Dear Friends,

June is National Children’s Awareness Month, a time to honor and show appreciation for children and to bring awareness to important topics. In this month's newsletter, you will meet Audrey, a college student who was once a child in our program who is now pursuing her dreams for her future.

At Jessica’s House, we are committed to supporting children who have experienced the death of a parent or sibling by providing a safe place for healing and expression. The death of a parent or sibling before the age of 18 is known to be one of the most traumatic and challenging experiences for children and adolescents and is associated with a range of adverse outcomes. Unsupported grief carries many risk factors, which is why Jessica’s House is focused on providing opportunities for connection and shared experiences through our unique peer support groups.

While summer can be a time for gardening, swimming, camping, beach visits, and other warm-weather pleasures, everything you once enjoyed about summer changes after someone close to you dies. If you are grieving this summer, be gentle with yourself and know Jessica’s House is here for you and your family. Our summer groups will be back in session in July, and we hope you’ll join us.

Until next month, may you be held.

With gratitude,

Erin Nelson

Founder and Executive Director, Jessica's House

Celebrating the 4th of July can be especially tough when you are grieving. The day, with its fireworks, barbeques, and celebrations, brings a poignant reminder of loved ones who are no longer with us. This sense of absence can feel even deeper for children, who might find it difficult to understand and express their emotions.

Finding ways to blend old and new traditions can bring a sense of comfort. Introduce activities that honor their loved one can add meaning to your day. Invite conversations that allow children to voice their feelings so they know their emotions are valid. Ask them to join you in remembering their loved one by lighting a candle or sharing stories to get through this summer holiday together.

Join Us for Drum It Out

Please join us July 18th for a Drum It Out session tailored for children and adult caregivers who have experienced the death of a family member. Channel your emotions and energy through rhythmic drumming led by Josh Robinson!

Register now using the link below to secure your spot, as spaces are limited.

Life After Loss

Since Jessica's House opened its doors in 2012, we have served thousands of children, teens, young adults, and their families. Many children have participated in our group support program and gained valuable tools to navigate their grief. It brings us immense joy to witness these children finding peace and healing after loss.

We are honored to introduce you to one of these remarkable individuals. Meet Audrey who attended Jessica's House from 2016 to 2022 after her father, Hank died. She is now a senior at the University of California, Santa Barbara, majoring in Applied Mathematics.

For those that don't know you, please share a few things about yourself and your connection to Jessica's House.

Hi, my name is Audrey Harmon! I am 20 years old and currently attending the University of California, Santa Barbara. The summer before I started 8th grade, my father died from Cancer. Losing a parent is a difficult experience, especially at a young age. At the age of 12, I was unsure how I was going to be able to cope with all the emotions I was feeling. It was not until my family started to attend Jessica’s House that I finally felt some sense of comfort. We were instantly welcomed with open arms and provided with so much comfort and support. During a difficult time, Jessica’s House became a safe place, one of the only places outside my own home that I felt comfortable expressing my emotions. It was the first place I realized I was not alone. Times like this can feel so isolating, but Jessica’s House provided my family with the world’s greatest support system. Lifelong friendships were made here. I was able to watch myself grow into the person I am today and develop some amazing friendships. I was able to watch my three younger brothers grow into the amazing young men they are today. I was able to watch how my mom found two of her best friends and rediscovered love after suffering the loss of her husband. I firsthand saw how Jessica’s House brings people together. It is a place where everyone can truly be themselves. Without Jessica’s House, I would not be able to share my father’s story. It has given me the ability to open up and not focus on his death but on the life he lived. I have loved and cherished every moment I spent there and am forever grateful to have had Jessica’s House as a part of my journey. 

Where are you going to college and what are you studying?



I am a rising senior at the University of California, Santa Barbara. I am currently studying Applied Mathematics. Go Gauchos!

What is a talent or trait you inherited from your dad, Hank and how does that show up regularly in your life?



My dad was a jack of all trades. Musician, athlete, grill master, comedic genius, and most importantly an amazing father. You name it, he has probably tried it and excelled. While I might not have had this ability passed down to me, there is one thing that he did give me. It is his determination and drive. My dad was one of the most driven people I have ever met. It was this drive and determination that allowed him to excel in all aspects of his life, but also allowed him to put up a strong fight against cancer. It was this mentality that never allowed any hardship to ruin his spirit. From a young age, he taught me the importance of education and succeeding academically. From the day I entered Kindergarten, I have been someone who is determined to succeed academically. I will put my heart and soul into my studies. Throughout my entire academic career, I have taken his drive and determination and worked so hard to get to where I am today. I am now about to enter my senior year at UCSB as an Applied Mathematics major. This drive and determination does not stop at the academic level. This is something that I can see in my daily life. He taught me that if you try your best and work your hardest, you will be able to achieve great things. This is the mentality that he gave me that I apply daily.  

