If you're a teen thinking about joining a Pathways group, you can find information on what to expect here.

Dougy Center’s mission is to provide peer support to children and teens who have a parent or sibling living with an advanced serious illness or are grieving a death. A child or teen must be participating for the adults in the family to attend groups. The Pathways Coordinator can help direct you to other resources if your child(ren) choose not to participate. Adult groups at Dougy Center are optional, however most adults find the group supportive and helpful. Adults who choose not to participate must remain onsite for liability, medical, and safety reasons.

Yes. Often adults find it difficult to find the words to start these challenging conversations with their children. Talking with the other adults in the peer support group and the Pathways Group Coordinators can bring some ease to these tough conversations. Contact a Pathways Coordinator at 503-775-5683 or pathways@dougy.org for more information.

Waiting until your family member is on hospice may be too late for your family to participate. Pathways is here to support your family after the diagnosis of an advanced serious illness (such as late stage cancer, ALS, and advanced neurological disease). Families have shared that having support earlier on the path helps with anxiety and not feeling so alone. Through the journey, your family member can continue to seek treatments, medical care, and maintain hope. Please contact the Pathways Coordinator if your person’s prognosis is less than three months to discuss other resources.