Right
When someone dies, it can feel like you’re alone in your grief. 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
Finding Support During the Pandemic
Ann Dagostino, and her kids Andrew (11), Alexis (7), and Nicholas (5), started coming to Dougy Center in 2017, after the death of their husband and father, Mark. Through both in-person groups before the pandemic, and now in virtual groups, the Dagostino family has found a safe place at Dougy Center. “It has given us the words and space to talk about our experience and our feelings, and about how our life has changed and moved forward since Mark’s death,” said Ann. She appreciates having a place to feel “normal” and where they can be with other families who are going through similar situations.
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
November 22nd, 2021
Grief & Money - Suddenly Responsible For Everything
This is the second episode in our three-part Grief & Money series. Jessica was in her early twenties when she became a full-time caregiver for her mother who was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. At the same time, Jessica was traveling to Colombia to care for her father who had Alzheimer's. After her parents died just three months apart, Jessica assumed responsibility for their finances. All while navigating the intense shock and heartbreak of their deaths. read more...
Go to EpisodeNews & Events
November 30th, 2021
Be the Light in Someone's Darkness this #GivingTuesday
On #GivingTuesday, consider a year-end gift to Dougy Center. Your donation directly impacts the 1,065 children, teens, young adults, and adult families members we are serving right now through grief support groups, and the thousands more we serve through free resources and community outreach. An estimated 175,000 children have had a parent or primary caregiver die of COVID-19. You can be a light for kids and teens who are grieving right now.
Read MoreArticle
July 20th, 2021
New book explores The Dougy Center Model
Dougy Center is proud to announce its newest resource, The Dougy Center Model: Peer Grief Support for Children, Teens, and Families. Written by Dr. Donna Schuurman and Dr. Monique Mitchell, and generously funded by the New York Life Foundation, the book provides an in-depth look at Dougy Center's history and the theoretical framework of the model that has been used to build and grow more than 500 programs throughout North America and around the world.
Article
November 2nd, 2021
Brennan Wood writes "A Kids Book About Grief"
We are excited to announce a new book written by Dougy Center's Executive Director, Brennan Wood. A Kids Book About Grief, created in collaboration with A Kids Company About About, features Brennan's personal experience with grief after the death of her mom when she was 12.
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 55,000 people find hope and healing.