Local organizations address grief and loss through community programming

Local organizations address grief and loss through community programming Local organizations address grief and loss through community programming Daily file photo by Francesco Thorik-Saboia Evanston Public Library has hosted monthly Death Cafe gatherings for about nine years. Ziyuan Gao, Reporter October 15, 2026 Paula Carter lost her husband about a month before her daughter, Georgia, turned six. Carter said Georgia began acting out and was full of questions she didn’t have answers for. “They don’t know what to do with their feelings, especially their feelings of anger, so they just lash out,” Carter said. Today, Carter is the volunteer coordinator for Rainbows for All Children, an organization dedicated to helping families navigate questions about grief. Evanston Public Library has also hosted monthly Death Cafe gatherings for about nine years, offering attendees a chance to discuss topics related to death “in a safe environment without an agenda, judgment, or criticism,” according to EPL’s website. Alejandro Salinas, an EPL Death Cafe facilitator and president of the Chicago Death Doula Collective, said many participants turn to humor in times of grief. “Some of them are really funny,” Salinas said. “I always say we laugh more than we cry.” During each session, participants sit in a circle of chairs as a facilitator guides them through conversation using a set of “coffin cards,” which include questions about loss and death. Death Cafe, Salinas said, creates a space where death can be discussed openly. “Grief isn’t meant to be held alone,” he said. “They say it takes a village to raise a child. It also takes a village to bury the dead.” While Death Cafe creates a space for people to reflect on grief together, Rainbows for All Children focuses on helping young people navigate loss and major life transitions. Colleen Havey, the events coordinator at Rainbows, said children need specific support to independently manage their emotions in an unstable world. “There are things constantly changing in the world around us,” Harvey said. “There’s political changes. There are educational changes. There are lifestyle changes, cultural changes. But one thing that does not change is the emotion of grief.” Through peer support groups for young people ages 3 to 25, Rainbows helps participants cope with a range of experiences, including the death of a loved one; a family member’s military deployment or incarceration; and parental divorce, separation or abandonment. Rainbows Executive Director Stephanie Garrity said there’s a gap between the number of young people who experience loss and those who receive the support they need. Garrity wants to disprove the myth that “the kids are going to be okay.” “Is ‘okay’ what we want for our kids?” Garrity said. “Do we want everyone to just be ‘okay,’ or do we want them to be awesome? Do we want them to thrive?” Email: [email protected] Related Stories: — International students share how community supports immigrants’ mental health — ‘Stop the transmission of violence’: How local organizations are responding to gun violence in Chicago — How creative arts therapies are helping young adults face mental health challenges 0 Like This Story Share on Facebook Share on X Email this Story Print this Story Tags: Death Cafe Rainbows for All Children More to Discover More in City Endeavor Health, Rush University System announce plans to merge City Council takes first look at FY27 budget, commends outgoing Mayor Daniel Biss ETHS faces uphill battle following June ransomware attack Chicago Stars shoot to be ‘good neighbors’ amid talks of potential move to Ryan Field Evanston weighs affordability, compliance as committees finalize rules for Healthy Buildings Ordinance City Council expected to consider 1-year data center moratorium by end of year More in Latest Stories Guest professors invite NU students, faculty to explore Black anarchism Northwestern first-years navigate application stress, rejection amid competitive club culture Bienen reduces number of private quarterly instruction lessons for students Block Museum of Art hosts discussion on art, women in athletics Cover to Cover: Kyle MacLachlan’s ‘Fictional Selves’ explores the man in the black suit Cover to Cover: ‘Hollywood, Ending’ offers a witty, compassionate critique of the entertainment industry More in Local D65 administrators propose closing Dewey, Lincolnwood Elementary schools, about $17 million in additional cuts Former Willard, Bessie Rhodes TWI parents highlight challenges, successes of transition to Foster Evanston’s newest off-leash dog park brings optimism, concerns from community Staff misled City Council about millions in unauthorized gas tax spending, records show Robyn Gabel hosts ‘Mobile DMV’ event, helps residents obtain licenses and register to vote Environmentalist Kim Wasserman, local organizers discuss environmental justice and collective action at Evanston/North Shore NAACP event