Safe Harbor

Safe Harbor is looking for fun and compassionate volunteers. If you would like to help run a bereavement support group with children and/or teens then please consider joining our amazing team! The time commitment is one evening every two weeks from September through May. Volunteer training for next season's support groups will be at the end of July. For more information please email safeharbor@jefferson.edu or call 215-481-5983.

A program for grieving children, teens and their families

The loss of a parent, sibling or caregiver is a devastating experience for a child. Who can they talk to? Who will really listen? Their friends may shy away because they don’t know what to say. It’s also hard to talk to the surviving parent or family member because they are grieving as well.

The Safe Harbor program provides ongoing grief support groups for children, teens and their parents or caregivers. This is a caring environment where they can come for support and understanding. Safe Harbor is offered completely free of charge.

At Safe Harbor, we believe that it is a natural process to grieve after a loss. The duration and intensity of grief is unique for each individual. Support, caring and acceptance from other individuals provides people with a natural capacity to heal.

Mission Statement

To provide ongoing support in a safe place, so that children, teens and young adults grieving the death of a loved one can share their experiences as they move through the healing process.

To provide parents with the necessary tools to understand and assist their grieving children and teens while supporting their grief through a parent/caregiver support group.

History

Safe Harbor opened its doors on January 17, 2001 to serve 17 families and 26 children. To date, we have served 2,000 children, teens and young adults in our grieving community. All this is provided completely free of charge thanks to our fifty-plus dedicated and caring volunteers and generous financial support from donors.