L.Y.G.H.T. News, February 2024

A program of Dougy Center: The National Grief Center for Children & Families

Issue 12, February 2024

Survive/Thrive NEW L.Y.G.H.T. Resource

The L.Y.G.H.T. team is excited to share a new resource created for youth in foster care. Survive/Thrive is a self-guided grief journal filled with activities and writing prompts to help youth in foster care express themselves as they navigate through their grief and loss. The L.Y.G.H.T. team looks forward to sharing this resource with South Carolina L.Y.G.H.T program participants and L.Y.G.H.T. community partners.

The journal is now available for purchase through the Dougy Center Bookstore. You can also download a flyer here.

L.Y.G.H.T. is Expanding

In 2024, the L.Y.G.H.T. program will expand across South Carolina to provide more youth in foster care with grief support. We want to thank all of the child welfare organizations who have expressed interest in the program and look to implement an evidenced-based peer grief support program to teens and young adults in foster care.

Thank you to the South Carolina Department of Social Services, The Duke Endowment, and the New York Life Foundation for their continued support to ensure the L.Y.G.H.T. program reaches youth in foster care throughout South Carolina. Your support is valued and appreciated!

L.Y.G.H.T. Makes a Positive Impact

From September 2021 to June 2023, 78 youth in foster care across South Carolina participated in a second randomized control trial (RCT) of the L.Y.G.H.T. program, with the program being accessed more than 500 times! Youth who engaged in the program reported that social support, hopefulness, and self-worth INCREASED. Results indicate even greater effects after six months with a positive large effect for hopefulness, social support, and self-worth. Read the complete annual report here.

Stay Connected with L.Y.G.H.T.

Follow all things L.Y.G.H.T. on our Instagram and Facebook social media platforms where you will find weekly posts and L.Y.G.H.T. updates, including upcoming events and grief resources for supporting youth in foster care.

Like our page on Facebook: @lyghtprogram

For more information about L.Y.G.H.T., send us an email or visit our website.