Dougy Center Volunteer Update, May 2026

May 2026

Facilitator Tip: Redirecting Behaviors

If you facilitate a group for kids or teens, you've likely encountered behaviors that create challenges for you or the other participants. While we want kids and teens to freely express themselves and their grief at Dougy Center, there are times when it's necessary to redirect certain behaviors.

We believe that grief is often communicated through behavior and that some, if not all, of the behaviors that create a challenge can be connected to processing loss. So, if the goal in our peer support groups is to create a safe space for kids and teens to express and process their grief, what should we do when some forms of expression are challenging and/ or in direct conflict with our safety guidelines? In these instances, the key is to address these behaviors in supportive ways that don’t close the door on kids and teens being able to express their grief. Reflecting on your time as a volunteer, which behaviors have you found most challenging to...Continue reading

Camp Samantha – We Need Your Help!

This summer we are hosting two day-long expressive arts camps for kids and teens. Come join us for a full day or half-day volunteer commitment to support kids and teens with art, music, movement, and more.

Dates: Friday, June 26th and Friday, August 7th.

Please reach out to Kelsey Duran at kelsey@dougy.org or 503-828-0404 to learn more.

Honoring Jerry Kissler

We received the heartbreaking news that one of our newest volunteers, Jerry Kissler, died in March of this year, just a few weeks after completing his facilitator training. During training, Jerry expressed how happy he was to be part of Dougy Center and had joined our Teen 8 group in SE Portland.

Jerry had a long tenure as an involved community member and was very dedicated to his work as a Board Member for Clackamas Women’s Services. Jerry’s family shared how excited he was to join the Dougy Center, and we are heartbroken that his journey ended just as he was getting started. He had many diverse interests and lived a life defined by service to others.

We are deeply grateful for the brief time we shared with him and will miss his kind heart and enthusiasm for supporting children and families.

Traveling This Summer?

We understand that summer brings many activities like travel, hosting loved ones, and enjoying time at home. To help us maintain sufficient volunteer coverage for all groups during June, July, August, and September, please let your Coordinator know ASAP if you expect to miss any sessions.

Dougy Center West Update

Some incredibly exciting updates to share about here.now. The Campaign for Dougy Center West, and they are BIG!! Thanks to the amazing generosity of our community, we are SO CLOSE to raising the dollars needed to cross the finish line which means we’re officially in the home stretch.

In early March, we celebrated the launch of construction with our friends at the Marquis Foundation to honor Dr. Malcolm Marquis, whose generous bequest allowed us to purchase the building in Beaverton. In his memory, the new center will be named “Dougy Center West: Malcolm’s House." And with that, this new intentionally designed, permanent home for Dougy Center on the westside is officially underway.

It is our hope to secure the final funds needed by the end of this year so that we can open strong in early 2027. At our Reflection Benefit on May 8th, we shared the exciting news about our fundraising and construction progress with those 400 friends of Dougy Center in attendance and cheers of joy erupted! Folks are excited to learn more.

We will be reaching out very soon to YOU, our extraordinary volunteers, to see how you’d like to be involved in bringing this long-held dream to life…and help us cross the finish line strong. Ready to jump in now? Reach out to Lani Faith, Dougy Center's Chief Development Officer. She’d love to connect.

One last thing, please take a moment to preview our new campaign webpage and learn more. We are so grateful for you and the support of this community. It’s finally happening!

Interested the Pathways program?

For over a decade, Dougy Center’s Pathways program has supported families dealing with an advanced serious illness.

With groups for children, teens, their adult caregiver, and their adult living with an advanced illness, Pathways offers support as each family member navigates the unknowns that a life-shortening illness brings to a family.

To learn more about our Pathways program or if you’re interested in being involved, please contact Rebecca or Meredith.

dougy.org · help@dougy.org · 503.775.5683