The death of a loved one is a time of crisis and, if handled with caring and support, can become a process of growth.

The Lighthouse Community

Any child or youth, between the ages 3 to 18, who has experienced the death of a loved one can join a group. Most of our families come from Halton and Peel. The death may be that of a parent, primary caregiver, brother, sister, or close youth friend. Parents and guardians are welcome to attend the adult peer support groups that meet at the same time as the children’s groups.

 The Lighthouse community supports children, youth, and carers in their very personal experience of grief by providing a safe place to verbalize their difficult and often complex feelings and thoughts.

Often, family members wish to “protect” each other from their sadness at home. At the Lighthouse children and youths find they can comfortably express their feelings when they are with peers who have also experienced the death of a family member.

This expression of feelings and thoughts helps them reach an understanding of their loss and healing, and also builds hope and encouragement for “a life after death”.

E.M. - age 17

“The Lighthouse Program has provided me a place where I am surrounded with people who know how it feels like to lose someone they love. It makes daily life easier because I know I’m not alone and that what I feel is normal.” 

Joining a peer support group

After your call (905) 337-2333 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to the Lighthouse, you will be invited for a consultation with one of our program team members, who have years of experience in grief education and child and youth development. You will be able to ask questions, take a tour, and explore the suitability of the Lighthouse Program for your family. Some families participate fully, others just have one or two family members come to the Lighthouse. Some children stay a year, others come back when their grief re-surfaces triggered by their development or other events in their lives. The Lighthouse is there for our community for as long it is helpful to them.

Our peer support groups

All groups are facilitated by extensively-trained volunteers who are coordinated and supervised by our Program Director.  All our peer support groups meet on weekday evenings. Sessions run 90 minutes long, every other week, during the school year. There are breaks during school holidays.