LAHC's Healing Hearts Program:
Where Grief Meets Compassion and Connection
Recreational & Therapeutic Programs for Grief & Loss
Serving Children, Teens, and College-Aged Youth through multiple evidence-based interventions
Grief impacts young people in many ways—emotionally, socially, behaviorally, and academically. After losing a parent, caregiver, sibling, friend, classmate, or loved one, youth often need support beyond what families, teachers, or peers can offer alone.
LAHC’s Healing Hearts provides a compassionate, therapeutic environment where children, teens, and college-aged young adults can express emotions, build resilience, and begin the healing process—together, not in isolation. Through evidence-based recreational therapy, participants engage in meaningful activities that help them cope, connect, and rediscover hope after loss.
Program Approach
Healing Hearts blends supportive group facilitation, psychoeducation, and recreational therapy to create an accessible, developmentally appropriate healing environment. Groups are led by social workers and behavioral health staff trained in grief support, trauma-responsive care, and youth development.
Participants will:
Feel Supported by caring, credentialed facilitators and peers who understand
Explore Emotions Safely through guided activities
Learn Healthy Coping Skills for grief and stress
Build Connection & Belonging with others who have experienced similar loss
Strengthen Emotional Wellness step-by-step
How Our Therapeutic Methods Support Healing
- Creative Expression (art, music, writing, memory projects)
- Movement & Play-Based Coping (light activity, cooperative games, nature-based activities)
- Emotional Skills & Psychoeducation (grief education, coping tools, emotional labeling)
- Mindfulness & Grounding (breathing, sensory grounding, meditation)
- Group Connection & Peer Support (dialogue, team-building, guided reflection)
Group Format & Scheduling
Healing Hearts is offered as weekly group sessions delivered in structured series:
8–12 week program cycles
Offered throughout the year
Open enrollment until each group reaches capacity
Youth may join at the start of a new cycle or mid-cycle depending on site availability
All groups are facilitated by trained social workers, behavioral health staff, and recreational therapy specialists using trauma-responsive, developmentally appropriate approaches.
Our multidisciplinary model ensures youth receive compassionate, holistic support that meets a range of emotional, social, and developmental needs.
Who We Serve
Children
Middle and high school students
College-aged young adults
Youth grieving family members, caregivers, friends, or classmates
No young person should have to navigate grief alone. Healing Hearts offers a safe, supportive space to move forward—emotionally, socially, and personally.
Referral & Enrollment Options
Healing Hearts provides group-based grief support in multiple settings:
– Onsite at LAHC
– In schools (K–12 and college campuses)
– Faith-based organizations
– Community and youth-serving agencies
– FQHCs and healthcare partners
We work closely with school teams, counselors, social workers, caseworkers, and families to ensure smooth referrals and successful participation.
How to Refer
Parents, caregivers, educators, counselors, and community partners may refer youth by contacting the LAHC Behavioral Health Team.
Referral steps, scheduling, and intake paperwork are provided upon request.
Contact & Program Coordination
Marci Mahfouz
Director, Behavioral Health & Workforce Development
LAHC – Leaders Advancing & Helping Communities
📞 313-846-8480 Ext. 104
✉️ [email protected]
Healing happens in connection. With Healing Hearts, no young person grieves alone.