Youth Program

Support for the Whole Family

Gilda’s Club is here to support youth of all ages on a cancer or grief journey. Our Youth Program has a wide range of opportunities specifically designed for kids and teens impacted by grief or cancer, whether they are living with cancer themselves, know someone living with cancer or know someone who died due to any cause. We utilize age-appropriate support and educational activities to meet youth where they are. Our Support Groups are facilitated by masters level professionals and include:

Ongoing Youth Support Programs

• Children’s Grief New Member Meeting   Please call to join one of these informational meetings to learn more about the Children’s Grief Program. This is for children who have experienced the death of a family member or friend due to any type of death.
• Family Cancer Support New Member Meeting   Please call to join one of these informational meetings to learn more about the Children’s Cancer Program. This is for children who are impacted by any type of cancer (whether their own diagnosis or that of someone in their life).

• Noogieland   Noogieland offers fun activities including arts and crafts, drama, games and more for youth in kindergarten and younger. Supervised by a professional staff with the help of many dedicated volunteers, Noogieland provides a safe environment for kids to share their feelings and build support. Noogieland is scheduled at the same time as many of Gilda’s Club’s activities for adults, including support groups, lectures and workshops, so that support is available for the whole family.
  • • Currently offered in-person on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 6-7 p.m. in our Grand Rapids Clubhouse

• Kids Support Weekly support groups for youth in first through fifth grade impacted by cancer (whether their own diagnosis or that of someone in their life) or who have experienced the death of someone in their life due to any cause. These support groups incorporate age specific curriculum-based activities and discussion..
• • • Kids Grief Support is currently offered in-person on Wednesdays, 6-7 p.m. in our Grand Rapids Clubhouse
    • Kids Cancer Support is currently offered in-person on Thursdays, 6-7 p.m. in our Grand Rapids Clubhouse

• Teen & Tween Support   Weekly support groups for youth grades six through 12 impacted by cancer (whether their own diagnosis or that of someone in their life) or who have experienced the death of someone in their life due to any cause. These support groups incorporate age specific curriculum-based activities and discussion.
  • • Teen & Tween Grief Support is currently offered in-person on Wednesdays, 6-7 p.m. in our Grand Rapids Clubhouse
    • Teen & Tween Cancer Support is currently offered in-person on Thursdays, 6-7 p.m. in our Grand Rapids Clubhouse

• School Partnership Programs .
  • • Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids offers cancer and grief emotional health support and educational programs in schools throughout West Michigan for students of all ages, parents and education professionals. If you are interested in learning more about getting support started in your district, please contact Lindsay Jousma, Director of Program Operations at [email protected] or 616.453.8300, ext. 125.

To raise awareness for our support community each year and welcome the community through our red doors, we host numerous events that celebrate our members, educate the community, showcase the unique support services we provide. One of the ways we do this is through community events for youth:

Halloween NoogieFest

Camp Sparkle