L.Y.G.H.T. News, January 2026

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

Issue 20, January 2026

Welcome new L.Y.G.H.T. Facilitators in Oregon

We’re excited to announce that 13 new facilitators completed the L.Y.G.H.T Facilitator training last November at Dougy Center in Portland, Oregon.

As the Listening and Led by Youth in Foster Care: Grief, Hope, & Transitions (L.Y.G.H.T.) program officially launches in Oregon, these dedicated facilitators will support the program delivery of teen and young adult peer grief support groups with our partners at Project Lemonade and New Avenues for Youth.

Thank you to the newest facilitators and organization leaders for their partnership to enhance the well-being for youth in foster care throughout Portland!

L.Y.G.H.T. groups are starting in Portland

We extend our deepest gratitude to our facilitators and community sites, with their commitment to making it possible to launch two new L.Y.G.H.T. groups in Portland, Oregon this month. Below are the details for each group.

Project Lemonade:

Starting this month, Project Lemonade will offer a peer grief support group for teens in foster care ages 12-16. The group will be held bi-weekly on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8 p.m.

New Avenues for Youth:

New Avenues for Youth will also be offering a peer grief support group for young adults ages 17-23 who are in, or have recently transitioned out of, foster care. The group will be held bi-weekly on Thursday evenings from 6-7:30 p.m.

Download the flyer here to help spread the word about these new resources available for youth in Portland.

For more information about how to join a group or group calendars, please contact the L.Y.G.H.T. team at lyght@dougy.org.

Find us at the Child Welfare League of America (CWLA) Conference

The L.Y.G.H.T. team will be attending the CWLA 2026 National Conference and will be hosting an exhibit table! This marks an important opportunity to expand our reach, share resources, and connect with professionals, organizations, and leaders in the children and family serving sector.

Why this matters

The CWLA conference is a premier national gathering of child welfare and allied professionals. It presents a diverse environment of learning, sharing, networking, and influence. At our exhibit table, we will showcase the Get-Grief Informed Campaign and share more about the campaign with agency leaders, frontline workers, researchers, advocates, and others who are shaping policy and practice.

We will also be showcasing our newest book, Living with Purpose & Hope: Voices & Visions of Youth in Foster Care. Stop by our table to learn more!

Save the date and visit us!

April 20-22, 2026, in Arlington, VA

Connect with L.Y.G.H.T.

Follow L.Y.G.H.T. on Instagram: @lyghtprogram and Facebook: @lyghtprogram for updates, upcoming events, and grief resources for supporting youth in foster care.

Make a Referral

As we continue to expand the L.Y.G.H.T. program, there are two key pathways for a youth to be referred to receive peer grief support:

Youth can refer themselves here

Youth can be referred by a care provider here (e.g., caseworker, foster parent/resource parent, advocate, therapist, etc.)

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