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

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

Issue 15, October 2024

L.Y.G.H.T. in Aiken, South Carolina:

Q & A with Monica Jeffcoat, CEO, Helping Hands

We asked the CEO of Helping Hands, Monica Jeffcoat, in Aiken, South Carolina why the L.Y.G.H.T. program is important to offer to the youth at their community site. Here’s what she shared:

How long have you been CEO at Helping Hands?

I have been the CEO of Helping Hands for almost two years and have been with Helping Hands for 16 years.

Why do you think supporting youth in foster care who have experience with grief and loss is important?

I believe that youth in foster care are often overlooked and misunderstood. They are often categorized with behavior issues, when essentially may not always be the case. Some of their needs can be met by addressing grief and loss that the youth experience in foster care. Imagine being removed not only from your family, but from those that you have relationships with such as friends, sports team members, church members, other foster youth, etc. I think recognizing and addressing that can be beneficial to the youth.

What do you value the most about implementing a program like LY.G.H.T. at Helping Hands?

L.Y.G.H.T. gives the youth a chance to lead and have their voices heard! It empowers them to communicate effectively with their peers and the facilitators. I am glad we were able to implement this program at our agency and we are looking forward to continued partnership with the Dougy Center.

“L.Y.G.H.T. gives the youth a chance to lead and have their voices heard!”

- Monica Jeffcoat, CEO of Helping Hands

“To Be Ripped Away From Your Family” – An article on L.Y.G.H.T.

In the article, Dr. Monique Mitchell shares about the impact of loss, grief, and relational connection for youth in foster care. Dr. Mitchell discusses the challenges that youth experience after being removed from their home and highlights the power of peer support. Click the link below to learn more about the impacts of the L.Y.G.H.T. program, an evidence-based, trauma-informed peer grief support intervention for youth in foster care. The L.Y.G.H.T. program was created in response to youth indicating their need to express their grief with others who could understand and relate to similar experiences while in foster care.

Dougy Center Publishes a New Spanish Self-Guided Grief Journal for Youth in Foster Care

We are thrilled to announce that a Spanish version of the Survive/Thrive journal, Sobrevivir/Superar, is now available. Sobrevivir/Superar is a self-guided grief journal created specifically for Spanish-speaking youth in foster care. Youth in the child welfare system make up a diverse population that represent different ethnicities and backgrounds. This wonderful resource is available for youth in foster care who would benefit from grief support in Spanish. Thank you to our funders, The Duke Endowment, the New York Life Foundation, and Ellen Nusblatt.

Find out more about the Sobreviver/Superar journal here.

Grief and the Foster Care System – A Personal Story

Tune in to this episode of Grief Out Loud for an important interview with Kevin, a past L.Y.G.H.T. participant. Kevin shares how a random vending machine trip prompted him to join the L.Y.G.H.T. program, how he found support as he grieved both death and non-death losses, and how he carries what he learned into his daily life.

Listen to Kevin’s story here. You can also learn more about the L.Y.G.H.T. program on Ep. 136: L.Y.G.H.T. - Supporting Grieving Youth in the Foster Care System.

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.