Jeff's Place

We have been going to Jeff’s Place now for about 4 months on the recommendation from the staff at MGH. Our daughter passed away unexpectedly and it was very difficult to find a support group for 8yr old son with others siblings in similar situations. He loves coming to the groups and it’s helped me and my wife also tremendously. The staff are caring and understanding and I’m glad they are there in these most difficult times.

Jeff's Place has become a wonderful resource for our high school students. With their help, we have been able to implement more and more grief education and grief group opportunities, both of which have aided in the healing process for students most in need of support. Their clinicians and entire team have been lovely to work with, and I look forward to our continued partnership for the sake of staff and students alike!

Jeff’s place has been a god send for my daughter after losing my husband/her father in late 2019. A Coworker recommended Jeff’s place and told me all about the amazing work they do. We started attending in 2021 and she absolutely loves it! Looks forward to going every 2 weeks!

Where do I begin? Jeff's Place has been a lifesaver. The staff are genuinely loving, caring, knowledgeable, and relatable. They made my daughter and me feel welcome before we even met them face to face. My daughter lost her father in a tragic motorcycle accident last year. Since then, she has had a few therapy intakes and many therapy sessions, but nothing compares to Jeff's Place. I wish I had found this place sooner. My daughter, who is very quiet and reserved, was able to come out of her shell and be around other children who have also lost loved ones. Jeff's Place has proven exceptionally beneficial. Every time we leave Jeff's Place, I notice a change in my child—a little glimpse of happiness. There are also groups for adults/guardians. I was a little hesitant about participating, but it was the best decision I made. I have learned so much from the staff and the other grieving guardians. Overall, this place is like a sanctuary. It made us feel safe to be open and vulnerable. Thank you so much, Jeff's Place!

Jeff’s place has offered a welcome and safe home for myself and my daughter as we navigate our loss. Having a place where we both have our space and community of people who understand our grief has been so helpful. There are so few places that offer a community for children who experience the loss of their parent. It’s wonderful for her to have a community who understands and counselors and volunteers who facilitate a safe space for them to express themselves and navigate their feelings. As a parent it’s great to have a support group who truly understands and are able to help each other. The team at Jeff’s place has made us feel welcome, seen, heard, and truly foster an amazing program through their groups.

Jeff's Place is an amazing nonprofit. It helps to provide children, adolescents, young adults and caregivers a place to feel less alone and talk about their grief. It uses the arts and play to normalize grief and to practice talking about their grief. It is a special place where all emotions are welcomed and validated. Jeff's Place has changed my life for the better.

I am so grateful for the experienced and friendly support of the clinicians and staff members at Jeff's Place. I am a grandparent raising a grandson. I joined a newly formed specialty group at Jeff's Place that focuses on the grieving of a loved one who died from addiction. Everyone grieves differently and every death is deeply painful. I found that sharing with others who have been touched by addiction helps to grieve their death with dignity and healing. My grandson also shares with youngsters who share their common sadness and learn how to understand that they are grieving and find the language to express their feelings. The friends we have met in the group remind me that we are not alone and we can heal together. My grandson and I also share fun and laughter with our new friends at the occasional celebrations held at the center. Thanks Jeff's Place!

I cannot express how grateful I am for having found support through Jeff's place. After losing my fiance and father to my two young boys (3 and 1), Jeff's place has been that place for me filled with people who see my struggles because they're living it too. I am able to use this time twice a month during my busy chaotic life to sit in my grief while my son can also meet with kids his age and work on big feelings. It is a group that no one wants to be a member of, but so important to provide hope and support as we journey through our grief and healing.

Jeff's Place has helped me and my kids in ways we didn't even realize we needed at the time. The gentle and inclusive support we received from our first visit has been instrumental in helping us cope with the loss of our husband/Dad. We have found a community here that includes the staff, volunteers, and our fellow group members. Jeff's Place is now our safe and welcoming space that makes us feel less alone and provides tools to help hold hope and joy in our grief.

My family landed at Jeff's Place during the most difficult time, and they were there to hold us through it all. We have grown so much in our grief because of Jeff's Place, and we are forever grateful to the care and support they have given to us....all free of charge for grieving families. They are an outstanding group doing outstanding work in our community.

We have attended Jeff's Place since the unexpected death of our two year old son. Our surviving children love meeting friends who have also experienced the death of a sibling and having a space to talk about their brother and their feelings and fears since his death. My husband and I also appreciate being able to talk to other families and the Jeff's Place clinicians about the challenges of parenting while grieving.

I am continually impressed by the compassionate and supportive environment fostered at Jeff’s Place. The dedication to creating a safe, caring space for families navigating the complexities of grief is truly remarkable. Jeff’s Place stands out for its commitment to individualized support, honoring each person’s unique journey and allowing families to find comfort and community in a way that feels both genuine and healing. It is a valuable resource and a testament to the power of empathetic care in times of profound need. I wholeheartedly recommend Jeff’s Place for those seeking a space of solace, connection, and understanding.

After my young Grandson died unexpectedly, I joined the Grandparent Support Group at Jeff’s Place. It is an online group facilitated by Michele who is very experienced, warm and intuitive. Our group is comprised of people from many different areas who are trying to manage their own grief of the loss of their grandchild as well as trying to support their own daughter or son who lost their child and the siblings and other family members of this child.
The ripple effect of child loss feels never ending and very complex. With Michele’s guidance, we have learned so much about the many facets of grief, the many phases of grief as well as the responses to grief by adults and children. We have been introduced to many books and publications in this group. We have discussed all of this in our group with Michele and each other. I am so grateful for all that I have learned at Jeff’s Place.
I am also grateful for the connections that we have formed with the other group members. No matter where we are in our grief journey, Our Jeff’s Place Group provides us with an opportunity to share, learn, strategize and support each other.
I highly recommend Jeff’s Place.

Jeff's Place is a community full of support for grief and bereavement. They have been able to help so many people transform their lives and point of view with grief. While we continue to remember those who have died, Jeff's Place creates a sacred space to remember their special person each time and share their stories. I am honored to be a part of this journey in helping people connect with other community members who have similar experiences, and create hope within their lives. At Jeff's Place, no one grieves alone!

We have been attending Jeff's Place since losing my wife / mother of two for a couple of years and are better because of it without a doubt. The staff is friendly and we actually look forward to attending group sessions, not only as an avenue to 'get it all out' but to listen and support others in similar situations. Knowing you are not alone is meaningful and appreciated and is what Jeff's Place reminds us every time we attend.

While I have always been a great admirer of Jeff’s Place, its mission and vision, it was not until I became fortunate enough to join the Jeff’s Place team that I truly became aware of how incredibly special Jeff’s Place is. The team at Jeff’s Place, as well as all those affiliated with Jeff’s Place, simply know no bounds and are constantly going above and beyond that which is wanted or needed. My admiration has only grown, and I could not be prouder of Jeff’s Place and its team.

My husband passed away when our daughter was just a year old. At the age of 12 another stage of grief started to hit her and she felt kids at school couldn’t relate to her. Luckily we found Jeff’s Place. Being able to come every few weeks has helped her tremendously. It doesn’t matter which stage of grief you are in. Jeff’s Place allows the kids to be with kids that understand what they are going through. When joining I personally didn’t feel the need to be in a parent group but it is part of the program and I have enjoyed my time listening to others and sharing my own experiences.

In September of 2022 we lost our 10 year old granddaughter to a tragic accident in her home while her entire family was there. The night before I was there helping her with her homework, making her favorite dinner, helping her get dressed up for an etiquette class she was taking and 14 hours later she was dead.
Her death changed the entire dynamics of our family. My daughter and her husband just wanted to be alone with each other and their remaining 2 children. I went from seeing them from 2-3 times a week to not at all for over 2 months. I was devastated. I felt like not only had I lost my beloved granddaughter but also my daughter and her family.
Through Jeff’s Place’s Grandmothers Group I met other grandmothers going through the same emotions I was. It was incredibly comforting to find out that my daughter’s reactions were a normal part of her grief process and she would come around.
The women I have met through our sessions have brought me warmth, understanding and friendships I cherish. Our facilitator, Michele, has helped tremendously guiding us through our healing process.
Some of us have talked on the phone and met for coffee. Knowing others that have the same broken heart and completely understand what we are going through is priceless.
I am so grateful for getting the comfort, understanding and friendships through my association with Jeff’s Place.

