Pickles Jars

Free virtual program for kids and teens whose parent has ongoing, complex or advanced cancer, or who have lost a parent to cancer.

Pickles Jars are welcoming, consistent small groups where kids impacted by a parent’s cancer can connect with the same group of peers each month over the school year.

Just like a glass pickle jar holds and protects what’s inside, Pickles Jars are a place to hold everything that comes with cancer: the hard moments, the questions and the changes.

Program curriculum is designed by Kelsey Mora, our Chief Clinical Officer, an expert in supporting kids and families through illness and grief.

Register for Pickles Jars

We ask you make a year-long commitment to attend Pickles Jars to help create a sense of belonging and stability. We recommend families navigating a parent or guardian’s cancer start finding support with our 5-week virtual Connect Over Cancer program. If our monthly Pickles Jars program works best for your family, it is available and open to all kids and teens.

Enrollment Deadline: December 18

Two Types of Jars

For kids whose parent has complex or advanced-stage cancer

For kids who have lost a parent to cancer

As part of a Pickles Jars group, your child will:

  • Meet with the same age group of kids every month

  • Connect with Pickles Peer Leaders who get it and want to pay it forward

  • Build ongoing peer relationships through discussion, play, art and activities

  • Develop and practice coping skills

For kids ages 6–18, with participants grouped by age, grade & ability

Groups meet monthly on Sundays from October through June

Enrollment is open during two designated periods each year

When Turo Fernandez was 11, his mom, Kiyona, was diagnosed with Stage II breast cancer. After learning about Pickles Group from Kiyona’s cancer coach at The Chrysalis Initiative, Turo joined our Connect Over Cancer summer session and found a welcoming community he didn’t want to leave. He went on to join the pilot of Pickles Jars.

His dad, Arturo, shared: “Pickles Group has given our son the ability and courage to come out of his shell and become more open to discussing difficult topics that cancer brings to the forefront. Pickles Group has been a breath of fresh air in a time when it has felt as though it's hard to breathe.”

2026-2027 Meeting Dates

2-3pm ET | 1-2pm CT | 12-1pm MT | 11-12pm PT

October 18
November 15
December 20
January 17
February 21
March 21
April 18
May 16
June 13 (2nd Sunday)

Group Facilitation

All groups are led by skilled Youth Facilitators who have backgrounds in Child Life, Social Work, and Nursing. They use a curriculum designed by our Chief Clinical Program Officer, Kelsey Mora, an expert in supporting families through illness and grief.

Registration Tips

New Pickles Families

Please complete the Youth Enrollment Form and select Connect Over Cancer to receive program information and supplies.

Returning Pickles Families

Please email contact@picklesgroup.org to receive a separate registration link.

  • Pickles Jars meets every 3rd Sunday of the month

    2-3pm ET | 1-2pm CT | 12-1pm MT | 11-12pm PT

    2026-2027 School Year dates are
    October 18
    November 15
    December 20
    January 17
    February 21
    March 21
    April 18
    May 16
    June 13 (2nd Sunday)

  • The meetings are conducted virtually via Zoom.

  • We group kids by age to help them connect with peers at a similar developmental stage. Groups generally include younger elementary, older elementary/middle school, and high school students.

  • There are 9 meetings total, for each Pickles Jars cohort. Youth should plan to attend every month to experience the full benefit of the program.

  • All Pickles Group programs are open to children ages 6-18 or in 1st-12th grade.

  • Meetings are facilitated by our skilled volunteer Youth Facilitators who have backgrounds in child development, education, Child Life, social work, and other youth-focused areas. Facilitators are trained and supervised throughout the program. They use a curriculum developed by Pickles Group Chief Clinical Officer, Kelsey Mora, CCLS, LCPC.

  • Each group varies - but there usually around 10-15 youth in one group at a given time.

  • All Pickles Group programs are 100% free! 

  • Before the session, help your child get set up in a quiet, private, and comfortable space. For younger kids, we recommend an adult stay for the first 5–10 minutes to assist with tech and ensure they're settled. Kids often feel most at ease sharing when they have space away from their parent or guardian. Parents receive prompts to support continued connection and conversation at home.

  • Pickles Jars is a closed program with a consistent group of kids and facilitators who meet regularly throughout the program year. Enrollment is open during two designated periods each year, allowing new participants to join at those times. Outside of these enrollment periods, the program remains closed to new participants so kids can build connections and grow together as a group.

If you have additional questions about our programs, we are happy to talk to your family. Please email Cam Dews, Pickles Group Program Director, at cameryn@picklesgroup.org.