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

Issue 16, January 2025

“May I…” — a Daily Affirmation Poem for Youth in Foster Care

As the Listening and Led by Youth in Foster Care: Grief, Hope, & Transitions (L.Y.G.H.T.) program continued to offer peer support groups throughout the holiday season, the L.Y.G.H.T. team shared this gift, the “May I... (A Daily Affirmation)” poem. Written by L.Y.G.H.T. Founder and National Director, Dr. Monique Mitchell, this poem was shared with teens and young adults residing at all our L.Y.G.H.T. community sites. The poem was originally published in the Child Welfare League of America (CWLA) publication, Living in an Inspired World: Voices and Visions of Youth in Foster Care.


As we start a new year, our hope is that this daily affirmation will affirm to youth their inherent worth, strength, and instill hope for their future. We want to thank all L.Y.G.H.T. program facilitators, Clinical Support personnel, and administrators for their commitment to supporting the L.Y.G.H.T. program and the participants during this time in their lives. 

The L.Y.G.H.T. Program: What Youth Have to Say

Youth in foster care are our greatest advocates for the L.Y.G.H.T. program. Here is what they have to say about L.Y.G.H.T.

Stay tuned for the next L.Y.G.H.T. newsletter where we will share the 2024 annual report, including feedback given directly from L.Y.G.H.T. youth participants, outcomes from this evidence-based peer grief support program, and the impact L.Y.G.H.T. has had, and continues to have, on youth in foster care. We look forward to sharing these exciting findings with you!

Get Grief-Informed: The Bill of Rights for Youth in Foster Care Who are Grieving

Do you know a youth in foster care who is grieving? The Bill of Rights for Youth in Foster Care Who are Grieving was developed by youth and incorporates feedback from youth in foster care who have participated in the L.Y.G.H.T. program.


Youth in foster care who are grieving deserve to be understood and given opportunities to safely express their grief. This document outlines the ways that adult caregivers, teachers, friends, and other people in a youth’s life can support them as they navigate their grief while in, and after, foster care.


We encourage you to share this document with youth in foster care, supportive adults, and any child welfare partners who provide support and services to youth in foster care. 

Expanding Peer Grief Support to Teens and Young Adults Across South Carolina

Dougy Center will offer the next South Carolina L.Y.G.H.T. Facilitator training from February 4-6, 2025, in Columbia. As the program expands across the state, so does our network of L.Y.G.H.T. Facilitators! We are excited to welcome new L.Y.G.H.T. facilitators who will help support and start up both Teen and Young Adult groups in all four regions of the state.


If you are in South Carolina and want to learn more about L.Y.G.H.T. community sites in the Lowcountry, Midlands, Upstate or PeeDee area, please contact SC L.Y.G.H.T. State Coordinator, Juliette Martinez, MSW at lyght@dougy.org or visit our program finder 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.



Follow us on Instagram: @lyghtprogram

Like our page on Facebook: @lyghtprogram 

If you are located in South Carolina and would like to submit a L.Y.G.H.T program referral for a young person to join a Teen or Young Adult Group, please visit our website here.

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

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