Jeff’s Place is a place that is a safe place for families dealing with unimaginable grief to learn how to cope. A place where they can be with others who know what they are going through. It has been a lifesaver for my family the last 4 years.

Thanks to Jeff's Place I am working on healing my broken heart after child loss. They are wonderful with helping families grieve and begin to work on moving forward.

I brought my 16 year old daughter to Jeff's Place after my husband died. She attended an amazing teen group which gave her a place to connect with other teens who understood what she was going through. The group leaders provided a caring space to discuss feelings and create friendships. I also attended a parent group which was incredibly helpful in navigating my own grief as well as helping me support my grieving children . Because Jeff's Place was so helpful to us, I now volunteer as a co-facilitator for parent groups to support other grieving parents. I'm so grateful for the wonderful staff at Jeff's Place and the services they provide!

Jeff's Place has been an anchor in my life. I am here today because of what Jeff's Place has offered to me. Thank you!

My grandson's mom passed of Covid in May 2020 and he was very depressed. A friend suggested we contact Jeff's' Place. Since it was in the middle of the Epidemic, we were on Zoom. When we were able to attend in person, it was a wonderful experience.. He has made friends there and able to share his thoughts with them. We continue to come to Jeff's Place and love the camaraderie with the other families . The pizza is great too !
I would absolutely recommend JP to any child and parent who has a loss. It's don a great deal for my grandson

I lost my beloved grandson in May 2023. I looked everywhere for a grief group for grandparents. None existed until I found Jeff’s Place. It is a unique loss because I was grieving for my beloved grandson, but my heart was also broken for my daughter. At Jeff’s place I found my people! Other grandmothers and a compassionate leader who understood the depth of this double loss. I am deeply grateful.

My family is incredibly grateful for the support that Jeff’s Place has provided following the death of my husband to cancer in 2021. My daughters, ages 10 and 5, look forward to going to Jeff’s Place to spend time with other children who understand what it feels like to lose a parent at a young age. The counselors at Jeff’s Place are so welcoming and compassionate, in addition to being very knowledgeable regarding the support that children need while grieving the unimaginable loss of a parent. The past year has been incredibly sad, isolating and overwhelming for my family. The community we’ve found at Jeff’s Place has made our heartbreak more bearable. It’s amazing to see the smiles on my daughters’ faces when they are at Jeff’s Place.

I work as a school psychologist and have referred many families to Jeff's Place over the years. The immediate care and collaboration that have provided support for families during their most vulnerable times have been extremely helpful and appreciated.

Jeff's Place is an invaluable resource in our community! The counselors at Jeff's Place were there for our staff, students and families when one of our students passed away. They were on-site within hours and stayed for weeks to provide much needed support, guidance and resources. I cannot even imagine navigating this very difficult time without Jeff's Place at our side. We will forever be grateful to the people at Jeff's Place for their compassion and expertise.

I am the director of counseling at a middle school in Framingham. Dealing with the grief from the loss of a loved one is difficult on anyone. It can be extremely more challenging for middle school students who may not have yet developed coping strategies. That is where Jeff's Place has been vital to our school community. For several years now, Jeff's Place has offered free services to our Middle School students who are struggling with the loss of a loved one. Jeff's Place has been extremely professional, understanding, and available to service our students. The counselor that Jeff's Place has provided our school to facilitate a grief group on our campus for our students has created an experience for our students like no other. The counselor's ability to create a safe space where talking about grief is normalized is just remarkable. Our students in feedback forms have expressed nothing but glowing reviews for the group and the services that Jeff's Place provides. I whole heartedly recommend Jeff's Place to anyone looking for grief counseling. You will not regret your decision to work with them.

I am a volunteer with Jeff's Place and have had a wonderful experience working with this organization. The staff are friendly, understanding, caring, and dedicated to serving their community as best as they can. The space is comfortable and inviting. The families served here are grateful to have a safe space to come together, share their story, find community, and cultivate hope.

My children and I have felt so supported by the counselors and volunteers at Jeff's Place. It is such a nurturing and safe place and we have not felt alone in our grief. Jeff's place has been a wonderful resource for my family to heal from my husbands death.

Jeff's Place has been and continues to be essential in helping my family(daughter, grandson and myself) make it through my granddaughter's passing. Through the first year, through Covid isolation and currently they have been there for us. The staff is kind and responsive, always looking for ways to assist us.

My daughter was 15 when she lost her dad and I became a widow. We came to Jeff’s Place and I can’t thank them enough for giving us hope, caring and nurturing at the darkest time of our lives. To make matters worse COVID isolation was the new norm, and thanks to Jeff’s Place we felt less alone as we grieved. My daughter was able to connect, support and rely on other grieving teenagers like herself, and I met other supportive caretakers. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I wish nobody else would need a place like Jeff’s Place but if you do they will be there for you

My son passed away 12/2020 and his son was 6 at the time and still has anxiety and depression from missing him and not having him around to do the things they use to do together. We joined Jeff's Place over a year ago and this program has made a big impact on his life. He looks forward to going to group to be with other children that can relate to what he is feeling. The staff is amazing with all of the children by giving them a safe and comfortable place to share feelings and enjoy playing games and doing activities. I join in the adult group for parents/grandparents which helps to give us an outlet and to find so much support for our own grief and we can openly share how we are and our kids or grandchild is doing and share things that can help deal with issues that may come up in the grieving process that we are going through and the children. This was one of the best decision I made since my son's death and feel so much love and support from the other families as well as the staff. I don't look forward to doing much but I can say that I do look forward to going to Jeff's Place for the continued support and all the fun activities they hold during the year for the kids to get together and just have fun and be kids like they were always meant to be and Jeff's Place gives that back to them!

I can't say enough about this wonderful place!! They are welcoming, understanding, and truly "meet you where you are" on your grief journey. The addition of their beautiful, permanent space is an incredible sight. They really do live by the motto that "hope grows here". Cannot say enough about the helpful staff. I wish every community had their own Jeff's Place.

Jeff’s place came into our lives at the most difficult time and we are so thankful for this place. It has been an amazing place for my kids to not feel alone while trying to navigate childhood and grief.

My first encounter with Jeff's Place was as a client when they were called to assist at the school where I teach. I was so impressed by the dedication, knowledge, and commitment of the staff that I applied to be a volunteer with their children's groups. Spending time with and helping the children and families at Jeff's Place is one of the most gratifying experiences I have ever had. It is a privilege to work with such amazing people.

I truly can't say enough about Jeff's Place & the entire staff that works there. At the time we started at Jeff's Place I was completely lost after the loss of my wife & my two children were beyond heartbroken. Jeff's Place welcomed us with open arms & we all felt that we were no longer alone in our loss. We met other families that had experienced what we had which was invaluable in our healing process. I would highly recommend Jeff's Place to any family that has gone through the loss of a parent. I really don't think we would be where we are today without them. We are forever grateful!

Jeff's Place provides an amazing service to families who are grieving! I took my teenage daughter to a group after my husband died. She found other grieving teens who she could share with and who understood what she was going through, As much as friends want to be supportive, it was so healing to be with others who had also experienced loss. I attended a parent group simultaneously to get support as I was grieving and also trying to support three grieving kids. It was enormously helpful on so many levels. We both found a community of people who are still in our lives. The Jeff's Place staff is amazing and we are so grateful for all they did for us!

