COPE (Connecting Our Personal Experiences)
COPE links newly grieving families who have experienced the loss of a child from stillbirth (32 weeks gestation) to 18 years old with a fellow child loss family member who is at least one year out from their loss.
COPE volunteers offer support as a point person for grieving families, particularly in the early days of a loss.
COPE volunteers can meet with families in person, virtually, or over the phone and can support the newly bereaved by:
- Linking families to community resources
- Listening to families talk about their child and sharing their own experiences with loss.
- Preparing families for difficult questions and decisions they may be asked
- Provide hope for moving forward in life while also living with the pain of their loss
- Accompanying families at the hospital, funeral home, or police station (depending on location and volunteer)
- Supporting with correspondence between the family and medical professionals, police, community affiliations
- Organizing supportive needs like a Meal Train
- Speaking with friends and family members about how they can best support their loved ones
- Checking in with families on a consistent basis during the first three months (and longer if desired).
Newly Bereaved Family Referral
Newly bereaved families can be referred to be matched with a fellow loss parent for support and guidance at any time during the first year post loss.
Families eligible are those who have lost a child from stillbirth (32 weeks gestation) to 18 years old. Being matched with a COPE volunteer is free for newly bereaved parents.
COPE Volunteer
Family members who have experienced the loss of a child (including parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, adult siblings, etc.) can volunteer to be matched with a newly bereaved family in order to provide support and guidance to them.
COPE volunteers must be at least one year post loss in order to be matched with a newly bereaved family member.