13 ORGS · 236 ACTIVITIES ← all strategies ·
theory of action →

Companioning Through Shared Experience

By engaging peers or trained companions who have experienced similar loss to provide empathetic presence and support, individuals process grief more effectively, because shared lived experience fosters trust, reduces isolation, and validates the emotional reality of mourning. This strategy centers on the belief that healing in grief is not about fixing or intervening, but about being seen and understood by someone who has "walked the path." It distinguishes itself from clinical or directive models by prioritizing presence, mutual empathy, and emotional validation over therapeutic techniques, positioning lived experience as a core qualification for support. While other approaches may emphasize education or symptom management, this model treats connection itself as the catalyst for integration and resilience.

13
orgs running it
236
activities of those orgs
12
clusters touched
who runs it

organizations running this strategy · 13

what it looks like in practice

activities of orgs running this strategy

A sample of programmatic activities from the orgs above. These are what the strategy looks like on the ground.

  • Commemorative Events for Homicide Victims Homicide Survivors Inc
    direct service
    Hosts annual memorial events and survivor picnics to commemorate the National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims, honoring loved ones lost to violence, which often include food, drinks, and craft activities. Also organizes an annual National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Candlelight Vigil.
  • Conducts outreach and community engagement Homicide Survivors Inc
    direct service
    Engages with survivors and raises awareness through social media outreach and direct case outreach, including follow-up on 107 homicide cases and connecting with over 1,500 survivors online.
  • Facilitates support groups for homicide survivors Homicide Survivors Inc
    direct service
    Provides traditional support groups for adult survivors of homicide, including family and friends who have lost a loved one to murder, unsolved cases, or incidents involving drunk/drugged driving crashes, offering a judgment-free space to share and process grief.
  • Financial Assistance for Survivors Homicide Survivors Inc
    direct service
    Provides direct financial assistance for emergency expenses including rent, utilities, and travel costs for court attendance for survivors of homicide.
  • Offers therapeutic and healing workshops Homicide Survivors Inc
    direct service
    Hosts Hope and Healing Workshops and equine therapy sessions for survivors of homicide to support emotional recovery and well-being.
  • Organizes memorial and remembrance events Homicide Survivors Inc
    direct service
    Hosts annual events including the National Day of Remembrance survivor picnics, candlelight vigils during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, and photo workshops honoring lives lost to violence, featuring food, drinks, craft activities, and creative expression opportunities.
  • Provides financial assistance and victim advocacy Homicide Survivors Inc
    direct service
    Offers direct financial aid for emergency expenses such as rent, utilities, and travel for court attendance, alongside comprehensive victim advocacy services.
  • Public Awareness and Information Sharing Homicide Survivors Inc
    direct service
    Manages social media outreach to raise awareness about services and connect with the community, shares stories from survivors that include requests for public information to help solve their loved ones' cases, and hosted a photo session and workshop to honor lives lost to firearms as part of National Gun Violence Awareness Day.
  • Support Groups for Homicide Survivors Homicide Survivors Inc
    direct service
    Provides traditional support groups for adult survivors of homicide to share and process emotions in a judgment-free environment, including groups for family and friends who have lost a loved one to murder, such as cases involving drunk/drugged driving crashes and unsolved homicides.
  • Supports creative expression and storytelling by survivors Homicide Survivors Inc
    direct service
    Provides platforms for survivors to share their grief journeys through poetry, short stories, art, and public storytelling, including sharing cases to solicit public information for unsolved homicides.
  • Therapeutic Workshops and Activities Homicide Survivors Inc
    direct service
    Offers Hope and Healing Workshops and equine therapy for survivors of homicide, and provides a platform for survivors to share their grief journey through creative expressions like poetry, short stories, or art.
  • Victim Advocacy and Outreach Homicide Survivors Inc
    direct service
    Provides comprehensive victim advocacy, conducts outreach to survivors of homicides (e.g., 107 homicides), and engages with survivors through online support groups and events (e.g., over 1500 survivors).
  • Child and Youth Mental Health Services WOMENS HEALTH INNOVATIONS OF ARIZONA
    direct service
    Provides mental health services for children and youth from birth through adolescence, including early childhood wellness services (play therapy, art therapy), counseling for school-aged children (anxiety, depression, ADHD), and therapy for pre-teens and teenagers (identity, self-esteem, emotional regulation). This also includes trauma-informed therapy for children.
  • Child and Youth Mental Health Services WOMENS HEALTH INNOVATIONS OF ARIZONA
    direct service
    Provides mental health services for children and youth from birth through adolescence, including early childhood wellness services (play therapy, art therapy), counseling for school-aged children (anxiety, depression, ADHD), and therapy for pre-teens and teenagers (identity, self-esteem, emotional regulation), with a focus on trauma-informed care.
  • Child and Youth Mental Health Services WOMENS HEALTH INNOVATIONS OF ARIZONA
    direct service
    Provides mental health services for children and youth from birth through adolescence, including early childhood wellness services (play therapy, art therapy), counseling for school-aged children (anxiety, depression, ADHD), therapy for pre-teens and teenagers (identity, self-esteem), and trauma-informed therapy for children.
  • Child and Youth Mental Health Services WOMENS HEALTH INNOVATIONS OF ARIZONA
    direct service
    Provides mental health services for children and youth from birth through adolescence, including early childhood wellness services and counseling for school-aged children addressing various challenges.
  • Counseling for Women's Life Transitions WOMENS HEALTH INNOVATIONS OF ARIZONA
    direct service
    Offers support for women navigating various life transitions such as perimenopause, menopause, divorce, career changes, empty nesting, or caregiving for aging parents.
  • Family and Parenting Support WOMENS HEALTH INNOVATIONS OF ARIZONA
    direct service
    Offers specialized counseling for men, couples, and families to strengthen relationships, address fatherhood-related challenges, provide strategies for parenting stress and burnout, and enhance family communication through parent coaching.