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
Meet the Lucas Family
Brigitte Lucas began bringing her daughter, Braelynn, to Dougy Center’s “Littles” group twice a month after her husband, Ethan, died of COVID just a few days before Christmas in 2021. Dougy Center is one of the few places where Brigitte, Braelynn, and Blaykley can talk about Ethan and feel safe to express whatever they need. Like other young children who are grieving, Braelynn struggled after Ethan’s death as she tried to understand what happened. She was tearful sometimes, mad sometimes, and sometimes regressed to earlier developmental stages. Brigitte was amazed when these behaviors began to ease not long after they started a Dougy Center group.
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
March 16th, 2023
Finding The Words - Colin Campbell
Colin Campbell is a lot of things - writer, husband, friend - but the role he identifies with most is being a father. So, when his two teenage children, Ruby & Hart, were killed by a drunk driver in 2019, Colin was lost and terrified. Who was he without his kids? How would he survive the intensity of grief? Soon after their deaths, well-meaning friends and family would say, "There are no words," but for Colin, this phrase wasn't comforting. It left him feeling more alone because what he really needed were words. Words so he could talk about Ruby & Hart. Words to help articulate his pain. And words from others who shared what they remembered and missed about his children. Colin's book, Finding the Words: Working Through Profound Loss With Hope and Purpose, outlines the words and actions that helped him stay close to Ruby & Hart while learning to live in a world without them. read more...
Go to EpisodeNews & Events
May 12th, 2023
26th Annual Porsche Boxster Raffle
Support families who are grieving by participating in the 26th Annual Dougy Center Porsche Boxster Raffle. This 2023 Porsche Boxster is valued at $69,970. Tickets are just $100 each and only 2,500 tickets will be sold. The winning ticket will be drawn on May 12, 2023 at the Dougy Center's Reflection Benefit & Auction. In addition, ticket holders will have the opportunity to win three $500 drawings. Drawings for the $500 cash prizes will be held at 2 p.m. on February 10, 2023, March 10, 2023, and April 10, 2022. Good luck and thank you for supporting Dougy Center!
Read MoreEvent
April 6th, 2023
Dougy Center Grief Education Webinar: Grief as a Mental Disorder, The Movement to Pathologize Grief
Labeling people who are grieving with “mental disorders” like Prolonged Grief Disorder, Complicated Grief, or Dysfunctional Grief has its proponents and critics. In this webinar we’ll take a brief but critical look at the movement and evidence for pathologizing grief, some of the implications of doing so, and why this matters.
Event
May 12th, 2023
2023 Reflection Benefit & Auction
Join us for Reflection presented by KinderCare Learning Companies, on Friday, May 12, 2023, at the Portland Art Museum and online. This fabulous evening of connection will feature original works of art made by Dougy Center participants and an amazing auction.
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.