What is something you are most proud of?



Something I am most proud of is the person I have become. If there is one thing my dad taught me, it is to not be afraid to be yourself and to be proud of the person you are. I have worked so hard to become who I am today. I try to be the best sister, friend, daughter, student, employee, etc. I want to be able to look back at myself 10, 20, 30+ years from now and be happy with the person I am. I want to be able to say that there is nothing I would have changed or done differently. If there is one thing I have learned from the loss of my father it’s that you cannot take any moment for granted. Life is short, so live every moment to the fullest. With this mentality, I even said yes to going skydiving! This is something that in the past I would have been so scared to try, but now I can say I took that risk and loved every moment of it. That is how I live my life. Living life regret-free and really taking in every moment. I am happy and proud of who I am today.

As a child who experienced the death of your father at a young age, what advice would you give to other children who have experienced the death of a parent?



Losing my father at a young age was not easy, but it did teach me a lot of important life lessons. I was able to learn that grief is not linear and everyone experiences grief differently. The advice I would give to other children who have experienced the death of a parent is that your experience is unique to you. Do not compare your grief and your healing to those around you. No matter what you are going through, do not let anyone invalidate your feelings. I would tell them that while this is going to be a difficult time in your life, you are not alone. Find coping methods that work for you, do not be scared to reach out for help, and always remember to surround yourself with the ones you love. Do not let this death define you or define the parent you have lost. This experience is only a chapter in your book and not your entire life story, and the same goes for the person who died. Do not focus on their death but on the life they lived. Do not be afraid to share their life story. They are so much more than their death, and so are you. While this will forever be a part of your life, there is so much you can learn from it. Find your support system, find coping mechanisms that work for you, and do not be afraid to talk about it. I know it can feel isolating, but I promise there are plenty of people out there who will be there for you and never hesitate to ask for help. I promise that everything will be okay. 

Anything else you’d like to add about your time or experience with Jessica’s House?



My time and experience with Jessica’s House has made a lasting impact on my family and me. Even though it can be difficult at first to open up about something so vulnerable, I am grateful that Jessica’s House gave me a safe space to do so. The work that is being done at Jessica’s House is so impactful, and I wish that anyone going through a loss could have a Jessica’s House in their life. 

Materials: Legal-sized paper with shield template, markers, crayons, and pencils.

Directions: Create a Family Shield that represents your family.

• Upper left quadrant: Draw a picture or write how you cope with big emotions.
• Examples: listening to music, going on walks, talking to friends, playing sports, etc.
• Upper right quadrant: Draw a picture or write words to describe your grief.
• Examples: sharp, unknown, helpless, silent, tornado, rainbow, broken heart, etc.
• Lower left quadrant: Draw a picture of what your family mascot would look like.
• What are some characteristics of your mascot? Examples: playful, active, funny, confused, etc.
• Lower right quadrant: If your family had a tagline, what would it be?
• Examples: Always there to care. I’m safe, I’m warm, and I’m loved. Be kind every time, etc.

A few of our Jessica's House staff members had the opportunity to attend the NACG National Symposium on Children's Grief in Denver this month. They gained new insights into best practices in the field of children's bereavement making new connections and bringing back valuable resources, data, and ideas to

Jessica's House.

It was a colorful Family Art Night! Families unleashed their emotions by splattering colored shaving cream and chalk on canvases, then watched the magic unfold with water balloon tosses and vibrant chalk explosions! Thank you to art teacher Brooke Adams, for leading these creative activities for our Jessica's House families!

Middles & Teens Music Night

A night of healing through music. Middles and teens channeled their grief through music and songwriting. Thank you to our incredibly talented volunteers for guiding this soulful journey!

Volunteer Opportunity

Have you ever considered becoming a volunteer at Jessica's House? As a volunteer, you will play a vital role in providing grief support, assisting with school groups, and helping at events.

If you're interested in joining us, please fill out the Volunteer Application below. We are currently welcoming new volunteers for our upcoming training session.

Day 1 Training Dates (6-8:30 pm)

August 12th

Weekend Training Dates (9 am-4:00 pm)

September 14th & 15th

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