About
The founder Sandra Elder, Ph.D., was a respected academic researcher in the field of grief and loss in addition to being a hospice practitioner. She saw the need for accessible supportive programs for youth experiencing loss and in 1988, designed a group program for young people, sowing the seeds for the creation of Friends of Living and Learning Through Loss (LTL) which officially became a registered Canadian charity in 1994. Since then, Learning Through Loss have become the community experts at supporting youth through grief and teaching others about the reality and impact of grief and bereavement in youth.
Through our group programs, workshops and counselling services, we reach over 5 thousand youth each year providing specialized support and education to youth in need. Our Learning Through Loss group program’s success is built on the strength of youth peer support, belonging, and learning how to navigate grief and loss guided by a qualified registered clinical counsellor. Learning Through Loss also offers short-term grief counselling support to youth who can benefit from more targeted, individual support.
Educational workshops are provided to youth in schools, colleges and community organizations to enhance community awareness and knowledge about the grief process. Our community education and professional development workshops are available to all in the community including those working directly with youth, to family members and loved ones who want to learn how to better support youth through grief and loss.
Grief, when it comes, is nothing like we expect it to be.
​
Joan Didion
Our Mission
Learning Through Loss (LTL) designs and delivers grief and loss education and support programs to youth and provides professional development and training to other youth-serving organizations to increase capacity and well being through grief, loss and bereavement.
Our Vision
We envision a community where all youth, and those that support them, have access to education, support, and resources relating to grief, loss and healthy strategies for healing.
Our Values
Hope
Providing hope to youth, their families, and community members who are
experiencing grief and loss.
Healing Education
Providing professional resources to youth, their families, and community members to live,
learn, and heal through their losses.
Community
Working collaboratively with our community partners to support youth experiencing
grief and loss.
Ethical
Serving youth, their families, and community members with integrity, professionalism,
accountability and excellence.
Support a grieving youth.