Western New York Compassion Connection was created in response to a profound and often unmet need: supporting families navigating the unimaginable loss of a significant person in their life. Death is life’s greatest disruptor, and in a culture that often avoids conversations around grief, many families are left to cope in isolation.
Since 2013, P.U.N.T. Pediatric Cancer Collaborative has supported grieving parents, children, and siblings through peer-based connections. Again and again, we’ve witnessed the quiet, powerful relief that comes when someone grieving connects with another who truly understands—no explanations needed. Children find space to talk openly about the sibling they’ve lost. Teens share complex emotions like survivor’s guilt and loneliness. Parents, navigating overwhelming pain, find comfort in not being alone.
The need for grief support in our region is significant. According to the JAG Child Bereavement Estimation Model, 1 in 11 children in Western New York will experience the loss of a parent or sibling by age 18. These children face increased risks of mental health challenges, academic struggles, and social isolation, while caregivers often struggle to support them through their own grief.
Western New York Compassion Connection aims to change that. Through a dedicated, no-cost grief support center, families have access to a safe, compassionate space to heal together. In addition to peer support groups, our team engages in community outreach and grief education, and provides resources to schools, workplaces, and community partners—helping to build a more grief-informed and compassionate community for all.