At Friends of Aine Center for Grieving Children and Families, we provide free peer-to-peer support services and resources to bereaved kids and teens.
In New Hampshire, 1 in 13 children will experience the death of a loved one before age 18. Childhood bereavement is a prevalent and critical public health issue that can have a profound impact on a child’s future wellbeing. These statistics don’t account for the number of children who lose a "parental figure," such as a grandparent or other relative that provides care. Friends of Aine is the only nonprofit organization in New Hampshire whose sole mission is to support grieving families. That is why our services are imperative in helping children to effectively manage the emotions and sadness that follow a devastating loss.
We aim to support grieving families in New Hampshire through our program groups, educate the community about resources available through us and other community organizations, and to advocate for our families by addressing the growing need for bereavement services in New Hampshire.
All of this wouldn't be possible without the dedication of our facilitators, who are imperative to fulfilling our mission of leaving no child to grieve alone. Facilitators work directly with a group of children to talk about their grief through guided activities, in hopes of better understanding the emotions experienced after a significant loss.