Free Youth Grief Peer Support — Arlington, MA | The Children's Room
The Children’s Room is an independent, nonprofit grief support center in Arlington, Massachusetts, dedicated to making sure no child, teen, or family has to grieve alone. Through free, ongoing peer support groups, children and teens who have experienced the death of a parent or sibling come together with others their own age who understand what they are going through. For families navigating one of the hardest experiences imaginable, this community offers connection, understanding, and hope.
What to Expect
Families come together on a bi-weekly basis for peer support groups at the Arlington center. Children and teens are grouped by age so they can share openly with peers facing similar losses, while caregivers meet in a concurrent group of their own. Sessions blend conversation, creative expression, and play, all facilitated by trained volunteers and monitored by a licensed clinician. The atmosphere is warm and unhurried, giving every participant room to grieve at their own pace.
Who This Group Is For
These groups welcome grieving children and teens and the adults who care for them, following the death of a parent, sibling, or other significant person. Whether a loss is recent or happened years ago, families are welcome. No one is turned away, and there is no cost to participate.
Why Peer Support Works
Grief can feel isolating, especially for young people who may not know anyone else who has lost a parent or sibling. Sitting alongside peers who truly understand normalizes the experience and reduces the loneliness that so often accompanies loss. Peer support does not replace clinical care, but it offers something equally vital: the reassurance of being seen, heard, and accompanied by others walking a similar path.
How to Join
Participation is free. To learn more about current groups, age groupings, and how to enroll, visit The Children’s Room online at childrensroom.org and complete the intake process. Staff will help match your family with the right group.