News from Dougy Center, January 2026

Upcoming Events

Tickets now on sale! Find out more here

Save the Date,
May 8, 2026

WEBINARS

Uncharted Territory: Supporting Children and Families Living with an Advanced Serious Illness January 22, 2026 Find out more and register

Becoming Grief-Informed: Foundations of Grief Education
February 19, 2026. Find out more and register

Dougy Center announces new Grief Education Webinar schedule for 2026

Join Dougy Center throughout the year for Grief Education Webinars. Whether you're a helping professional or want to better support someone who is grieving, Dougy Center's webinars provide practical information around specialized topics relating to grief support for children, teens, and families.

Register for two or more webinars at the same time for discounted pricing. Continuing education units will also be offered for some webinars.

Dougy Center is thrilled to once again provide a special webinar on Children's Grief Awareness Day at no cost to attendees. Details on this webinar, set for November 19, are coming soon.

The 2026 schedule also features in-depth discussions on two new topics — grief associated with an advanced serious illness, and grief after a stigmatized death. These include:

Uncharted Territory: Supporting Children and Families Living with an Advanced Serious Illness

January 22, 2026

presented by Rebecca Hobbs-Lawrence, M.A.

Explore the unique challenges faced by children, teens, and families living in the shadow of serious illness. We’ll discuss the needs of children at various developmental stages, the importance of honest and age-appropriate communication, and how professionals and caregivers can provide meaningful support during these critical moments.

Grief in the Shadows: Supporting Children and Teens after a Stigmatized Death

September 24, 2026

presented by Cristina Chipriano, L.C.S.W., F.T.

While any type of death can leave families feeling isolated, some are met with more shame and stigma than others. Deaths from suicide, homicide, substance use, or certain illnesses may evoke disapproval or blame toward the person for how they died, distracting from who they were and how they lived. This webinar explores the unique challenges faced by children and teens who are grieving a stigmatized death. Join us as we consider best practices for challenging stigma and providing meaningful support for children and families who are grieving a death that may be shrouded in silence and judgment.

Find the complete 2026 schedule and registration information at dougy.org/webinars.

Dougy Center's newest Tip Sheet focuses on supporting someone you care about who is grieving

When someone you care about is grieving, you might be unsure about what to do and say, or not do or say. Grief is confusing for the person who is grieving, but also for the people in their lives who want to show up and provide support that is actually supportive.

Just as you might not be sure what to do or say, people who are grieving might not know what they need or have the energy to articulate what would be helpful. This is why the phrase, “Let me know if I can do anything,” might be hard to hear. And — if you’ve already said it, don’t worry, almost everyone has at some point in their life.

Dougy Center's new resource, "Someone You Care About is Grieving: Tips for Supporting Them," includes helpful real-world tips on checking in, how to be a good listener, things to say and do, as well as ideas for taking care of yourself. Download it here.

Thank you for your year-end support

A huge thank you to Dougy Center's incredible community of supporters. As 2025 came to a close, you contributed thousands of dollars in donations for vital grief support programs and resources to help children, teens, young adults, and families.

Thank you also to our generous year-end matching donors, including an anonymous donor and siblings Rick Freedman and Joana Freedman, who collectively matched all gifts up to $35,000.

Because of your support, thousands of families will attend grief support groups at no charge and have access to resources and publications; and thousands of helping professionals will continue to receive training to support even more youth who are grieving.

Watch for exciting announcements in 2026 as we work to meet the growing need for grief support in the Portland community and beyond.

dougy.org · help@dougy.org · 503.775.5683