My children and I experienced the sudden loss of my husband/their Dad. Jeff’s place was such a wonderful resource for us in our time of need. It was so good for us to see and share with others who have experienced such a horrible loss, and was able to move on from their loss. Jeff’s Place offers the most wonderful service that you hope you never have to use. I was blessed to have them in my life, and my children’s lives in our time of need.

After our daughter died, Jeff's Place was there to help my son grieve the loss of his sister. The staff are all wonderful and they provide a consistent, safe place for kids to express their grief. My son was able to meet other peers that had were also grieving the loss of a sibling. He has felt supported throughout his time at Jeff's Place. Even 5 plus years later, he still gets support from the connections he has made here.

In August of 2017 I had the unfortunate experience of becoming and learning how to function as a widower after my wife passed unexpectedly from brain cancer. I was now a father to three little girls. To say I was scared and lost, would be an understatement. I was numb, walking around in a haze of grief and feeling alone, like no one understood my pain. I tried to white knuckle it alone for a few months, which did not work. My sister in-law suggested therapy. I worked with a psychologist for a few months, it helped for me, but my girls were suffering. I was still not finding the support as a family and other people that were walking the same path as me. I tried one support group at a church and all they did was sit around and drink juice, eat donuts and talk about everything except for grief and loss. A internet search helped me find Jeff's Place in Framingham. I called and spoke with Mellissa the Director for a while. She made me feel comfortable speaking about my pain and grief. She told me they worked with children too. I decided to attend one of there meetings with my girls. When we arrived, we were welcomed at the door and the girls were greeted by the staff, I remember the staff knelt down to their level to make them feel welcomed and invited them in to meet some of the other children from the other families. After a touching opening to the meeting with all of us together, the children went to have craft or guided time with the counselors to learn about what had happen to all of our families and how we would move forward without a loved one. The adults went upstairs and we sat on couches and chairs around a table with snacks. There was a very loose agenda, largely to get people talking. As the first person started talking, I started weeping, then broke down. Not a person in the room made me feel awkward or out of place. Only supported. By the time it was my turn to speak, I had taken some deep breaths and was able to share my entire story, unrushed and feeling safe to share. Finally I was surrounded by people that were walking the path ahead of me and could slow down as if to say, "Hey, don't worry, we walked it too, we are up here slightly farther along then you, but we are here. You are not alone." When I left that evening, the girls felt a bit of relief knowing that other children experienced loss too, and it is okay, and we were going to make it as a family. I recall driving home and having a sense of normalcy, and that although misery loves company, that company can be the agent of change to save and help people move forward. Jeff's Place one hundred percent changed my trajectory of grief and helped me not only understand it, but skillfully deal with it and start a new chapter with my girls. I am forever indebted to Jeff's Place and would recommend calling and having a conversation to start the healing process. It is up to you to advocate for yourself and grow as a man or woman. This is a great place to start. Best of luck, stay strong and let people help you, no matter how hard it may be.

Jeff's place offers transformative experiences and support to families living with grief. When we needed help after our teenage son died there were immediately there for us and the support group for my daughter was the single best opportunity she had to start to heal.

Jeff's Place warm and inviting atmosphere is the kind of community where you can 'come as you are.' It is a haven for grieving children and their surviving parents/caregivers. No matter where you are in your grieving process, hope grows here.

Even though it's been 3 years since Jeff's Place has been part of our everyday lives, it's still very dear to our family. This summer my children and I traveled from Ireland to attend The Experience Summer camps in Maine. Waiting for the bus in Newton I was overcome with happiness connecting with my Jeffs Place families and counselors. They're still there for us! Thank you Jeff's Place!

Jeff’s place was a very valuable resource to myself and my two sons were 11 and 13 when their mother died.

Everyone involved is caring thoughtful and helpful when you’re going through a tough experience like this!

A huge thanks to all the people that volunteer their time and keep up the great work! :)

The time and care that everyone at Jeff's place has given to my children as well as myself after losing Marc has become the foundation that we stand upon today. The opportunity to be around other families that have experienced similar loss has been invaluable in the journey. The clinicians and facilitators are just wonderfully special humans. The group environment allows you to see parents/caregivers further along in their journey which represents hope that you too will find your way and be ok.

Jeff's Place is a safe space where we can go as a family to grieve the loss of our son. They've provided support and connection and "get it." We are incredibly grateful for all Jeff's Place has done for our family as we went through the hardest experience of our lives. When we first started attending groups, it was incredible see the transition in our daughter who was struggling with the loss of her brother, who was also her best friend. It gave her comfort to know she was not alone and that others have lost siblings too. At the same time, being able to connect with other parents who have lost children has been a great support to us. It's a club I'd never wish anyone to be a part of and am so grateful I am.

Jeff's Place has been a lifeline for our family for the last couple of years. Already guardians of our Grand daughter, we had the earth shattering experience of losing her Dad to suicide. Jeff's Place has provided an anchor for us as we find a way to feel our grief and to help our girl through hers. She loves going to the meetings, as do we. Staffed by truly caring and competent people, we are finding the best possible way to move forward and live our best lives

At Jeff's Place, I've experienced how healing can happen when people are given a safe space to share their story and witness the stories of others. Not every young child has had the experience of a parent or sibling dying. Not every parent has had the experience of their partner or child dying. But at Jeff's Place, there is power in these shared experiences and comfort in being immersed in a community where you can intentionally continue to build bonds with those who have died.

Jeff's Place is a one-of-a-kind organization offering care and support for children, teens, families, and individuals grieving the death loss of someone important in their lives. As an intern I help to co-facilitate groups, but truly the group members are co-facilitators, too. While the staff at Jeff's Place provide structure and hold space for our clients, it is the group members who support each other most, reminding one another that no one grieves alone. Many of the staff are expressive therapists, so artmaking is integrated throughout our work, providing both verbal and nonverbal ways for our clients to process their grief and express themselves. It is an honor and a gift to be interning with an organization and community like Jeff's Place.

Jeff's Place has been a vital resource for me and my children as we adjust to life without my wife and their mom.

My family used their services for a year, and I spent a year interning for them. They have deep in house knowledge and a great community, and their program director is incredibly kind and thoughtful. The techniques used in groups are simple but powerful, perfectly tailed for kids, and I saw adults get a benefit from getting to know the other families and seeing with their own eyes that they are not alone in their grief journey. This institution is a lifeline for families and represents an enduring investment in each individual child and family as well as the whole metro west region.

Volunteering at Jeff's Place was a catalyst in choosing my career path. I had the privilege of volunteering with Jeff's Place during high school and as much as I hope I was able to provide support and a listening ear for the families we were serving, I know that my experience as a volunteer provided me with so much more. After my time spent volunteering with Jeff's Place, I went on to get both my bachelors and masters degrees in social work, and am working on my PhD in social work. It was through my volunteering at Jeff's Place that I began to build skills core to the social work profession. Even years later, volunteering at Jeff's Place was one of the most formative experiences in both my personal and professional life.

I volunteered last year at Jeff's Place just once or twice per month to hand out pizza at evening family gatherings. The staff, other volunteers, and families that I met while there reflect what kind of place this is; a warm and welcoming respite for those in need of care during a very vulnerable time. I always mention this place to people I know who have experienced a loss as a potential resource since I believe what they do is so critical. Watching a dear friend experience the loss of her father as a child, I only wish that she had something like Jeff's Place available to her. I hope to return there again as a regular volunteer as soon as the opportunity arises.

Jeff’s Place was an amazing support for us when my husband passed away. My boys were 3 and 5. We went to Jeff’s place for two years but feel like they will always be there for us. They do such important work and I am so grateful for all they do.

Jeff's Place is an outstanding organization that fills a vital need in MetroWest and beyond. The children and parents who attend their support groups find a valuable sense of connection during a time of grief that would otherwise be very isolating. There is real healing that takes place as each family member is heard and understood, and they find hope amidst their sorrow. The staff and volunteers are an exceptional group of individuals who provide a welcoming and compassionate space for those who are grieving.

