Our mission is to foster healing for grieving children and youth, their families and the community.
As the sole provider in South Texas of grief support programs for children through young adulthood, we wholeheartedly devote ourselves to addressing the grief and loss needs of children from every culture and social circumstance to help them heal and move forward. We believe that each person’s journey through grief is unique and therefore deserving of a distinctive approach to healing. Our goal is to help children and their caregivers understand the depth of their grief, stabilize and preserve family relationships, and develop healthy coping skills after the death of a loved one.
Grieving is a unique journey for everyone and every loss is different. Here, we have compiled different grief resources based on our team’s research. It is our goal that these resources serve as a guide for you and your family in your grief journey.
Click here to view our full list of free grief resources.
Notice
The Center is NOT an emergency/crisis facility. If you or someone you know is suicidal or homicidal or in any emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.
You can also call…
- The Center for Health Care Services 24-hour Crisis Hotline at 1-800-316-9241 or 210-223-7233;
- United Way by dialing 211;
- The Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, 24/7.
Schools face many challenges in the event of the sudden or anticipated death of a student or faculty member. There are a variety of responses our Center staff can provide to students, staff, and faculty. We can also provide on-site staff with the training and tools to assist impacted students.
All services are free of charge.
Monday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM |
Tuesday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM |
Wednesday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM |
Thursday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM |
Friday: 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM |
Saturday: CLOSED |
Sunday: CLOSED |
We host our grief camps four times a year for children ages 7-17 and one offering including their caregiver. These camps are designed for children who have experienced the death of a loved one. Through our grief camps, children are given the opportunity to be surrounded by peers who have similar death loss experiences.
Children and families who attend will participate in many different therapeutic activities to work toward developing healthy coping skills.
To learn more about Camp Heroes call our staff at the Center, 210-736-4847, or fill out our contact form here.
Camp Heroes is ideal for any child:
- Ages 7-11 years
- Currently enrolled in an elementary school
- Have experienced the death of a family member within the last two years
Enrollment priority is given to first-time campers.
All CBCST services are free of charge.
Our licensed professional counselors assess all new families and carefully curate a plan for the treatment of grief-related issues tailored to their unique needs. Based on the intake assessment, confidential counseling services may be provided by our professional staff of trauma-informed and grief-informed counselors.
All grief counseling services are provided in a manner consistent with State of Texas Law and regulations regarding licensed mental health providers and consistent with the licensing board’s Code of Ethics.
Click here to start the healing process.
The Center offers individual and family counseling at no cost.
Monday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM |
Tuesday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM |
Wednesday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM |
Thursday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM |
Friday: 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM |
Saturday: CLOSED |
Sunday: CLOSED |
Our grief support groups bring together youth and their caregivers with similar death loss experiences to help normalize feelings, share experiences and grieve the death of a loved one.
Families who attend groups are invited to participate in various therapeutic activities with peers to help process their grief.
Click here to start the healing process.
Our peer support groups are offered at no cost for children and their families.
Monday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM |
Tuesday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM |
Wednesday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM |
Thursday: 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM |
Friday: 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM |
Saturday: CLOSED |
Sunday: CLOSED |
This program allows us to bring our peer support group work on campus during the school day, which gives students direct access to our services. It also helps them focus on their academics and understand the importance of their mental health.
The program also provides training opportunities for educators, school counselors, school social workers, and caregivers supporting grieving students.
For more information about training opportunities or our School-Based services, please reach out to our program team using our online form.
This program is currently available in these school districts:
- South San Antonio ISD
- Harlandale ISD
- San Antonio ISD
- Northside ISD
- Judson ISD
Students who cannot be served within their school districts are encouraged to reach out to the Center’s main office to explore our grief support services.
All CBCST programs are free of charge.
by Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas (CBCST)
Volunteers are critical to the mission of Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas. There are a number of ways to give your time to the Center:
Potluck Partner: Sign up to sponsor and serve dinner to a support group. Please limit your group to no more than 10 individuals. Also, due to the type of project and limited capacity, we ask that you do not bring children under the age of 6. Click here for the calendar of available times.
Support Group Greeter: Apply to greet families when they visit for support groups. Click here to get started.
Grief Support Group Facilitator: Apply to become a trained facilitator, responsible for guiding peer support groups. Click here to get started.
Donate: Your financial gift means we can bring comfort and healing to more children. Click here to donate, or click here to learn how you can host a fundraiser.
Wishlist: There are many materials and supplies we require to help children and their families journey through their personal grief experiences. Click here to see our Amazon Wishlist.
Friends of the Center: This is a membership-based alliance of caring individuals committed to: increasing awareness, providing joyful activities and events, and supporting the charitable and educational mission. By joining you will become a part of a core group whose volunteer efforts benefit children, teens, and families facing unimaginable loss. Join Friends here today. For more information please contact Julia Anderson, Special Events Manager & Friends Liasion, at (210) 736-4847, ext. 224.
Legacy giving: Click here to find out how you can include CBCST in your estate plan.
Monday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM |
Tuesday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM |
Wednesday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM |
Thursday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM |
Friday: 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM |
Saturday: CLOSED |
Sunday: CLOSED |
Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas is now open in Uvalde.
Our staff is ready to serve children in the community struggling to cope with residual trauma and grief. At our Center for Comfort and Consults, families are invited to relax, decompress, and connect with our staff. This safe space allows families the opportunity to determine when they are ready to start services.
Grief support services offered include grief counseling, grief camps, and support groups for children and adults.
All services are provided at no cost to families.
Monday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
Tuesday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
Thursday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
Friday: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM |
Saturday: CLOSED |
Sunday: CLOSED |