The Dougy Center Model

Book excerpt: In 1968, Dougy Turno was born in Aiken, South Carolina. In his brief 13 years of life, Dougy Turno would inspire a new model of care, The Dougy Center Model, which would serve thousands of children, teens, young adults, and parents throughout the world. Diagnosed and living with an advanced serious illness, Dougy's bravery and compassion for children and teens who were also living with advanced serious illnesses initiated the first peer grief support program for children and their families grieving a death. Dougy Center, respectfully and affectionately named after Dougy Turno, offered its first group in 1982 to 4 children at our founder's home. Since that first group on December 29, 1982, to the present day, we have used The Dougy Center Model to provide support in a safe place for thousands of children, teens, young adults, and their families who are grieving. This book explains Dougy Center's history and the model that has been used to build and grow more than 500 programs throughout North America and into other continents as well.