After my husband died from pancreatic cancer, Jeff’s Place was the safety net that grabbed us, kept us going, made us feel like we belonged somewhere, gave us true friendships as we all struggle to solo parent our young grieving children while we ourselves are grieving. Jeff’s place is my families’ safe haven to regroup and get back to living our best lives. Thank you staff and volunteers- we are forever grateful!

Jeff's place is the most extraordinary community. It's the kind of support and understanding that only comes from other families who have lost loved-ones. Jeff's place helped me grieve and gave me hope. I don't know how I would have coped without them.

My story is from the other side of the pizza table. The side that volunteers to serve pizza monthly to our families. The side of the table who serves dinner during our celebrations. The side of the table who watches these families thrive with the support they are given during the most horrific time of their lives. I have watched children play together with new friends and then light a candle in honor/memory of their loved one. I have seen single parents, exhausted, sad, worried bringing their children to Jeff's Place for some much needed socialization with others who have been through the same pain. Jeff's Place has brought hope, and love, and companionship and has tried to make the world a brighter place for these families during tragedy. Their staff, led by Jenny Kaplan and Melissa Johnson are caring, committed and just the best. When we get new families my emotions run from oh good, they found us to how sad, they need us. Jeff's Place is deserving of all good things. It's for the kids and who can turn down a kid?

When someone you love dies it changes you. My family, our family, experienced what is called sudden loss. It, at least for us, was like skipping happily along and then suddenly falling into a dark hole that seemingly didn’t have a bottom. A bottomless pit. The aloneness that one feels can be truly debilitating. We were so fortunate to attend Jeff’s Place at a time where just getting out of bed was a challenge. Having to navigate my loss, as well as, support our 3 children while they endured the grief and loss of their father was a daily struggle. The compassionate, caring, empathetic, volunteers, social workers, and staff offered a safe place for our family to land. Being able to grieve openly, and not feel judged, or stranded alone while bearing witness with others that are enduring such life altering pain too, gave great comfort to my family. We will forever be grateful for the support, kindness, and generosity that we received from the very knowledgeable staff, and the many life long friends we have met through from Jeff’s Place.

This organization provides critical bereavement services to kids and families (for free). As someone who experienced parental loss as a child, I see Jeff's Place as a much needed program that has lasting impact on the children and families it serves. Grief can be isolating and overwhelming, and Jeff's Place provides a safe circle of support with trained individuals to help them through the process. Services Jeff's Place offers are rare unfortunately, so they are unique and are a gem within the community. Jeff's Place needs volunteers and donors in order to keep doing the wonderful work it does.

Jeff's Place was a port in the storm after the loss of my husband. Their program was such a comfort to my son and myself. Jeff's Place offers a path to understanding and coping with the grief experienced when losing a parent/sibling. I got the benefit of participating in the parent group while Evan attended a group made up of his peers. Jeff's Place fills a void that is addressed so infrequently...grief and loss is experienced by everyone yet there are very few comprehensive programs that assist in processing great loss.

Jeff’s Place, is a place where families can come and support eachother as they find a way at their most vulnerable time to cope with the grief that comes with a significant death loss. I see Jeff’s Place as an opportunity to express all the feelings that go with a terrible loss, to be with people who understand and “get it” and a place where people can renew their commitment to keep on keeping on. This is a journey, with good days and heart breaking days but Jeff’s Place is here to help and to let people in their darkest times know they are not alone.

I have been a co-facilitator since Jeff’s Place began 10 years ago, first working with teens and now with a group for parents who have had the unthinkable happen. They have experience the death of their child. But here’s what I experience every time we all meet. For sure there’s sadness and a whole host of other emotions but I also see that in the midst of sometimes overwhelming fragility, there emerges incredible strength and resilience and kindness. I see families support eachother as they begin to find their way to a different life. I see parents reaching out to eachother in group as they tell their stories and share the challenges of putting their lives and their family’s lives back together again.

It’s really the kids and the parents who are the teachers for eachother. Jeff’s Place provides a safe space, a space safe to cry, safe to be angry, safe to grapple with grief and know that everyone else there is going through it with them. They all understand in a way most others can’t and they are there for eachother to support, and empathize and catch eachother when they feel like they might break. It’s a place where they can talk about what it’s like as they go about their lives while trying to hold overwhelming feelings of emptiness, and longing, and loss at bay as they deal with the day to day responsibilities of the world.

So when people ask about Jeff’s Place and what it’s like to volunteer there, I say for me it’s a chance to be part of this rebuilding process and see people who at their most vulnerable reach out for eachother, reach out to eachother and begin to begin again. It is an honor to be part of this journey.

The motto at Jeff’s Place is “Hope grows here,” and after 10 years and many, many families, I truly believe that indeed hope, and strength, and reliance, and love all grow here.

I volunteer at Jeff's Place and it is truly a wonderful and unique organization. Families and their grief are held with such care and compassion. The staff works together with the families to meet them where they are at in their own grieving journey. No one's grief looks the same and no one grieves alone at Jeff's Place.

Jeff's Place provides a safe, warm and welcoming space for grieving families with children who have suffered the overwhelming loss of a parent or child. Families come to us frightened, overwhelmed and feeling very alone only to immediately realize that they are surrounded by others who know all too well the pain they are feeling. For many kids, being at Jeff's Place is their favorite place to be because they are not 'that kid whose mom/dad/sibling died'. Our families have a shared experience, and support one another in the most safe and beautiful ways to work toward building a new normal while processing their grief. We believe that the only one whose knows about grief is the person who is grieving and participants support each other no matter where they are on the continuum, gaining strength each step of the way. There are a lot of tears and there is a lot of laughter too. Jeff's Place helps people to heal and provides a place for hope to grow.

Jeff's Place was where we turned when my husband died after a long journey with brain cancer. We needed to be with other families who had lost a parent because we felt like aliens in our community, and Jeff's place helped us find others because this organization provides peer-to-peer support for this situation (as well as others for sibling/child loss). We gather on "our night" every two weeks, with the same families throughout the year. We have a large opening where we light candles for the beloved parents who died, then we break into small peer groups for an hour or so. Kids meet with kids their age and a clinician/facilitator while parents meet with parents. It is a special time to remember our loved ones and talk about the issues we face in living life without them. I cannot say enough good things about the staff and volunteers at Jeff's Place. They clearly plan for each session taking into account the individuals in each group. Young kids do a lot of art projects while older kids might play basketball games while chatting. It might seem casual but a lot of thought goes into making this a useful, healing experience for everyone. The parent group has been a lifeline for me. We talk, we cry, and we laugh. We get it.

I have a five year old who lost both parents two years ago. We had quite the struggle finding support for this kind of grief counseling, especially in a child so young. The counselors and volunteers at Jeff's Place are so warm and inviting. They all know and understand what you and your children are going through and can support you throughout the healing process. We are so grateful that we found them. My child thrives in the environment and is able to open up and talk with like-minded children and adults. We are incredibly blessed for finding these caring, amazing people at Jeff's Place.

I contribute to Jeff's Place because when I think about the impact an organization can have on a family, I can't think of anything more needed than a family that has a lost a child, or a child that has lost a parent. I know families that have experienced such a dramatic loss and seen the havoc not getting help and counseling brought on these families. There is nothing harder for a family to cope with, and nothing more valuable than having other families helping you through the transition, along with the counsel and support one gets from the fabulous staff at Jeff's Place. I have met these families, they've told me about the difference going to Jeff's Place has made for them, and i am honored to help support this work in a small way.

Jeff's place has been exactly what our family needed. When our son died we didn't know what to do. We could barely survive each day, not to mention take care of our other young children and support them through the loss of their brother. The bereavement group has allowed us to connect with other families who are going through the same thing as us. For the first time our daughter met another child who also lost a sibling. She's made bonds and connections with the other children in her group that have helped her process the loss of her brother.

