Growing Through Grief
Growing Through Grief Joint Announcement - 12/1/2025
We are pleased to share important news about the future of grief support, awareness and education in Minnesota schools. Effective December 1, 2025, Brighter Days Family Grief Center has acquired the Park Nicollet Growing Through Grief program, with transition efforts beginning immediately.
Brighter Days Family Grief Center is a statewide nonprofit offering no-cost, compassionate services to individuals and families facing the death or terminal diagnosis of a loved one. As a trusted partner to hospitals, hospices and communities across Minnesota, Brighter Days is known for its impactful youth programs, including Camp Erin–Minnesota, a transformative bereavement experience for children and families, and its Family Grief Support Series, which brings together parents, caregivers and children for healing and connection. The organization also provides specialized grief counseling, youth support groups, and was instrumental in establishing Children’s Grief Awareness Day in Minnesota.
For the past 28 years, Growing Through Grief has been a school-based support program offered through Park Nicollet Hospice. The program’s integration into Brighter Days ensures its continued growth and sustainability under the leadership of a statewide grief center. Brighter Days is fully committed to honoring the Park Nicollet values of excellence, partnership, compassion and integrity, with a shared belief that every grieving child and family deserves access to meaningful, consistent support.
Support for current partnerships
Nicole Barnes
Park Nicollet Program Manager
Support for future programming
Carolyn Kinzel
President, Brighter Days Family Grief Center
School-based grief support and crisis management
Growing Through Grief offers in-school support to elementary, middle and high school students coping with the death of a loved one. Because of the generous donors in our community, programming is provided to students at no charge. Grief services are available in
Growing Through Grief was established to provide grief support for children and teens, meeting them where they are in their process. More than 84% of participants said the program helped them improve their coping skills. In addition, 97% said they improved their knowledge of grief and 100% would refer a friend to the program.
Grief doesn’t have to be isolating. Growing Through Grief gives children and teens a safe space where they can share their feelings, get expert counseling and realize they’re not alone.
Growing Through Grief staff
Our team works to make grief services available throughout the Twin Cities area.
Discover the impact
Growing Through Grief is the only program of its kind in Minnesota. These services are making a difference.
If interested in purchasing Growing Through Grief books, contact Nicole Barnes at 952-234-0561 or nicole.barnes@parknicollet.com.
Katy’s story: How Growing Through Grief began
At a young age, Katy McCourtney experienced grief in a way that was unexpected. Her father died when she was a teenager, leaving her with heartache she struggled to understand. Katy didn’t have the resources to process her grief in a healthy manner, and she made unhealthy choices to try to cope with her father’s death. She died tragically at the young age of 29.
Katy’s family wanted to create a living memorial in her honor. Katy was a very giving person who loved children. It seemed fitting that her legacy could be to support grieving children and teens in one of their most formative environments: their schools. The Growing Through Grief program was developed and began supporting students in 1997.
Growing Through Grief is made possible thanks to the Park Nicollet Foundation, Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital Hospice, our participating school districts, and the generosity of Katy’s family and private donors.