Published on November 26, 2019
In Partnership with Judi’s House/JAG Institute of Denver, Colorado
Nashville, TN (November 26, 2019) – Alive has been chosen as one of six Childhood Bereavement Changemakers (CBC). After a thorough vetting and interview process that involved more than 30 unique organizations representing 20 states, Alive emerged as a passionate leader focused on improving the future and strengthening outcomes for grieving youth. CBCs join a collaborative initiative developed by Denver-based grief care organization, Judi’s House/JAG Institute (JH/JAG) in partnership with the New York Life Foundation.
“It is an honor to have been selected for participation in the Changemaker Initiative,” said Alive’s Grief Center Director Alissa Drescher. “Childhood grief is a public health issue that directly impacts families in Middle Tennessee. We are excited to utilize this new data and information to promote a positive outcome for young grievers in our community.”
Alive’s Grief Center serves nearly 1,000 community members each year. Our donor-supported programs include developmentally appropriate activities for children of all ages. They are affordable and open to anyone in the community who have experienced the death of someone significant. Services include one-on-one counseling, support groups, expressive arts workshops, and camps for kids and teens.
Under Drescher’s leadership, Alive has launched new groups for families and children including the monthly Family Group which includes a community dinner and the Little Hearts Club for children ages 3-6 and their guardian(s) who have experienced the death of someone close to them. Call Alive’s Griefline to receive support or join a group in your area today: 615-963-4732.
The CBC Collaborative brings together diverse agencies from across the nation that want to understand how local results from the Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model (CBEM) can inform service planning, increase funding, and enhance overall impact. This understanding is key to mobilizing care for the estimated one in eleven who will experience the death of a parent or sibling by age 18.
Alive is joined by the following national partners: Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas, San Antonio, Texas The Dougy Center, Portland, Oregon
Greater Philadelphia Grief Collaborative, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Includes individuals representing: Uplift Center for Grieving Children, Peter’s Place, The Center for Loss and Bereavement, A Haven, and Safe Harbor The Grief Center of Southwest Colorado, Durango, Colorado OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center, Los Angeles, California
About Alive
Alive is the only nonprofit provider of hospice care and end-of-life services in Middle Tennessee. Its mission is to provide loving care for people with life-threatening illnesses, support to their families, and service to the community in a spirit of enriching lives. This includes in-home and in-patient hospice care, grief support, advance care planning, outreach, support to underserved communities, education, financial assistance, a comprehensive volunteer program, and professional training through the Alive Institute. A pioneer in the “good death” movement, Alive established the third hospice in the nation in 1975. Today, it remains true to its roots as an innovator and leader, helping individuals Adapt to Life Limiting Illnesses Very Effectively (ALIVE). To learn more or volunteer, visit AliveHospice.org or call 615-327-1085.
About the Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model
In partnership with the New York Life Foundation, the Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model (CBEM) is a first-of-its-kind tool developed by Judi’s House/JAG Institute that uses population metrics to approximate rates of children and youth who will experience the death of a parent or sibling by the time they reach adulthood on both national and state levels. It is currently estimated that 1 in 14 children in the U.S. will experience the death of a parent or sibling by the age of 18.
About Judi’s House
Judi’s House is the only free-standing organization in Metro Denver devoted solely to supporting grieving children and their families with research-based care. The mission of Judi’s House is to help children and families grieving a death find connection and healing, while JAG Institute helps further this mission through comprehensive research and training.