They've helped us all feel less alone, they've helped us find ways to honor our son and his memory, and they've provided guidance and support through the worst thing that could happen to a family.

No one should ever have to go through losing a child--it is the most unbearable thing to endure. Having Jeff's place has made it all a little bit easier. We've made life long connections here and we are incredibly grateful for all of their support.

When I was 7 years old, my 4-year-old sister died, changing the course of our lives forever. Back then, my family did not know of any organizations like "Jeff's Place," and as a child and teen, I found myself grieving in isolation and in fear of upsetting my parents who were in the depths of their own grief. Now, as an adult, it has been one of the greatest privileges of my life to serve on the board of directors at Jeff's Place. Through our life-changing work, we offer children, teens, and their families support, hope, and community throughout their grieving journey. I am constantly in awe of our participants and the caring, support, and understanding they offer one another alongside our incredible staff and volunteers.

When my husband died suddenly at age 45 from cardiac arrest the lives of my children and I were forever changed. Jeff’s Place gave us a place to go where we were understood. My children made friends for life. Friends like no other who understand life without a parent. I gained friends as well and a feeling of community where I could express my grief freely and without judgement, criticism or misunderstanding. Over the past 3 years Jeff’s Place helped us to heal and move forward. We will always miss our lost loved one but the support and love we received from JP, at a time when we were desperately drowning in grief, is immeasurable. I cannot say enough about how amazing this organization is.

Jeff's Place was a safe haven for my son to grieve and be with other kids in a similar situation. As a parent, I too gained wonderful insight and support through my time at JP.
The environment is nurturing and loving....JP is so very special as it identifies and creates a community that fills a gaping void in so many lives who live with loss.

Jeff's Place has been my foundation for grief therapy for my kids. When my wife passed Jeff's Place was recommended to me multiple times. I spoke to Melissa before the funeral and she gave me advice that I will never forget and will forever be grateful for. It's become a safe place for us and somewhere we find comfort and healing.

Hospitals do a great job of treating the patient but a very poor job treating the caregivers. It's a harsh transition when you are most vulnerable and you need to be the guide for your children. Jeff's Place took us in and understand what we are going through. So many people try to help but few understand how to help. Jeff's Place is our support. Everyone is kind and caring and are there to help the kids and the parents.

Jeff’s Place has been such a gift to my family. We lost my sister, who left behind 5 grieving children. The community at Jeff’s Place has been so genuinely welcoming, kind, and understanding. We’re all extremely grateful we found them!

Wonderful support for my bereaved children.
Thank you Jeff's place.

Jeff's Place offers support to grieving children/teens and their parents. Professionally-facilitated support groups are provided free of charge to those in need. The staff also provides outreach and training to community organizations and schools in the surrounding towns. Individual counseling is available via the clinical staff as well. The level of caring and support is phenomenal. The children who attend these groups can laugh and play as well as deal with the serious and difficult tasks of bereavement and grief. The loss may be as fresh as a few weeks or several years in the past. All are welcome.

The care and compassion I have received at Jeff's Place has been of great help to me. The work that Melissa and other team members perform is important and appreciated. Sharing with other families who have suffered losses similar to my own has been helpful as well.
Michael McHugh

My 5 boys and I were devastated when my husband, Rich, passed away from cancer 2 years ago. Jeff's Place was a refuge where we met many people going through similar situations. Today, my family is thriving. Jeff's Place allowed my children a safe place to grieve with other children experiencing similar loss. I can't say enough about the staff who really took an interest in our lives and provided us the resources to live our lives in a way that would make Rich proud!

Where to begin? Melissa and the staff at Jeff's Place are supportive, caring, knowledgable, and helpful. My son's father was very sick when I first reached out to ask how to talk to my 6 year old about the possibility of his father passing away in the near future. Melissa took my call, answered my questions, and talked me through the best way to share that information. When his father did pass, Melissa was right there to help me through the process of telling my son, supporting him through his grief, and choosing an appropriate time to begin attending a group at Jeff's Place. When we began meeting in a group, we realized how important it would be for our son, but we didn't know how helpful it would be as a parent. The group normalizes talking about the child's "special person" in a positive way and helps parents understand grieving behavior versus typical child behavior. In addition, Jeff's Place has so many resources for families going through the grieving process.
My son has gone from a scared, grieving boy to a healthy, happy kid who misses his dad, but now has the tools he needs to cope when he becomes overwhelmed. We would not be where we are today without the amazing people who work with us and our children at Jeff's Place.

When my sister tragically died in a car accident 5 years ago she left 4 children behind that I took on as my own. We all needed to heal including my own 3 very young children. Jeff’s Place opened up their doors and gave us a place to do that. Gave us the space to heal and learn that things would be ok. I don’t know if we would have made it past that first year without their help, kindness and love.

Jeff's Place was there for our family as our daughter needed support with the loss of her little brother. She was seeing therapists, but it was the support and understanding of the staff and peers at Jeff's place that really helped her in healing. And they were there for myself and my husband as we were in the darkest place losing our son. The staff provides kindness, gentleness, compassion and understanding, and the groups provide a safe space with others grieving who understand when the world around you doesn't.
We are truly thankful to Jeff's Place for helping heal our family.

It’s hard to put into words how much Jeff’s Place means to my family and me. I’m raising my granddaughter who lost her father, my son, last spring.

Jeff’s Place staff are caring and knowledgeable about the grief process. They provide meaningful activities and groups for kids. This place is helping me be a better caregiver. We are so very lucky to be part of this amazing organization!

My niece & I have been going to Jeff’s Place for almost 2 years. This amazing group has helped both of us deal with my brother/her father’s death in so many ways. The support each of us receives is incredible and greatly appreciated.

My children lost their father 2 years ago & we just started at Jeff's Place last year. This has been very good for my boys because they are not talkers & here they feel that they fit in because they are with other kids going through the same thing. They don't have to talk but can just listen to others. They love it there!

"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened"

Thank you Jeffs Place for helping us understand these words.
Thank you for showing us how to live with grief, how to move on and how to look back and smile at the happy times.
Thank you❤️

I cannot say enough about the amazing, consistent, good work of Jeff's Place staff. They meet grieving families where they are, in their mess, and help to come alongside with grace and guidance. They provide top-notch, comprehensive care to our community of bereaved.

Jeff's Place has made such a vast difference for my son and me through our grieving process in so many positive ways. They have helped us much on a personal and group level since the day we stepped foot in the door. I don't know where we would be today without them and we will keep going as long as we can. Such a positively wonderful organization.

Families who come to Jeff's Place after suffering the loss of a close family member find support, strength and hope. The staff and volunteers are a compassionate and dedicated group of individuals, and there is real healing that takes place in the support groups. Jeff's Place is an exceptional organization that fills such an important but under-recognized community need. It's a privilege to be associated with Jeff's Place.

An amazing organization!! Helps so many in this difficult situation.

My children and I have been attending counseling sessions since the sudden death of my husband last Spring. It has been so helpful for my children and wonderful for me to connect with others experiencing loss. We are fortunate to have such a great resource so close to home. Thanks Jeff's Place!

Jeff's place was a sanctuary for my daughter, my wife and myself after the death of our son in 2012. My daughter was able to connect with other teens, some of whom had also lost a sibling. She received and felt great support from the wonderful Jeff's Place staff and volunteers (who get "it"), rather than the isolation from losing her brother and feeling different. We attended Jeff's place for 2 years, and my daughter is now a Jeff's Place volunteer herself. The focus at Jeff's Place is on children's grief and healing, but the support for adults is just as heart-warming and important, as I witnessed in our parent group, as we shared our stories and bonded. Jeff's Place welcomed my family with open arms and compassion, and guided us at our own pace on the road to healing.

Husband and great father to our 4 children passed this year. I am so grateful to have an optimistic place for my children to express their feelings, gain strength, and to realize they could have strengths to offer others feeling the same pain and emptiness.
Thank you Jeffs Place!

