AWC Grief Support

We've done our best to highlight our favourite grief and bereavement resources on our new website. Any of the resources included have been vetted by our team. And we have a page devoted to books written by therapists on our team!

Many of the families we support are looking for support on how to talk with young people about a death by su***de, so we've included a section specifically devoted to this topic on our "Resources for Parents & Caregivers Page".

https://awcgrief.com/resources-for-parents-and-caregivers.html

We often share this wonderful ECHO resource in our children's grief trainings as it captures a lot of our approach with children and youth who are grieving.

Trauma-Informed Support for Children - Echo You’ve worked through the questions in our infographic “What Lies Beneath Behavior?” and instead of judging or punishing you’ve figured out the child is just trying to do the best they can to communicate whatever pain or distress lives inside of them… “So now what do I do?” you ask. As...

Join Andrea Warnick and Colleen Mousseau in Portugal for the 3rd Annual Camp Alex Family Bereavement Retreat, October 2–5, 2026, at Paço da Glória — a beautiful historic castle in Northern Portugal.

Camp Alex is a chance for bereaved families to step away from everyday life and spend meaningful time together — connecting with one another, processing their grief, and having fun as a family.

Families often arrive at Camp Alex having been grieving alongside one another, but quietly and separately — each carrying their own experience of loss. Over the weekend, parents and children begin to turn toward each other instead.

They have conversations they may not have known how to start. They find new ways to stay connected to their person who died, while discovering that they don’t have to carry their grief alone. And there is plenty of laughter, fun, and play woven into all of this.

For families considering Camp Alex, this is also an opportunity to spend dedicated time with Andrea Warnick and Colleen Mousseau, surrounded by other bereaved families who “get it”.

There are only TWO family spots remaining.

If you know a family who may benefit from this experience, please share this post or tag them below. ❤️

You do not need to be a client of AWC Grief Support to attend. Camp Alex is open to bereaved families from anywhere in the world.

✨ Want a glimpse of the magical setting?
Take a look at Paço da Glória: https://pacodagloria.com/

For more information or to express interest participating in Camp Alex: https://forms.gle/aZANPX3951w4CedH7

We are beyond excited to host the inaugural ALS Youth Retreat! 🌲✨
Made possible through the generous support of the ALS Society of Canada this is a free weekend camp experience for Ontario youth ages 8–17 who have a parent or guardian living with ALS.

Beyond standard camp fun, our program integrates intentional therapeutic activities designed to help youth process their experiences, alongside classic campfires, games, and outdoor adventures. It’s a safe space for participants to enjoy creative activities and connect deeply with peers who truly understand the unique challenges of having a parent with a serious illness.

👉 Spots are limited. Register today or learn more at https://forms.gle/jHboF3V7BPAk5CJVA

📅 October 23–25, 2026
📍 Tim Hortons Onondaga Farms
💜 Free to attend thanks to funding from ALS Canada
Space is limited.

Please share with any families in Ontario in which a parent is living with ALS and has children between the ages of 8-17.

We're excited to partner with AWC Grief Support to help make the inaugural ALS Youth Retreat possible.

This free retreat is designed for Ontario youth ages 8–17 who have a parent or guardian living with ALS. The weekend will provide opportunities for connection, friendship, recreation, and support alongside other young people who understand life with ALS. Alongside camp adventures, participants will engage in intentional therapeutic programming designed to help them navigate their feelings, ask their questions, process their unique experience, and feel deeply understood.

📅 October 23–25, 2026
📍 Tim Hortons Onondaga Farms, Ontario

To learn more and register, visit https://bit.ly/4fSNY8N.

The weekend has us thinking about our weekend retreat with the AWC team!

We hope everyone has a safe long weekend ♥️

In grief work, we often talk about holding space for pain, but we rarely talk about the space required to sustain us while we do it.

Self-care isn’t about fixing your grief or checking off a self-improvement list. It’s about recognizing that you are human, and that holding heavy things requires replenishment.

Sometimes that means reaching out to a trusted friend.

Sometimes it means cancelling plans, stepping outside to catch your breath, or allowing yourself a moment of genuine joy or humour without feeling guilty.

This National Self-Care Day, take a moment to pause and ask yourself:

What would feel truly supportive today?

Whatever the answer is, allow yourself to receive it. 💙

We have a few spots left so it's not too late to join us (Andrea & Colleen) in Portugal this year for this years Camp Alex Family Bereavement Retreat. Visit here for more information or if you are interested in joining us: https://forms.gle/RTapjSxjMRGJnx1v8