Seven-year-old Finley Jucksch and her mom, Sarah Yauger, were living through a dark season of grief. In just seven months, Finley lost three of her grandparents. Thanks to donor support, Finley is learning to navigate her loss with help from the KIDZ’NGRIEF program. Donor gifts helped expand Bon Secours’ pediatric bereavement program in Hampton Roads.

“Because of this program, my daughter had a safe space to experience her own feelings, which was priceless for me,” Sarah says.

The KIDZ’NGRIEF program was offered at Finley’s elementary school. She attended meetings every other week after school. Children can continue with the program as long as they want.

“She saw other students who had also experienced losses going through the exact same thing she was,” says Sarah. “She was able to verbalize her feelings and talk about it more. It was like a support group at school.”

Art projects are an effective way for children to come to grips with their emotions. In one meeting, Finley made a teddy bear she could hug when she felt sad. In another, she created a lanyard and name tag to honor her grandparents’ memory.

“It was something the kids would wear while they talked about what’s important to them,” Sarah says.

KIDZ’NGRIEF is in its 20th year of service in Hampton Roads. It has helped thousands of children cope with the changes and emotions that come with experiencing the death of a loved one. Sarah is grateful to you for providing a safe environment for each child to adjust to their loss.