I am thankful for Jeffs Place and the support that friends of mine have received. A place where they can go and share the loss with other families who understand what they are going through.

I found Jeff's Place after the sudden death of my husband. It has been an invaluable resource for me and has connected me to wonderful people going through the same thing.

My widowed friend has seen her son benefit greatly from this program. She recommends it highly to others who find themselves in this situation where bereavement counseling is needed. It makes me happy to know that this type of support is available in the local community.

We feel welcomed. There is space for fun, for expressing yourself as a child and adult while grieving. It's gentle encouragement moving forward for all of us.

A truly caring place to go during unbearable times.

"The light at the end of the tunnel". Children receive therapy without even realizing it. Adults mix with other adults who get it! Jeffs place is truly an unique place with unique people. It continues to guide us.

I have witnessed wonderful things at Jeff's Place. Children learn to express themselves and embark on their grief journey, families come together, parents realize they are not alone, staff and volunteers provide compassion and direction, and little miracles happen. Some of the children and families who come to Jeff's Place would be lost without it. I'm so proud of my involvement here, and of the dozens upon dozens of people who give their time to help others going through an unimaginably difficult time.

We are relatively new to Jeff's Place. After my wife passed away from a battle with brain cancer 6 months ago, we got a great recommendation from our pediatrician. My 3 kids, 14, 13 and 8 are doing well and resisted going at first, but they now look forward to the meetings and the people there. The staff is fantastic and unbelievably welcoming. My two boys, the two oldest, do not talk too much about their mother and the last few years, but I now look forward to the nice conversations we have on our rides home after the meetings.

Thanks to the people at Jeff's Place for making a difference in our lives.

Jeff's Place is a great organization that has been a tremendous help to my family.

This is our second year at Jeff's Place since the sudden loss of my husband. Words cannot express how grateful we are to have a safe place to share our experiences with. Grief can be very lonely but Jeff's Place offers understanding and support from peers in a way only those who've experienced a great loss can. My children and I are very lucky to have had Jeff's Place.

Sensitive staff and people that really listen. My children have managed to navigate the loss of their father with the help of this place. Thank you Jeffs place.

My now 10 year old son and I have been going to Jeff's Place for several years since losing his father in late 2012. It is a wonderful community where people understand your grief in ways that society, unfortunately, does not. the friendships that he and I have made, and the support that we have received over the last 4 years in astounding and unwavering, in so many ways. Jeff's Place continues to get better and better by offering more options for its families - Jenny, Melissa and Aliya, as well as the other facilitators and volunteers are all so kind and caring. Thanks Jeff's Place for providing a place for Chris and I to feel loved and supported!

My son was 12 and my daughter was 7 when we lost their father, my dear husband. We were completely devastated, and felt so alone. When we found Jeff's Place (actually Jeff's Place found us!) we finally had a place to turn where we felt a part of something, a place where my children could feel comfortable talking about their loss, or not talking about it, and a place where we could come together with other families experiencing grief. We are truly grateful for all the incredible folks at Jeff's Place, especially Jenny who makes it all happen, and who touches the lives of so many. We are happy to say we are graduates . . . Hope Grows Here!

This is an organization helping children and families to cope during the darkest time in their lives. The approach is innovative and high-impact and the model can scale. Leadership is devoted and experienced. My hope is that more children and families in need will be served by this organization in the future.

My children and i have attended jeff's place for about four years. we have made great friends it has been a great help.

My nephews went to Jeff's Place after the death of their mother. It is a wonderful organization with committed, caring staff.

My two oldest children started attending Jeff's place a few months after my husband committed suicide - Jeff's place has been a tremendous help with their grieving process and has given them a place to feel safe and not alone. The staff is wonderful and I cannot express my thanks enough.

I have gone to jeff's place with my oldest son for almost 4 years now we had lost his father to a hunting accident, and i can't even describe in words what this group has done for us! the friends we have made, It's a place that make us feel like we can talk about anything and not feel like we are different! and for that i am truly grateful!!

In January, 2014 my husband died suddenly from a car accident. We have three children in all different stages of life. To say that it has been tremendously difficult would be an understatement. I found out about Jeff's place about a year prior to my husbands death while attending a PTG meeting. At the time, our lives were going according to plan, happily moving along from year to year. I remember sitting at the meeting listening to the representatives describe Jeff's place and thinking how wonderful that this place/support was available for children and families that suffer loss. Little did I know that we would need that support as well. I cannot fully express my gratitude for the staff, volunteers, and interns that provide a safe place for my children and myself to express and share (if we want to or not) our grief and feelings.

We found Jeff's Place after the sudden and unexpected death of my husband. It is an invaluable resource for myself and our children. Talking with people who have experienced a loss of this magnitude is healing for the soul. The staff, the volunteers and the interns are absolutely fantastic. We would recommend Jeff's Place without hesitation!

Jeff's Place is a great place for kids who need support after a major loss. I attend meetings with the boy I am a guardian of and it is great for both him and I. The people are excellent, the group facilitators are top notch and Jeff's Place provides an outlet where kids who have experienced loss can go and not feel alone.

I can't say enough about this organization. It's a safe and supportive place for anyone struggling with a loss. It has had been transformative for my daughter and a place where she can feel that she is not alone.

Jeff's Place is where my children can express their sadness and anger without judgement while also cherishing the memories of their father. I am able to meet with other parents and talk about the complicated nature of grieving the loss of my life partner while also needing to be emotionally strong enough to raise our daughters alone. Jeff's Place has been a vital resource for all three of us.
Everyone there is just amazing and we couldn't thank them enough for all that they do.

When I asked God to help my family after my oldest son Justin passed away he put Jenny and the Jeffs Place staff into our lives. We didn't know how to help our other two sons, 11 and 15, cope with the grief we were all experiencing. The group facilitators and other family's helped us find our way while making sense of it all. I can't express in words how important a roll this organization has played in so many lives at the most difficult time. The best part of all is they only want you to find peace in your life and be able to share with others how that worked for you. Amazing group of people!

This is a wonderful organization with a caring and committed staff.

I am a volunteer who sews Memory Bears for the bereaved children at Jeff's Place. While I do not meet the families in person, I do hear a bit about their stories (from the staff) so that I can attempt to capture the essence of their loved one in the stuffed bear I create from his/her clothing. It is not the norm in the United States in the 21st century for young families to lose a member. Finding peers who might understand one's ongoing grief can be challenging. Jeff's Place provides trained facilitators and peer groups for these children and their parents to share their grief and learn how to find a new normal. There is no timetable for grief. Jeff's Place helps bereaved families find ways to cope by surrounding them with others who are also learning to cope and helping them to provide understanding support for each other along the way.

My family and I are so fortunate to have found Jeff's Place at our time of need. My ex-husband died unexpectedly and our 2 children (then age13 and 16) were grieving and I didn't know what to do. Jeff's Place welcomed us with open arms and the group meetings were so helpful to not only my children but to me also. My children learned they were not alone. Their were other kids grieving who understand their anger, their pain, all the emotions and fears they felt. The facilitators were amazing and so kind and worked with the kids through their pain and let them share all their fears, anger, emotions with no judgment but just a kind word. The adult group was immensely helpful to me. Seeing that I wasn't alone that other parents were experiencing the same difficulties with their children and being offered the support from other parents and the facilitators helped me to be stronger so that I could give my children the support they needed. We were with the program for approximately 2 years and gained so much I can never thank everyone enough at Jeff's Place for all they have done to help us.

I am a Board Member and Volunteer. Although I do not see the kids in their groups I watch them interact and tell their stories to the group. I am amazed at how they progress over the year and how poised they are when they tell their story. I have also seen the impact it has had on other volunteers who have had significant losses in their lives. The interaction with the participants help not only the kids in attendance but also helps all the volunteers that participate. It is a truly amazing organization that is serving such an important role in peoples lives. Unless you experience it or know someone who has you don't understand it and that is what Jeff's Place is all about. AMAZING !!

