A Message from the Executive Director
Happy Summer! While Uplift’s Family Services and In-School grief groups are on pause during the summer months, the office is still bustling with activity and I’m pleased to share with you all that we have going on. Please read below for updates on summer programming and staff activities, as well as ways you can become involved in Uplift’s vital work with Philadelphia’s grieving children, youth, and families.

I want to take a moment to thank you for your support of Uplift’s work. All that we’re able to accomplish throughout the year is possible only because of you – whether you choose to give a gift, volunteer for our programs or at events, or spread the word about Uplift and our mission. Thank you.

Find a cool spot and have a look at what’s happening at Uplift this summer!
Summer Family Nights at Uplift
With Family Services grief groups on summer break, it's important for Uplift to provide a safe connection for participants between the end of spring groups and the beginning of fall groups . For the past few years, Uplift has hosted monthly Family Nights in June, July, and August, and this summer's events have been wildly successful! Family Night activities have included musical performances, movie nights, board game tournaments, and plenty of arts and crafts. We're grateful to our Uplift families for joining us again this summer.
Year-Round Community Grief Groups
While Uplift's Family Services and In-School Grief Groups are not in session over the summer, various community grief groups are run year-round. Currently, Uplift clinicians are actively running groups for grieving youth and teens at several locations:

  • The Attic Youth Center, Philadelphia’s only organization exclusively serving LGBTQIA+ youth;
  • The Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Service Center, a DHS-placement for youth awaiting court hearings; and
  • The NET Evening Reporting Center, an alternative to out-of-home placement for justice-involved youth, ages 14-18.

These groups are a critical part of Uplift's work in creating safe spaces where youth can support one another in their grief journey.
Uplift at the 3rd Annual Philadelphia Trauma Training Conference
Uplift is fortunate to have a team of dedicated and knowledgeable clinicians, each with their own unique area of expertise in working with children experiencing grief and trauma. We're proud that a number of Uplift staff have been selected to present at the 3rd Annual Philadelphia Trauma Training Conference at Thomas Jefferson University on July 30th:

  • Meghan Szafran, MS, CT, Director of School & Community Services, and Sarah Sweda, MS, NNC, Crisis Intervention Coordinator, will present on Effective Strategies for Supporting a School Community After a Tragedy.
  • Kevin Carter, MSW, LCSW, Clinical Director, and Teresa Méndez-Quigley, MSW, Special Populations Coordinator, will present on Integrating Trauma Informed Strategies into Service Delivery.
  • CJ Roseberry, MSW, School and Community Services Clinician, will present on The Implementation of Inclusivity Practices with LGBTQIA+ Youth.
Volunteer With Uplift!
Uplift is looking for caring and compassionate volunteers to work with our Family Services children & youth and caregiver groups. This rewarding and fulfilling experience will allow you to be directly involved with the children and families Uplift serves. Visit our website to learn more, or contact Kevin Carter at [email protected]. Thank you!
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Save-the-Date for
an Uplifting Evening on November 14th
Plans are underway for Uplift's annual fall event - now known as an Uplifting evening ! Please plan to join us Thursday, November 14th at Vie on North Broad as we honor Mike Innocenzo, President & CEO of PECO. The night will be filled with delicious food, refreshing drinks, fabulous silent and live auction items, and wonderful company. Stay tuned for more details!
Year-round programming is possible because of your support.

Thank you for ensuring Uplift's work with grieving children, youth, and families happens whenever and wherever it is needed.
 
Please give today . Together, we can ensure that no child has to grieve alone. 
 
Ways you can make an impact today:
Mail a check made out to "Uplift Center for Grieving Children" to 3300 Henry Avenue, Ste. 102, Philadelphia, PA 19129.
Contact Director of Development and Communications, Heather S. Giampapa, at 267-437-3123, ext. 11 or [email protected]

AmazonSmile
AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon with the same products, prices, and shopping features as Amazon.com. The difference is that when you shop on AmazonSmile, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to the charitable organization of your choice.

Select Uplift as your AmazonSmile charity and raise money to help grieving children while you shop - at no extra cost to you! Click the link below to set up your AmazonSmile to benefit Uplift Center for Grieving Children.