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 light for families who are grieving
Leslie Harter-Berg brought her two boys, Wit (now 9) and Rory (now 7), to Dougy Center’s Littles group after their husband and father, Ryan, died suddenly in 2019 of an aneurysm and stroke. Talking about a death with young children who are grieving can be difficult. Leslie values the practical things she and the boys learned at Dougy Center, and they continue to bring Ryan up in conversation.“Dougy Center is such a beautiful safe place to walk through dark things.”
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
August 1st, 2025
Befriending Grief: Why She's Your Guide, Not Your Enemy – Dr. Jamie Eaddy
How do we move from seeing grief as something to fix or overcome, to understanding it as a lifelong companion and guide? In this conversation with Rev. Dr. Jamie Eaddy CT, CTP - educator, death doula, founder of Thoughtful Transitions, and creative force behind The Ratchet Grief Project® - she invites us to reimagine grief as a friend who helps us navigate loss, change, and transition. Drawing from her personal lineage of grief through the deaths of her grandmother, cousin, and uncle, Dr. J. shares how these experiences shaped her work supporting individuals and communities, especially those living at the intersections of marginalization and oppression. read more...
Go to EpisodeNews & Events
October 28th, 2025
2025 Focus on Hope
Show your support for children, teens, and families who are grieving and learn more about the life-changing work of Dougy Center. Join us for this inspiring luncheon featuring special guest, bestselling author Cheryl Strayed. Cheryl’s #1 New York Times bestseller, Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail, was made into an Oscar-nominated film. Her bestselling collection of Dear Sugar Columns, Tiny Beautiful Things, was adapted for Hulu. Cheryl’s books have sold more than five million copies around the world. Focus on Hope will also include a panel conversation with Dougy Center participants who will share how they express their grief through art. Hear their stories and learn how you can make an impact for families our community and beyond.
Read MoreArticle
August 1st, 2025
TEDx: Grief is to Feel, Not Fix
Dougy Center's Executive Director Brennan Wood was a featured speaker for TEDx Portland 13, where she shared her personal experiences and insights on grief.
Event
November 20th, 2025
FREE TO ATTEND Dougy Center Grief Education Webinar: Grief in the Teenage Years, What We Miss & What They Need
Teens navigating grief often respond with phrases like, "I'm fine" or "It's no big deal," leaving adults uncertain whether to inquire further. Yet, beneath the surface, many teens carry the weight of their loss in silence. In this webinar, Dougy Center staff will explore the unique ways teens experience and express grief, dispel common myths, and offer strategies for creating safe spaces where they feel seen, heard, and supported. This webinar is on Children's Grief Awareness Day and is free to attend with pre-registration.
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.