Ongoing Children's Peer-Based Grief Support Groups

Joel’s Place provides ongoing grief support group services free of charge.

For the initial intake meeting, our program staff meets with families one-on-one to assess their needs. We schedule the intake meeting at Bay Presbyterian Church so you can see the space in which you will be meeting should you choose to attend Joel’s Place.

Twice monthly grief support groups are held at Bay Presbyterian Church in Bay Village for children 5-18 and their families. We meet on Tuesday evenings.

We also offer a support group for adults who bring children to Joel’s Place. The adult sessions are held at the same time as the children’s sessions.

Dinner is offered beginning at 6:30 pm. Sessions take place from 7:00 – 8:15 pm.

Group participants share their experience and learn from the experiences of others. Age-appropriate discussions, craft projects, games, and books are selected to facilitate the expression of feelings. Sessions are confidential. What happens at Joel’s Place stays at Joel’s Place, unless we think safety is at risk.

While your children are participating in our groups, we are committed to providing a safe environment. All sessions are facilitated by at least two trained adults. References and fingerprinting are required for all facilitators.

Joel’s Place offers grief support groups. We do not offer therapy or counseling.

For more information, or to register, please call 440-248-4412 or Contact Us to tell us more about you and we will be in touch.

Our peer-based children, teens and family grief support groups meet in a space generously donated to us at Bay Presbyterian Church. The night begins with a family dinner at 6:30 PM, followed by the group meetings from 7:00 – 8:15 pm.

Bay Presbyterian Church 25415 Lake Road Bay Village, OH 44140

“Joel's Place helps you realize you're not alone."

2023
Sept 12 & 26
Oct 10 & 25
Nov 7 & 21
Dec 12

2024
Jan 16 & 30
Feb 13 & 27
Mar 12 & 26
April 9 & 23
May 7 & 21

Meet Our Children & Teen
Grief Support Group Facilitators

These trained, dedicated volunteer facilitators work with our children and teen grief support groups. We train volunteer facilitators to accompany children and teens on their grief journey. Joel’s Place is supported primarily by tax-deductible donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. We are supported in the community by organizations who donate space for our groups and by volunteers who donate everything from professional skills to snacks and supplies.

We are based on the Dougy Center Model of children’s bereavement support, in that we believe children have the power to help each other navigate and make meaning in their lives after the death of someone special. Our facilitators are trained to listen, and to encourage age-appropriate conversation among the children. Often crafts are made, games are played, and fun team-building activities are explored.

Each group has at least two adult facilitators. Get to know our facilitators below: