Portland, OR. As the toll of the worldwide pandemic climbs higher every day, so does the need for grief response and counseling for families. Porsche Beaverton and Audi Beaverton are helping the Dougy Center’s grief counseling efforts by donating $17,100. The money was raised because Porsche and Audi pledged to donate $100 for every car sold during the month of December.
Everyone responds to grief in a unique way and grief can last a lifetime, which is completely normal. Counselors explain that being grief-informed is vital now. “After listening to and supporting thousands of children, teens, young adults, and adults who are grieving the death of someone in their lives, and with pandemic-related deaths increasing, and more than 1.6 million deaths worldwide, over 300,000 in the U.S., it is time, now more than ever, to understand what it means to be grief-informed.” Here’s a link to resources addressing grief:
The Dougy Center (founded in 1982) has been helping children, young adults, and families through their grief and trauma by teaching them that grief is not only natural but that there is no “right way” to grieve. the loss of a loved one. The Dougy Center is also offering many programs remotely for easy access from home.
Dougy Turno, a 13 year old boy who inspired the founding of the Dougy Center for grieving children and familes.
Despite the social stigmas surrounding the display of grief and sadness, the Dougy Center seeks to raise awareness to break down the barriers of mental health. In a paper written by Dr. Donna Schuurman and Dr. Monique Mitchell (two directors at the Dougy Center), they explain that grief manifests itself in various ways through many social facets of our lives, leading to a complicated social web of emotional response and management with no easy answer. Further, they say that dealing with one’s grief has no time-line or direction and that it can last a lifetime. They say, during this time of pain and loss across the nation and the globe, it’s important to remember that you are not alone and that there are resources for you.
Yet, the Dougy Center doesn’t place sole responsibility of mental health awareness and management on health care professionals. Rather, their mission is one of mutual aid (read: reciprocal aid and cooperation) and community involvement. This is an important distinction as health care access is expensive and often inaccessible, especially when considering mental health. The Dougy Center has continually been a positive force within the community by offering training for individuals and/or organizations seeking to become grieving counselors, providing safe spaces for grieving children and their families, and raising awareness about mental health.
From the Dougy Center:
If you’d like to donate your resources or time, the Dougy Center has a plethora of options available to you. They also thrive on donations, which can be offered here.
The Dougy Center, the first center in the United States to provide peer support groups for grieving children, was founded in 1982. A courageous boy named Dougy Turno died of an inoperable brain tumor at the age of 13. In the two months prior to his death, he was a patient at Oregon Health Sciences University, where Beverly Chappell, at the request of Swiss psychiatrist and pioneer in the field of death, dying and bereavement, Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, supported Dougy and his family during his treatment. Bev quickly observed Dougy’s ability to bond with other teens facing serious medical issues, how he intuitively knew he was dying, and how he helped other kids talk about their fears. After his death, Bev envisioned a place where children, teens, and their parents coping with the death of a family member, could share their experience with others who understood, who didn’t tell them to “get over it” or judge how they chose to grieve. The first grief support groups met in Bev’s home and has grown from that grassroots effort to become a sought after resource for children and families who are grieving. It is still the only year-round child-centered program offering peer support groups to grieving families in our community.
Portland, OR. The Dougy Center 2020 “Reflection” virtual benefit was held on May 13th. The nonprofit raised $530,366, which exceeded its goal of $500,000. Rey Cumplido, who posed for a photo with his family, was the winner of the 23rd Annual Porsche Boxster Raffle and happily drove away with the big prize.
Administrators at the Dougy Center say because of the COVID-19 pandemic they’re working remotely with families. The Dougy Center provides support for children, teens, young adults, and their families grieving a death can share their experiences. Here’s a video about the organization:
Organizers say If you were not able to tune in and would like to make a gift, the event donation page can be found here at this link. It will remain open for a limited time.
Auctioneer Johnna Lee Wells and Dougy Center Executive Director, Brennan Wood connect with supporters online.
The Dougy Center provides support in a safe place where children, teens, young adults, and their families grieving a death can share their experiences. The program was launched in 1982.
Event chairs were Ashleigh and Mike Gunter. The event was presented by KinderCare Educaton and the raffle was sponsored by Porsche Beaverton.
From The Dougy Center:
The mission of The Dougy Center is to provide support for children, teens, young adults and their families grieving a death, through peer support groups, training and education. Through our National Center for Grieving Children & Families, we provide support and training locally, nationally and internationally to individuals and organizations seeking to assist grieving children. More info at: https://www.dougy.org/
Portland, OR. Over 500 community leaders gathered at the Portland Art Museum on May 6th to support The Dougy Center, a National Center for Grieving Children & Families. The 2016 Reflection Benefit & Auction was presented by KinderCare Education. This year’s event raised the most money in Dougy Center history. The night included a silent auction showcasing a gallery of one-of-a-kind art designed by children and teens, an elegant dinner, a testimonial by a Dougy Center family and a live auction. The benefit, Co-Chaired by Dougy Center Board Member Kevin Sailor and his wife Jessica, raised over $685,000 for programs to support children, teens, young adults, and their families grieving a death or those living with a family member with an advanced serious illness.
Artwork, like “The Blue Dragon” were popular auction items.
There was a lot of excitement about picking a Boxster raffle ticket. It’s first time in 19 years that The Dougy Center Porsche Boxster Raffle completely sold out of all 2,000 tickets.
The Boxter winner, David Jackson of Beaverton, was not at the auction, but posed with his new car when it was delivered.
From The Dougy Center:
The Dougy Center provides support in a safe place where children, teens, young adults and their families who are grieving a death can share their experiences. Locally, The Dougy Center serves over 500 children and 350 adult family members each month with peer support groups in Portland, Hillsboro and Canby. Through the National Center for Grieving Children & Families, The Dougy Center also provides information and training locally, nationally and internationally to individuals and organizations seeking to assist children in grief. The Dougy Center does not charge for its support services, and relies solely on the generous donations of individuals, corporations and foundations.
Portland, May 9th, 2015. Reflection, The Dougy Center’s Annual Benefit at the Portland Art Museum exceeded expectations and drew 400 happy fans. Funds raised support the unique program where children, teens, young adults and their families who are grieving a death can share their experiences. Locally, The Dougy Center serves over 450 children and 300 adult family members each month with peer support groups in Portland, Hillsboro and Canby. Through the National Center for Grieving Children & Families, The Dougy Center also provides information and training locally, nationally and internationally to individuals and organizations seeking to assist children in grief. The Dougy Center does not charge for its support services, and relies solely on the generous donations of individuals, corporations and foundations.
Buzz & Catie Ellis, Event Co-Chairs
The mission of The Dougy Center is to provide support in a safe place where children, teens, young adults and their families grieving a death can share their experiences.
The Dougy Center, the first center in the United States to provide peer support groups for grieving children, was founded in 1982. A courageous boy named Dougy Turno died of an inoperable brain tumor at the age of 13. In the two months prior to his death, he was a patient at Oregon Health Sciences University, where Beverly Chappell, at the request of Swiss psychiatrist and pioneer in the field of death, dying and bereavement, Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, supported Dougy and his family during his treatment. Bev quickly observed Dougy’s ability to bond with other teens facing serious medical issues, how he intuitively knew he was dying, and how he helped other kids talk about their fears. After his death, Bev envisioned a place where children, teens, and their parents coping with the death of a family member, could share their experience with others who understood, who didn’t tell them to “get over it” or judge how they chose to grieve. The first grief support groups met in Bev’s home and has grown from that grassroots effort to become a sought after resource for children and families who are grieving. It is still the only year-round child-centered program offering peer support groups to grieving families in our community.
Today, The Dougy Center serves around 450 children and their 300 adult family members each month. Our 27, open-ended peer support groups meet every other week and are divided by age, type of death (illness, sudden death, murder, suicide) and who died (parent, sibling). The concurrent 27 adult support groups meet at the same time for the caregiver of the child or teen who is attending group. Since our founding, The Dougy Center has served 30,000 children, teens and their families and has received national and international acclaim for our pioneering peer support model for helping children cope with the death of a family member.
We provide educational materials about children and grief and training opportunities to local and national agencies in need of our expertise. We are widely known for our groundbreaking grief support group model, and our expertise has spread nationally and internationally. Around the world, The Dougy Center’s pioneering model has been replicated through our trainings and the trainings of programs we’ve trained. We now estimate that there are over 500 organizations worldwide that are using our peer support group model and credit the Center with their founding.
The Dougy Center relies on the generosity of individuals, businesses and foundations. We receive no government funding and are supported entirely by private donations and professional training fees. We never charge families for our services.
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