Highmark Caring Place

Children have been called "forgotten mourners." In Pennsylvania, thousands of children experience the death of a father or mother, sister or brother, grandparent or other family member, every year. These children feel alone. The Highmark Caring Place is a safe place where grieving children and their families talk about their feelings and memories with each other in the presence of caring volunteers. The Caring Place helps grieving children know they are not alone. The Highmark Caring Place is a volunteer based program. Our volunteers are the HEART of our program. Caring Place volunteers come from all walks of life. No special education or experience is needed to become a Caring Place volunteer - just an ability to truly listen and support others. Children and adults meet in age-specific groups, sharing thoughts and feelings, offering peer support. Volunteers facilitate groups of children or adults, listening, encouraging, helping them to express memories and feelings.