Our national crisis hotline is manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so that families have a listening ear and know they are not alone. Through an extensive information and referral network, we are able to connect families with the people, resources and services they need to get them through the bleak days, months and years following the death of their baby. We have learned from families that being able to connect one-on-one with other parents who have experienced a similar loss is very important to the healing process.

Peer support helps families learn how others have coped and survived and see first-hand that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. In an effort to strengthen the widespread availability of compassionate grief support, First Candle also conducts bereavement trainings for professionals, clergy and those in the trenches working closely with grieving families.

First Candle’s Program Support Center (PSC) and the National Center for Cultural Competence (NCCC) will be rolling out the Faith-Based Bereavement Support Initiative Tool Kit this year. First Candle will be providing an evaluation of the project. The initiative is intended to respond to the needs of  bereaved families within their faith community. First Candle continues to partner with government, business and community service groups to
extend the reach of our messages.