Our House NYC Expands Grief Support Groups Amid Rising Demand

Our House NYC, a nonprofit grief support center based in Brooklyn, is expanding its operations to meet a surge in demand. The organization maintains a growing waiting list of New Yorkers seeking assistance, prompting a push to recruit more volunteers and broaden its reach. Georgia Lavey, the Clinical Program Director, stated that the challenge now is to expand quickly enough to reach those in need while keeping services accessible and affordable.

The center operates on a peer support model rather than traditional clinical therapy. Participants are placed in closed groups based on age and their specific relationship to the deceased. This structure allows individuals to build trust over time with people who share similar experiences. Lavey noted that coping with the death of a spouse while raising children is different from losing a parent or a young child, so the groupings ensure participants can relate to both the grief and the changing daily realities.

Demand for these services has exceeded initial expectations. While participants contribute to the cost of group sessions on a sliding scale, the center does not turn away anyone who is unable to pay. This policy aims to make grief support available to a wider demographic. The organization relies on volunteers to co-lead groups, with clinical staff providing all necessary training and curriculum. Volunteers do not need previous professional experience in grief counseling to participate in the program.

Our House NYC also brings its services directly into New York City schools. The organization works with educators and school communities to support students who have lost a parent or sibling. Lavey explained that a child whose parent died may feel different from peers at school. Meeting other children at a similar age who have experienced the same loss can help reduce those feelings of isolation. This school-based outreach is a key component of the center’s effort to make grief less lonely for younger New Yorkers.

New York City data indicates that approximately 400,000 residents experience the death of someone close to them each year. Furthermore, about one in 13 children in the city will lose a parent or sibling before turning 18. This number doubles by the age of 25. Lavey, a psychotherapist and social worker, noted that while friends and family often provide initial support through meals and check-ins, this assistance typically slows down over time. This leaves the grieving person to manage their loss while others return to their routines.

Research cited by the organization shows that grieving people benefit from peer support. Sharing experiences with others who are currently living through similar situations helps reduce isolation and provides emotional validation. The groups offer a judgment-free environment where participants can speak openly about the various dimensions of their grief. There is no expectation within these groups for members to simply move on or follow a specific timeline for healing.

Grief is classified as a natural response to the death of someone close, rather than a mental illness. While some individuals benefit from clinical treatment for accompanying depression, anxiety, or trauma, others primarily need connection and understanding. Lavey encourages conversations about grief in schools, workplaces, and houses of worship. The goal is to create a community where people can hear the words, “I understand. I’ve been there, too,” instead of advice on how to move forward.

The center serves children, teens, adults, and families throughout New York City. The expansion efforts focus on recruiting volunteers who can co-lead these peer groups. Clinical staff continue to guide, train, and support these volunteers to maintain the quality of the program. As the waiting list grows, the organization emphasizes the importance of making these connections available to all Brooklynites, regardless of their financial status.