Who Are We?

Any child old enough to love is old enough to grieve.

While in their own grief, parents may not realize how their children are feeling. Children may hide their grief because they blame themselves, are afraid, or hiding anger. Recovering from a loss takes time and it has been shown that having a sense of community is essential to help children get back their lives. 

Because Kids Grieve is a support organization for children, teens, and their families who grieve the loss of someone they love because of death. We have a variety of events scheduled for each quarter of the year. 
There is no cost to the families that use our services. Our funding comes from foundations, organizations and private donations. We do not receive state or federal government funding. 

Your generous donations help make our cause possible, please consider donating today.

 

Frequently asked questions

Because Kids Grieve is a support organization for children, teens, and their families who grieve the loss of someone they love because of death. We have a variety of events scheduled for each quarter of the year. There is no cost to the families that use our services. Our funding comes from foundations, organizations and private donations. We do not receive state of federal government funding.

Because Kids Grieve assists children and their families as they journey through grief by encouraging the sharing of feelings with others who have experienced a similar loss. Our groups provide a safe environment to mourn, and where thoughts and feelings about their loss are shared in a way that helps them be compassionate with themselves and others.  Every child has an adult “buddy”. They become involved with each other and realize that they aren’t the only ones alone in their grief.

Because Kids Grieve offers mutual respect and acceptance for each individual family’s belief system. In our program, we learn and heal ourselves by listening and sharing. Our goals are to support and nurture children and their families in a loving and understanding environment as they experience grief.

Because Kids Grieve holds seminars and workshops to provide education and training on grief and the grief process for community agencies, schools and families. We provide crisis intervention and consultations to schools in Southern Idaho.

We attempt to provide…
•Day Camps each season of the year (or as need in the community arises).
•A summer overnight camp that engages kids in a safe, outdoor environment.
•Educational and counseling resources for the community.
•Connection with various members of the bereavement community.

The events are open to children 6 to 17 who have experienced the death of a loved one. There is no cost to attend.

There is no cost to attend. Because kids Grieve is a non-profit organization and is the recipient of generous grants and donations for children to attend.

Sponsors include:
St. Lukes Magic Valley Medical Center Community Health Initiative, Snake River Bros. Motorcycle Club,
The Gibney Family Foundation, Community Service Club, CSI. Premier Insurance

Because Kids Grieve events are not counseling sessions, although most of the leaders are counselors, social workers, hospice nurses and chaplains. The one thing we have in common is a desire to provide a safe place for children and teens to express grief and develop coping skills through this experience.
Mentors—adults who care about kids, especially those who have experienced the death of someone close to them may volunteer to participate in the events. Mentors participate in training and planning of each event to provide the best possible experience for kids. Each mentor needs to have a background check documented. (BKG will pay for the background check and test).

“Big Buddy”—mentors are “assigned” to each kid and they will have the opportunity to be with each other throughout the event.
“Any child mature enough to love is mature enough to grieve.” Wolfelt, A. Healing the Bereaved Child. 1996. (69)

Registration forms are available on this website or by contacting Because Kids Grieve on our Facebook page or by leaving a message at 208-352-2994.

There are many ways to volunteer to help in the Because Kids Grieve program. Contact us to request a volunteer application form.
Because Kids Grieve board members are available to speak to interested groups on topics related to children and grief.

Each Because Kids Grieve event focuses on a theme or aspect of the grieving process. A variety of resources and activities are utilized to help create an atmosphere where kids are encouraged, if comfortable, to share their memories and feelings. We combine high energy activities with grief education and emotional support to help children and teens cope with loss. The events are at times organized into age groups to engage in developmentally appropriate activities.
We offer…
 Day Camps each season of the year or as needed in the community.
 Educational and counseling resources for the community.
 Connection with various members of the bereavement community.
 Camp Erin® is the largest national bereavement program for youth grieving the death of someone close to them. This free, weekend long experience for children and teens ages 6-17 combines traditional, fun camp activities with grief education and emotional support.

Because Kids Grieve is a tax exempt 501 (c) 3 of the IRS code and can accept tax deductible donations. Financial support comes from diverse sources sharing the common interest of supporting our community’s children at a very significant time in their lives. Because Kids Grieve is the recipient of generous grants and donations for children to attend.

Board of Directors

Mike Seward – President  
presbecausekidsgrieve@gmail.com

Autumn Mantey – Secretary
amantey@becausekidsgrieve.org

Sarah Kirby – Treasurer
treasurer@becausekidsgrieve.org

April Lopas – Camp Erin Director
camperinsouthidahodirector@gmail.com

Revis Turner – Grant Writer 
Revis@becausekidsgrieve.org

 

Rev. Jim O’Donnell – Promotion

James Wentworth – Board Member

Mike Parke – Business Sponsor

April Lopas – Southwest Region 
camperinsouthidahodirector@gmail.com

Tiffany Eckles – South Central Region 
teckles@csi.edu

Lacy Parker – Southeast Region
lacyparker@yahoo.com