The Caring Place, a center for grieving children, adolescents, and their families, provides peer and volunteer support to children and their families who are grieving the death of a loved one.The idea of a bereavement center for children was initiated at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh by a group of social workers, child development specialists, nurses, physicians and clergy. They were concerned about the lack of support available to families, particularly children, following the death of a family member.

After investigating and assessing the Pittsburgh community’s needs, the group interviewed thirty-five professionals and service providers to analyze existing bereavement services. The professionals were also asked to review and respond to a model for a bereavement center. The response was overwhelming support to bring such a facility to the Pittsburgh area.

In 1995, the Caring Place contacted the Junior League of Pittsburgh to help open the center and provide League volunteers to serve as trained grief counselors. In 1996, the dream became a reality and the center for grieving children was opened.

Since its inception in 1994, the Caring Place has become part of Highmark’s caring foundation and another site was opened in Erie, Pennsylvania to serve thousands of children and adults who have lost family members.

The Caring Place is a safe place with safe people, where grieving children and families receive support and encouragement from peers and from trained adult volunteers.