OUR HOUSE Stories
A Letter
from Laney
Last year was the most horrible year of my life. My mother died from complications following a heart attack and then five months later my beautiful sister died after brain surgery. I was in an absolute tailspin of grief. My sister left two sons behind and their well being was the only thing that kept me going... on sheer adrenalin. My faith and heart were truly broken. Even after surviving breast cancer and experiencing the death of my father ten years earlier, nothing could prepare me for this kind of grief. Coincidently a dear friend of mine had lost her mother around the same time of my sister's death. The two of us were psychologically minded enough to realize we.. Read More »

Child and Adolescent Programs

The death of a parent or sibling is devastating for children and adolescents. They often have intense feelings (sadness, anger, fear, and/or guilt) related to their grief. Children may feel uncomfortable talking about the death with peers who have not had a similar experience because it makes them feel different. They may not talk to surviving family because they don't want to upset them. Many children and adolescents are left with a strong sense of being alone in the world with their grief and wanting to be strong for others.
Child and Adolescent Support Groups:
  • are age and relationship specific
  • help children and adolescents begin to heal
  • offer a warm, safe place to interact with other children and adolescents experiencing similar feelings & life changes
  • utilize various methods for grief expression (art, music, play, creative writing)
  • For more information about our Children and Adolescent Programs call:
    310-475-0299 or 818-222-3344

School Program

Death knows no boundaries. OUR HOUSE recognizes that many of our community's most vulnerable youth have experienced the death of a family member or friend and may not be able to attend a group in our West Los Angeles or Valley location, so we bring our services to them. OUR HOUSE offers school-based grief support groups for elementary, middle, and high school students. Students are identified by school personnel and invited to participate.
Groups:
  • consists of 8 to 12 students
  • take place on-site at schools throughout Los Angeles County
  • occur once a week for 8 to 10 weeks
  • are co-led by highly trained and compassionate volunteers
  • For more information about our Children and Adolescent Programs call:
    310-475-0299 or 818-222-3344

Adult Program

When someone dies, grievers may experience overwhelming emotions including sadness, anger, guilt, and perhaps a sense of losing control. OUR HOUSE groups offer a warm, supportive, caring environment where adults can process their feelings and begin the healing process together.
Adult support groups are specific to age and relationship. We have groups for:
  • Adults who have experienced the death of a partner or spouse are divided into Young, Mid-Life, and Later Life Widows and Widowers
  • Parents who have experienced the death of a child
  • Adult Children who have experienced the death of a parent
  • Siblings who have experienced the death of a brother or sister
  • General Grief when adults experience the death of a close friend or relative
Groups consist of eight to twelve members. The intimate home-like atmosphere helps to create a sense of community and support where feelings and memories can be expressed. The groups allow for sharing, learning, and healing.
For more information about our Adult Program call: 310-475-0299 or 818-222-3344

Medical and Clergy Professional Education

Death is a natural part of life, yet many members of the clergy, physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals regard death as a failure. The professionals who family members look to for answers and understanding may feel inadequately prepared to discuss death or provide the emotional support needed.
OUR HOUSE offers professionals the opportunity to:
  • explore their own beliefs and cultural influences around death
  • discuss theoretical and ethical considerations specific to working with individuals and families faced with a terminal illness
  • learn strategies for coping with death and identifying symptoms of "compassion fatigue"
  • have a more comprehensive understanding of the grief support resources available in our community, and learn first hand OUR HOUSE alumni who have experienced the death of a family or friend
For more information about our Medical and Clergy Professional Education program call: 310-475-0299 or 818-222-3344

Community/Professional Education

OUR HOUSE staff and volunteers can provide intensive educational programs or brief presentations on the topic of grief to community professionals, civic groups, nonprofit agencies, schools, universities, businesses, corporations, and other community groups. Presentations are tailored to meet the needs of the requesting organization. Topics include:
  • What is this Thing Called Grief?
  • How Children and Adolescents Grieve
  • Coping with a Death in the Workplace or School
  • Working with Your Grieving Clients

OUR HOUSE conducts Continuing Education (CEU) Workshops including a 3 day Grief Certificate Training Program for mental health, clergy and medical professionals.

For more information our Community/Professional Education Program call: 310-475-0299 or 818-222-3344

Post-Crisis Grief Intervention

OUR HOUSE staff and volunteers are available for time limited grief support to help schools, organizations, or businesses cope after the death of a classmate, client, or co-worker.
For more information about Post-Crisis Grief Intervention services call: 310-475-0299 or 818-222-3344