support groups

Peer Support Groups

Grief Support Groups at Jessica's House

During a time of unimaginable loss, Jessica's House provides free peer support in a safe place for children, teens, and young adults who have lost a parent or sibling, along with their parent or caregiver. We offer moments of connection, expression through art and play, and opportunities to share and practice coping skills. These groups are free for families, thanks to generous private support from our community.

Our Eight-Session Group Cycles

Families join an eight-session group cycle that meets every other week. Each cycle gives children, teens, young adults, and caregivers a consistent space to build trust with their peers, explore their grief, and grow in the coping skills that help them carry their loss. Near the end of each cycle, families take a few minutes to reflect on their experience and, with our staff, decide on their next step. Many families choose to continue with another cycle, while others take a pause, move into a different group, or stay connected through StoryKeepers, our alumni gatherings.

Participants are placed in groups by age, type of loss, and relationship to the person who died. We pause our groups in May to give our dedicated volunteers time to rest and recharge, and new cycles begin again in August.

What to Expect

Families gather and share a meal as they arrive. After dinner, each person in the family attends group with their peers. Each session is 1.5 hours and is facilitated by Jessica's House staff and highly trained volunteers

Peer Support Groups:

Parent Loss
Sibling Loss
Hope After Suicide
Hope After Homicide
Hope After Accidental Overdose
HeartStrings (pregnancy loss, infant loss and stillbirth)
Spanish Language
Tender Hearts

If you are interested in more information about Jessica’s House Peer Support Groups, please contact us here or call (209) 250-5395.

Finding Comfort in Peer Support Group

After losing their dad, Tonalli and Itzuri found comfort and connection through our grief support groups at Jessica’s House. Here, they share a glimpse of what that support has meant to them.

For the Spanish version of this video, visit here.