CORK’S PLACE KIDS GRIEF CENTER
Cork’s Place Kids Grief Center equips children and adults with tools and resources for coping with grief so they can live their best lives.
Cork’s Place is the only grief support facility in the Tri-Cities that is specifically designed for children, teens and families. It provides a safe and supportive environment where kids and their grown-ups are empowered to process their grief and lead productive lives.
How does the service work?
Cork’s Place offers one-day workshops and five-week-long programs for kids and adults who are grieving the death of a loved one. During sessions, kids participate in hands-on activities related to grief. Adult caregivers participate in a separate grief group that meets simultaneously.
What can children expect during sessions?
During sessions, children:
- Receive guidance from staff and trained volunteers.
- Are grouped with others who are similar in age.
- Explore hands-on stations related to grief.
- Participate in activities that are related to their personal grief, such as group discussion, physical activity, art and music.
- Make connections with other kids who are grieving.
What can adults expect during sessions?
During sessions, adults:
- Receive guidance from staff and trained volunteers.
- Meet with other adults who are going through similar experiences.
- Learn more about grief and the effects it has on kids.
- Receive grief support for themselves.
- Are provided with resources and tools that will help them better support their grieving kids at home.
Five-Week Program
The five-week program expands upon the activities and training used in the one-day workshops. Kids and their adult caregivers meet once a week and receive an extra layer of education and support.
Cork's Place Family Information Packet
Before registration, please read the Cork’s Place Family Information Packet to learn more about the program, rules, and expectations!
What can you expect after attending Cork’s Place?
After attending Cork’s Place, kids and their grown-ups:
- Are equiped with tools and resources to manage their grief.
- Can express their thoughts and emotions related to grief in a healthy way.
- Feel empowered to discuss their grief.
- Have found hope, healing and connection with others.
How is Cork’s Place paid for?
Thanks to grants, fundraising events and individual contributions from our generous community, our services are offered to families at no cost.
If you would like to invest in Cork’s Place, you can learn more and donate online.
How do you know if your child needs grief support?
Children react to grief in various ways. Some short-term signs of grief include:
- Nervousness
- Nightmares or reoccurring dreams
- Depression or withdrawal
- Hyperactivity
- Expressive anger or uncontrollable anger
- Inability to concentrate (especially in school)
- Over dependency on one person
- Frequent illness
Your child does not need to have had symptoms of grief to attend Cork’s Place. Anyone who is concerned about their child or wants to learn more about how to navigate grief is invited to participate in our program. Cork’s Place provides grief support for children in Richland, Kennewick, Pasco and surrounding areas in Benton & Franklin Counties.
Grief Kits
Grief kits are specially designed to support children and teens who are unable to attend in-person Cork’s groups but still need assistance in navigating their grief journey. These kits contain a variety of tools and resources tailored to help children process their feelings of loss at home. Each kit typically includes age-appropriate activities, such as memory-building crafts, journaling exercises, and educational materials on grief. By providing these resources, families can create a supportive environment where children feel encouraged to express their emotions, learn coping strategies, and work through their grief in a meaningful way, even from a distance.
Cork’s Place Kids Grief Center makes a big impact on the lives of children, teens, and families experiencing grief.