FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions at Jeff’s Place
What is Jeff's Place?
Jeff’s Place provides FREE bereavement support groups for children, teens, and their families. We also offer education and training to local schools, mental health agencies, or other community organizations interested in issues of children and grief. Furthermore, we will assist with crisis intervention following a death. We also offer fee-based individual counseling on a sliding scale.
How often & what time is group held?
We offer multiple groups that run twice monthly at our location in Framingham. Groups meet in either the late afternoon or evening, depending on age. For more details as to which specific group may be right for you, please feel free to call our office at (508)-879-2800.
What does an average afternoon group (for our youngest grievers) look like?
We begin with an opening ritual, inviting kids to put up a picture of the person who died. We then transition into groups sub-divided by age and culminate in a closing ritual with all participants. Afternoon groups run from 4:15pm-5:30pm.
What does an average evening group look like?
We begin with a shared meal, followed by candle-lighting, leading into groups sub-divided by age, and culminating in a closing ritual with all participants. A group night runs from 6:30pm-8:30pm.
Where are the groups held?
Groups are held at our office located at Jeff’s Place, 281 Plesant St., Framingham, MA, 01702.
We also work with various schools in the MetroWest area to support grieving kids by running groups on location during the day.
Is it religious?
Jeff’s Place does not have any religious affiliation. We welcome families in all their diverse forms, and of all races, ethnicities, socioeconomic strata, and religious beliefs.
Who can attend?
Jeff’s Place Support groups are tailored to meet the needs of children/teens and their families who are coping with the death loss of an immediate family member.
Individual counseling is also an available offering for children, teens, and young adults who are coping with a death loss of a meaningful relationship.
How much does it cost?
Jeff’s Place is entirely free for support group attendees, thanks to the generosity of our donors. Jeff’s Place is a non-profit organization and we rely on contributions from the community to cover the costs for each family.
We do, however, charge a fee for individual counseling support, on an income-based sliding scale, which is available for review upon request.
How long after the death does a family need to wait before calling?
A family can call and start the process of information gathering as soon as they feel ready. Each family is unique, and each family member grieves differently. We will provide information about our program and offer our insights, but each family is the “expert” of their grief and we respect their decision of when the right time is to start.
How long is a family expected to attend groups?
We trust each family to know when is the right amount of time for their family. As a family works through their unique grief journey, they will begin to feel when this part of the journey is coming to an end. We offer our support and insights throughout the process. We expect consistent attendance once a family is enrolled in a group. A family is expected to call or email as soon as possible if they must be absent. Continuity of attendance is important to build a supportive environment for grief work.
What if I want counseling for myself or my family?
We provide short-term, fee-based, individual, and family counseling on a sliding scale. Click here to submit an Individual Counseling Application, and we will reach out to follow-up. We also have a referral list available, upon request.
Who runs the groups?
All of our groups are facilitated by a clinician and a professionally trained volunteer.
How are facilitators trained?
Before beginning a facilitator role, all volunteers participate in a mandatory training on issues related to children, teens and grief in a peer-support model of group work. This training occurs once annually, in the fall.
Is there a long waiting list to volunteer?
Since volunteer opportunities are based on group needs, there may be a wait time between training and group placement. Generally, we have space for new volunteers each year.
How do we apply to become a volunteer?
Please fill out our volunteer application by clicking here.
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