Youth programs

Youth programs

Pickles Group offers FREE peer-to-peer support for kids and teens impacted by their parent’s or caregiver’s cancer.

Our youth programs are designed by our Chief Clinical Program Officer, Kelsey Mora, LCPC, CCLS, a leading child therapist and Child Life Specialist and an expert in supporting families through illness and grief. Pickles Group programs are facilitated by trained volunteers who have experience working with youth and backgrounds in education, child development, and other related fields. Our approach is grounded in behavioral science and research that shows that kids are more likely to thrive through their parent’s cancer when they have access to three things:

💚 Open, age-appropriate information about cancer
💚 Coping skills to help them identify and process their feelings in healthy ways
💚 Connection with peers who share their lived experience

Fall enrollment deadline: Friday, September 5, 2025

Your child can find support through a community of other kids their age who share their lived experience of a parent with cancer.

Connect over cancer
5-week session | virtual

Connect Over Cancer is a proven activity-based peer support model. Kids and teens build relationships with peers who get them in a safe, supportive, fun environment online. They also learn about cancer in a developmentally appropriate way, an experience that’s proven to decrease stress, anxiety, and worry for kids whose parents have cancer.

Please note: We recommend families navigating a parent or guardian’s cancer start finding support with our 5-week virtual Connect Over Cancer program.

Pickles jars
Monthly meetings | virtual

Pickles Jars are safe, welcoming, consistent small groups where kids and teens can connect online with the same group of kids who get it every month. Kids and teens need a space to hold their feelings and emotions and, just like a glass jar supports what is inside it, so does a Pickles Jar group.

We offer 2 types of Pickles Jars:
1. Kids with a parent facing ongoing, complex or advanced-stage cancer

2. Kids who have lost a parent to cancer

Fall Enrollment Deadline: Friday, September 5, 2025

Pickles Kids & Parents Say…

"[What I liked most about Pickles was] the ability to be open about the fact that my mom has cancer, and not having to worry about being made fun of."

— Pickles Kid, age 16

“This was really helpful for [my daughter], we really appreciate it. And two days before the last session we learned her dad's cancer has mutated which is a new battle we feel she is better armed to weather.”

— Pickles Parent

Pickles gave her a place where she wasn’t the “kid whose mom has cancer.” At Pickles she finally felt someone understood even though her friends had tried their best.

— Pickles Parent

“I learned that I am not alone. Friends are with me in this situation. We are together!!”

— Pickles Kid, age 6

  • If you are new to Pickles Group, we recommend families navigating a parent or guardian’s cancer start finding support with our 5-week virtual Connect Over Cancer program.

    If your child lost their parent or guardian to cancer, we invite your child to join our Pickles Jars program.

    We are happy to talk to you about which program is right for your family. Please email Cam Dews, Pickles Group Program Director, at cameryn@picklesgroup.org.

  • Connect Over Cancer and Pickles Jars meetings are conducted virtually via Zoom.

  • 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. They use a curriculum developed by Pickles Group Chief Clinical Officer, Kelsey Mora, CCLS, LCPC.

  • Each group varies - but there usually around 18-20 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.

  • The groups are closed - meaning that the same, small, consistent group of Youth Facilitators and participants are at every meeting.

FAQ’s