My son and I attended Jeff's Place after his dad/my husband passed away. Every facet of the program helped us. From the family pizza dinners, to the parent group, to the teen group, to the annual holiday celebration, to the group leaders, to Jenny and her staff and all of the participants. I learned a tremendous amount from the parents and my son got to share his healing with peers. We learned that we are not alone, and in fact, we are all together in the grief process. Though we all grieve differently, we were all grieving and found some commonalities. I recommend Jeff's Place to any family who suffered a loss.

Love this place! Jeff's place e ran a private group for my daughter and her friends who lost one of their friend's tragically. The staff at Jeff's place helped them through this difficult time and provided support to share their emotions.

My son and I are so grateful for all the help and support we are getting from the wonderful people at Jeff's Place. The support and care we received from Jeff's Place got us through the difficult time.

I was fortunate to find out about Jeff's Place shortly after my daughter's father died (a week before her 14th birthday). We attended meetings for two years, in which we were able to share our story, hear other's stories and support one another through these difficult times. I am immensely grateful for the camaraderie and support we received during our time there and would recommend this service to anyone in a similar situation.

We are so grateful to everyone at Jeff's Place for their care and support. From the dedication of the leaders and facilitators to the unconditional support of fellow "clients," our time at Jeff's Place was a gift that we didn't even know how much we needed. My son was fourteen years old when we started and he felt a sense of belonging right away, not an easy feat in the best of circumstances, with the caring leaders and other children. The parent groups I participated in helped me to cope with my myriad of feelings - I learned from everyone, often by just listening, despite how different many of us were. This experience brought us together and gently led us to a better place. I will be forever thankful to everyone at Jeff's Place.

Jeff's Place helped us through an extremely difficult period in our lives. My daughter had just turned 7 when her father died of a brain tumor. She did not want to talk about it with any of her friends as she didn't want to be "different" from all of them who had healthy dads. Jeff's Place provided her with a safe place to share her feelings, since everyone there was "in the same boat". All the kids knew how hard it was to be missing a mother, father or other close relative. I observed as she went from being very shy to willing to share memories of her dad. Jenny Schrieber has assembled an amazing group of caring & supportive facilitators. I highly recommend Jeff's Place to all families with children grieving the loss of a loved one!

When we lost our son we knew we needed to meet others who could help us and understand us. The first place we reached out to couldn't take us for almost a year! Jeff's place welcomed us into the group within a couple months. We no longer attend the group since we have moved out of state but I miss the group terribly. What a wonderful place for a child to go to to feel that they are not alone with their grief amongst their peers, and where parents can meet others too ( even though this us a children's group!). The staff and Jenny are incredible.

This organization helps so many kids (and adults) feel like they are not alone. We understand them. We "get it " I hear from the clients all the time when we ask what Jeff's Place means to you. Working with this organization is a gift and a privilege.

I have been fortunate enough to volunteer at Jeff's Place for the last few years. Jeff's Place helps families and children find their "new normal" after a loss. After the sudden loss of my mother by suicide at the age of 11, I wish I had a place like Jeff's Place back then. Jeff's Place is filled with compassionate people who dedicate their time and their lives to simply helping others transition through a loss. I am so pleased to see how families find a place where people understand what they are going through and help them know there are others like them in the world. I have been blessed by seeing how many people begin the healing process and find a new strength in their lives. Jennifer Kaplan Schreiber and Melissa Panto Kennedy are two of the finest people I have ever met and they are the real deal. I would tell any family who has experienced a loss about Jef's Place.

I have seen the power of Jeff's Place Children's Bereavement Center's model of providing support groups for grieving children at the same time as their parent is also finding support from their peers, a place of safety where a grieving spouse can find strength and guidance from others in the same situation. I am grateful that I can refer families to Jeff's Place, knowing that it is local, effective and that the organization provides their services at no charge to all grieving families.

We lost a dear friend to suicide 3 years ago. He left behind a wife and two children, ages 10 & 13. The two kids went to Jeffs Place for a couple of years. The changes in them were huge each time they went to group. The facilitators are amazing and everytime I work a pizza night, I am amazed at all the kids, always smiling and happy. Happy tobe able to let off steam and happy to be withtheir peers who understand what they are going through, they are so lucky to have a safe place to go!

My husband died unexpectedly cutting a tree in our backyard, 3 days before our son's 5th birthday (who started kindergarten a month later). I had no family in the country and my husband's family was in Maine (we live in Massachusetts). Jeff's Place gave my son (and myself) the emotional support that allowed us to process our grief and move forward by the fantastic volunteers that make it all happen. They changed our lives and we will always be thankful for them.

I have been a volunteer cofacilitator for over a year. Each time I participate I am blown away by the dedication, professionalism and generosity of the group. It has been an honor to be a part of this organization. Helping people becomes a personal journey for each of us.
The grief work changes the lives of all of us, volunteers and families who come for comfort. It is powerful and necessary. Impressve and delicate. As I leave each time I do so in awe of the folks in my group, the children they support and my colleagues who care so much.

As a volunteer the most amazing thing that happens is to witness the amount of compassion the children have for each other. Sometimes they can say what I am thinking but don't dare to ask or say. The kids learn so much from each other. The best part is one child will tell their story, you could hear a pin drop, because it can be so intense, then another child all of a sudden will burp and everyone cracks up!! The kids are rolling on the floor laughing and making burping sounds. Next thing you know it's someone else's turn, they begin to tell the story and the laughter breaks out again. Eventually all are heard, in a very safe and clearly comfortable, and comforting atmoshpere. All have a voice at Jeff's Place, even the youngest children are heard.

The thing I found most comforting about Jeff's Place was talking with peers who were dealing with the same unique challenge. After my wife died, I had a lot of thoughts and feelings that I thought we very strange. It was a good feeling to realize that I was having a common reaction to an uncommon experience. Jeff's Place gave me that.

Where do you go for help when your husband and father of two children dies very unexpectedly while on a family vacation? Thankfully, for me and my girls, that place was Jeff's Place. The range of emotions that are a 'normal' part of the grieving process are unimaginable. But in addition to that, the loss of a parent is also a very isolating experience for children at any age, but maybe even more complicated for teens or pre-teens. I remember my first phone conversation with Jenny from Jeff's Place -- an understanding voice and an invitation to attend the family meetings. I also remember her coming to our house to meet with us and how she describe the philosophy of Jeff's Place -- 'normalize' the grieving process. This may not make sense to those who haven't experienced such a profound loss, but it was very helpful for me to be mindful, that no matter how painful, we are capable of learning to live with our loss...not 'get over it'... but to LIVE with our loss. Many thanks to Jeff's Place for all the good work they have done & continue to do.

My husband died in April 2009. He left 3 kids that were really grieving. We attended Jeff's Place for 2 seasons. It was the most wonderful experience for all of us. We felt like we found others going through the same things that most other people in our lives could not even comprehend. We graduated stronger and more resilient. Jeff's Place is an important part of the grieving process.

Jeff's Place has offered my young children a safe place to connect with other kids who have lost a parent. It has also been a place for me, as a young widow, to find support from other parents who are grieving the lose of their spouse, while trying to raise their kids. It has been incredibly helpful to me over the course of several years.

There are other, similar, programs like Jeff's Place in Massachusetts, but the location and proximity for my family has been so important. In addition, Jeff's Place was able to create a new bereavement group for preschool aged children, to meet my family's specific needs.

When trying to recover from a tradegy, I've found I've had to simplify our lives, and take comfort in our family routines. But I have made going to our Jeff's Place meetings a priority, and I think it's helped my kids tremendouly.

