Youth programs

Fall enrollment deadline: Friday, September 25, 2026

Free peer-to-peer support for kids and teens ages 6–18 impacted by their parent’s or caregiver’s cancer.

Register for Youth Programs

Program curriculum is designed by our Chief Clinical Program Officer, Kelsey Mora, a leading child therapist, Certified Child Life Specialist and an expert in supporting families through illness and grief.

Our approach is grounded in research showing that kids are more likely to thrive through their parent’s cancer when they have age-appropriate information about cancer, coping skills to process feelings in healthy ways, and connection with peers who share their lived experience.

Programs are facilitated by trained volunteers who have experience working with youth and have backgrounds in education, child development, and other related fields.

Your child can find support through a community of other kids their age who also have a parent with 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.

Connect Over Cancer

Kids and teens build relationships with peers who get them, learn about cancer in a developmentally appropriate way and build coping skills in a safe, supportive environment.

5-week session offered 4 times a year

Learn More about Connect Over Cancer

Pickles Jars

Ongoing support for: kids whose parent has complex or advanced-stage cancer, and kids who have lost a parent to cancer. Safe, welcoming groups where kids connect with the same peers every month.

Meets Monthly over the school year

Learn More about Pickles Jars

“Pickles family has played an integral role in my cancer journey and has supported [my daughter] immensely.”

— Alpana Gupta, Pickles Parent

“The effect of having kids who know what you've been through, who've experienced the exact same thing and can offer wisdom is beyond the simple impact. It has changed my life.”

— Patrick Brennan, Pickles Kid

  • 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