Facts That Drive Our Cause

This Tragedy Is not Rare

More than 2 million children under the age of 16 have experienced the death of a parent in the United States. By age 16, there is approximately one child who has lost his or her parent in every classroom and two on each school bus.

Koblenz, 2016

A Parent’s Death Impacts Daily Life Dramatically

In addition to daily routine and ordinary rules of behavior, fundamental world order is shattered when a parent dies young. A child no longer believes the world is a safe place. Principles of fairness, predictability, and reliability are toppled, and chaos now govern the unfolding life events.

Harris, 1995

The Value of Maintaining Connections

Among adults who lost a parent before the age of 18:

84% believe they dealt with it alone.
84% said there are many different types of coping and grieving (we believe the best one is your own).
79% believe it is important to keep a connection to the person who died.
73% said support was helpful.
68% said investing in something else helped (i.e. maintaining a routine was helpful).
63% believe they missed out on things because of the loss.

Source: Koblenz, 2016

Children Feel the Need to Withhold Their Emotions

Of those effected, 40% recall frequently pretending to be okay, as to not upset their surviving parent.

Wall Street Journal, Zaslow, 2010

The Devastation Lasts Long Beyond Childhood

According to those effected, the loss of a parent was the defining moment in a mourner’s lives. A truly catastrophic event.

Harris, 1995

Talking to a therapist is often not the answer

Surprisingly, 33% say talking to therapists or school guidance counselors is the “least helpful” activity.