Since 1993, The Sharing Place has been fulfilling its mission to “provide a safe and caring environment for grieving children, teens, and their families to share their feelings while healing themselves.” This is achieved through a support group model that emphasizes acknowledging any and all feelings related to grief, connection with others experiencing grief, and channeling feelings through art, play, and discussion. All of this is conducted in a comfortable and warm renovated home in Salt Lake City.
The Sharing Place was founded when a determined young mother, Chris Chytraus, sought help for her two children after their father died. She soon discovered there was a lack of resources in the Salt Lake City area for grieving children. With the help of her children’s therapist, Nancy Reiser, The Sharing Place grief support groups were created. The Sharing Place has provided a safe haven to grieving families since 1993, providing hope not only to Chris and her children but to thousands of others their journey has touched.
Today, The Sharing Place hosts 24 age-appropriate grief support groups for children ages 3-18. Parents also meet separately in groups designed to meet their needs. Each group is led by a coordinator and a number of volunteers who have completed extensive training.
