The Den For Grieving Kids provides a safe, caring place for children, teens and families to explore their feelings about the loss of a parent, sibling or other family member and begin the journey toward healing. Children and their families participate in groups led by professionals and trained volunteer facilitators.
The Den also offers support groups at area elementary, middle and high schools. The Den's focus is on supporting children and families and if necessary, our staff may refer family members for individual or group therapy at the Center for HOPE or within Family Centers' Counseling and Mental Health Program. Our professionals also provide trauma response services for community groups, schools or businesses.
The Den is a comprehensive bereavement resource center that does not charge a fee for participating individuals and families, and relies on over 50 volunteers and numerous charitable contributions to cover its operating budget. Our volunteers and donors help make The Den an important community of belonging, and we actively engage their support for its ongoing success.
 Who Participates?
Connecticut and New York families who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling or other family member are welcome to participate. The Den's programs are non-denominational and confidential.
When and Where?
The Den's evening support groups are held twice a month on Wednesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. at Family Centers' Greenwich office at 40 Arch Street. A pizza/salad dinner is served at 6:30 pm before the support groups begin at 7 pm.
An intake interview is required before attending any of The Den's meetings. Please email Maynely Rodriguez or call 203-413-4467 for information or to schedule an intake interview.
Our Guiding Principles
Our society often fails to understand or support the needs of a child and family in grief. Therefore, The Den For Grieving Kids follows principles adopted from the Dougy Center, a nationally renowned program for grieving children and their families. At The Den, we believe that:
Grief is a natural reaction to the loss of a loved-one for both children and adults.
Each of us has an innate capacity to heal from grief and loss. The duration and intensity of grief are unique for each individual. Caring and acceptance assist in the healing process.
 Evening Support Groups
Children ages 3 to 18 are grouped according to age and participate in a variety of friendship-building and grief-related activities. Parents/caregivers meet separately to discuss issues pertinent to them. Families attend bi-weekly meetings on either Monday or Wednesday evening at Family Centers' offices at 40 Arch Street in Greenwich.
Den Youth Groups: Littles (3-5), Middles 1 (6-9), Middles 2 (10-12), Teens (13-18)
Den Adult Groups: Young Adults (19-32), Spousal Loss, Child Loss, General Loss, Spanish-Speaking, Caregivers
The Den provides support for children and families who have experienced a death due to illness, accident, suicide or homicide. There is also a support group specifically for parents who have lost a child. The Den also offers specialty groups for Spanish-speaking parents, young adults, those coping with miscarriage, stillbirth or infant loss. In addition, a general bereavement group for adults is also held bi-weekly on Monday evenings.
For additional information about The Den's evening support groups, call or Email Maynely Rodriguez at 203-413-4467 to arrange an initial appointment.
For a listing of The Den's 2024-2025 meeting schedule, click here.
 School-Based Support Groups
The Den staff collaborates with school social workers, guidance counselors, principals and faculty to provide this confidential support service during the school day to students who are grieving the loss of a family member or friend. The Den currently offers on-site, school-day support groups at:
Stamford: J.M. Wright Technical High School, Stamford High School, Westhill High School, AITE High School, Scofield Magnet Middle School, Rippowam Middle School, Rogers International School, Stark Elementary, KT Murphy Elementary
Norwalk: Brien McMahon High School, Norwalk High School, Nathan Hale Middle School, Ponus Middle School, CMS K-8, Brookside Elementary School, Fox Run Elementary School, SoNo Neighborhood School, Cranbury Elementary, Jefferson Elementary, Wolfpit Elementary
The Den is able to offer school-based bereavement support groups to public, private or charter schools in the lower Fairfield County area. For information or to discuss starting a Den group at your school, call or email Maynely Rodriguez at 203-413-4467.
Speakers and Professional Workshops
The Den team and other Family Centers' professional staff are available to speak to groups at schools, businesses, organizations and houses of worship on bereavement, loss or other family issues. Call or email Bill Brucker at 203-869-4848 for information.
Trauma Response
When a school, business or community organization experiences a loss of one of its members, our bereavement specialists are available for consultation and debriefing sessions with students, employees or staff. Call or email Jill Winner at 203-629-3167.
 Volunteer Opportunities
Support Group Facilitator
The Den for Grieving Kids is a free group grief support program that creates a safe environment for children, teens, parents and caregivers to discuss their bereavement. Each Den group is facilitated by two volunteers. The Den provides initial and ongoing training and guidance to help volunteer facilitators develop their capacity to be a helpful presence to the bereaved.
We offer two types of facilitator positions: School-Based Group Facilitators and Nights of Service Facilitators. School-based group facilitators commit to a weekly schedule of about one hour onsite at their assigned school, October through April, with some preparation time requjired outside of the school visit. Den groups take place in schools in the greater Greenwich/Stamford/Norwalk area. Nights of service facilitators are asked to committ to two Wednesday evenings a month (from 6 to 8:30 p.m.) year-round at 40 Arch Street in Greenwich. The evening consists of a pre and post-meeting between facilitators and staff to both prepare and debrief about the interactions with participants. Grief groups run from 7 to 8 p.m.
Greeter
The Den greeters help to create a community atmosphere to allow families to relax and feel welcome. Greeters set up and serve a pizza dinner tha precedes the support group sessions, and then clean up after dinner. Most importantly, they welcome participants as they arrive and interact with children, parents or other family members. Teen volunteers are welcome. Greeters make an ongoing committment two Wednesdays per month from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
If interested in becoming a support group facilitator or greeter, please reach out to Tyler Shanafelt.
Donate to The Den
The Den is a comprehensive bereavement resource center that does not charge a fee for participating individuals and families and relies entirely on charitable contributions to cover its operating budget.
If you would like to make a donation to The Den For Grieving Kids or become a sponsor, call or email Bill Brucker at 203-869-4848. You can also donate online using our secure Online Giving Form.
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