January 4, 2012 my seventeen year old son, Justin, died from a heart atack he suffered while at home with us. In that tragic moment, as I performed CPR on my son and I knew I could not bring him back, all I could think of was, "how am I going to help my wife and other two children find peace and joy in thier life again?" The answer was JEFF'S PLACE!
There were so many suggestions shared with us from people who wanted to help but Jeff's place was the only place we found which allowed our whole family to heal together. The staff, volunteers, familys and especially the children have givin us the support we needed in all areas of our life. My family has been moved, touched and inspired by the many people who have shared so authentically about the challenges and fears of facing such an overwhelming, and unexpected event. I would move mountains to make a difference in even one familys experience dealing with such a loss. Jeff's place provides the oppurtunity to move those mountains, not only for the children, but all the families, stafff and volunteers who share thier love, caring and hope with those who have suffered in such an unimaginable way. Everyone should know about Jeff's palce and the real people who make it happen. Thank you!

My mother died of cancer when I was a teenager (over 20 years ago). About four years ago, I heard the founder of Jeff's Place speaking about her organization and their mission to help children deal with loss. She discussed Jeff's Place use of peer groups to prevent any child from feeling they are grieving alone. Her talk about some of the unique challenges and issues of grieving children resonated with me and inspired me to learn more about the organization. When I followed-up, I only became more impressed and decided to become involved. I initially volunteered and was extremely impressed by the quality of the training as well as the single-minded focus on the needs of the children. The transformations I saw in the teen group were truly amazing, clearly demonstrating the value of the organization and also being very personally rewarding to see the positive impact the peer group was having on those in the group.

Rarely have a seen an organization with such committed leadership, unwavering focus on their goal, and clear and direct positive impact on those served. I think Jeff's Place is a truly remarkable organization which has an extremely positive impact on grieving children who participate and virtually everyone else who comes in contact with the program.

I am honored to be a volunteer facilitator and board member for Jeff's Place, a place where children and their families can come and grieve with others who have had significant loss. I am amazed at how eloquently spoken each child is when they speak of their loss. We hear time after time how it is difficult to speak about their loss with others who may not understand. At Jeff's Place, we know that with each phase of their life, season, holiday, anniversary that passes, different parts of the grief process appear and that talking and sharing with other families who understand will assist in the healing process. With time, sharing and healing, surely "hope grows" at Jeff's Place.

I am both a past volunteer and current Board Member. I lost my brother when I was 16 years old and he was almost 18 at the time. Jeff's Place offers a way for kids (and families) to address the challenges and emotions that I felt and I know these kids are going through. For the kids to know that everyone at Jeff's Place "get's it" is an amazing thing that helps the kids (and families) cope with their unique tragic loss.

I've seen great progress in my kids ability to deal with their loss. Everyone there is great and extremely helpful.

I am a volunteer faciIitator at Jeff's Place, now going on my 3rd year. I lost my mother to suicide at the age of 11. Unfortunately, we did not have access to a center like Jeff's Place. We tried our best as a family to cope with the pain of a major loss and the stigma/shame of suicide. Our lives, to say the least, were never going to be normal again. Because we did not have a Jeff's Place back then, I watched our family struggle. I was very fortunate to meet Jennifer Kaplan Schreiber and Melissa Kennedy Panto who through their vision help families transition through the grieving process and find their "new normal". I am amazed to see how families, with the support of Jeff's place, are able to unpack their bags of grief and express themselves in healthy healing ways. Jeff's Place provides a unique environment for all family types to have someone simply come beside them and simply show them the way toward and through the bereavement process. Each and every person, whether it is a family grieving or a volunteer helping, receives tremendous benefits from each other, from someone who "just gets it". I whole heartedly endorse Jeff's Place and I am blessed to be able to serve families who attend.

What an amazing experience - to be part of people's healing. It is such a gift. I have never seen so much love and support in one place. The kids feel like someone finally "gets it" and they know they can trust us. There is nothing better then watching a family grow and (re)connect and heal. I love my nights at Jeff's Place. Hope (definitely) grows here.

Thirty years ago when my son died there were no organizations like Jeff's Place. I tried to get my other children into therapy, but they refused to go. They said the therapist did not know how they felt, nobody did. They each had close friends they could talk to, but for only so long. Their friends could only listen for a short time, it was time to get on with life. My friends and my therapist also thought they were helping by telling me I had to let go and begin to live again. Not so easy!!
Jeff's place offers these families a place to be with people who understand their feelings. Watching the children and the adults bond and support each other is so beautiful, I often wonder how much easier my families recovery would have been if something like Jeff's Place was available to us.

My 16 year old son and I attend this group twice a month. My son has really learned how to express his emotion and to talk about his feelings. This has carried over in other parts of his life as well. My son feels safe with the teens and has met some life long Friends. The facilitators are friendly, caring and demonstrate compassion.

In April 2011 my husband was murdered. At the time my daughter was 14 years old. Before her dad was killed, she was a happy outgoing child. Following the death of her dad she became angry and withdrawn. She refused to talk about her dad and how his death was affecting her. I tried to get her to speak to a counselor but she refused. She would state that counselors do not understand how she is feeling. It took me a year but I found Jeff's Place. Jeff's Place has allowed my daughter to speak and express her feelings about her loss. Jeff's Place has also been a great source of support for me as a parent. Since attending group meetings at Jeff's Place my daughter has begun to associate again with her classmates. She no longer has anger fueled outbursts. I have even received positive feedback from teachers at her school who have noticed a more happy smiling student who is beginning to show improvement in her school work.
Jeff's Place has also brought me comfort. I participate in the parents group and have found great support from other parents who have found themselves in this very difficult part of their lives. The life of a widow/widower and the life of single parenting.
Being a client of Jeff's Place I have also been able to watch the changes in the children of the other families in our group. Where once these children were shy and quiet they are now smiling and engaging in activities with each other.
Without Jeff's Place I do not know how my daughter and I would have been able to cope with the tragic death of her dad and my husband.

I had the privilege of being a part of Jeff's Place from 2010-2012. I think something that I find particularly helpful about Jeff's Place is the fact that it offers services for the entire family. It is clear that participating in the program not only helps individuals on their journey through loss, but also provides the opportunity to bring families closer together, giving them permission to talk about their experiences with one another based on their shared participation in the program. It was an extremely positive experience for me, personally, to be a part of Jeff's Place, and I have nothing but admiration and respect for the families that participate, as well as for the volunteers and clinicians who run the program.

I am a comedian who had the pleasure of doing a fundraiser for this organization. The people involved with this organization are amazing. By meeting with them and finding out about the event I was blown away at the positive influence they have on the people in this program. My hart goes out to anyone who needs this program but my heart also feels so much better that there are the people in this program to help.
I can't say enough about this place, as a comedian I am constently doing fundraisers for programs but this one has made a lasting impression on me for life
Brad

My personal experience at Jeff's Place is in the role of Facilitator in the group of children grades one through three. I am in my second year of volunteering.
My interaction with the young children is assisting with art projects allowing our group to discuss emotions and feelings. The children express how they feel through various art mediums such as painting, clay, decorating memory boxes as the children work through their personal grief process. Stories are read about how children are feeling during a significant death loss in their family and discussions follow the stories to share experiences and emotions. Children learn how different families react and cope with the process of grief. The experience is not the same for all families.
Children feel safe at Jeff's Place as they know anything that is said during group sessions is confidential. The children learn to trust each other by listening and respecting each child as they begin to share a feeling or experience. The children interact with each other in group during carefully selected activities and projects by the professional Program Coordinator at Jeff's Place who is trained in Art Therapy. Group activities are created or chosen by the Program Coordinator to be age appropriate and to be entertaining as well as engaging all participants to share and promote discussion within the group.
My volunteer experience at Jeff's Place has been extremely rewarding for me as I help the young children learn to express their feelings and learn coping strategies for issues they struggle with in their everyday life. These support group sessions were not available to me when I was a young child who experienced the significant death loss of my father. Now I understand how important it is to have a children's bereavement program available for all and why the services provided at Jeff's Place is so important for the emotional needs of young children and their families.