Annie's Hope - The Center for Grieving Kids

Experience surrounding their support groups was good, I was in the Ice Skates group in early 2024 for what I assume was 14-16(?) Was very helpful for a grieving child, very supportive environment. 4/5 Review is tanked because of experience regarding Camp Courage: Teens. This was in June of 2024. I want to start by saying that it is a beautiful location they chose. Ignoring religious ties, the new campground location in Illinois was top tier. During the interview before I was accepted, I noted that they claim to be able to handle lower functioning individuals, and I for one, struggle with anxiety and tend to act childish at times, regressing to an isolated child-like mindset. Despite this, they reassured me that they could handle people like me, since they are based around grief and everybody grieves differently. Fast forward to camp. The bus ride to camp was amazing, I sat next to a lovely 5 year old who talked about their interests, and got along well with the adult volunteers. The issue arose when they realized that I more-so needed 1 on 1 support rather than group support. Instead of telling me this was a problem (im neurodivergent I could mask it, the only reason I was open was because they said they could handle me unmasked), They decided that on the 3rd day, they would call my mom, have her come out to Illinois from St. Louis to pick me up, without telling me a word. They never hinted that I was going home, never told me that I was taking up too much of their time, never asked me to potentially change anything. Instead, they treated me like I was inferior to them, and looked down upon me. This was DEVASTATING, especially because they all kept hyping me up for swimming in the lake which they did LESS THEN AN HOUR after I left. Now, this could have been handled in a different way. It took me awhile to muster the courage to write this review, because I was scared of putting my story out there. For backround, Like I said before, I am neurodivergent. I have autism and ADHD, and some other diagnosies that dictate how I perceive the word around me. My family is struggling financially after the loss of my father, and Ive never left Missouri. This was my first EVER camp, and to be told that I’m just not.. mature enough? It ruined me. I went through a wave of depression and grief afterwards, and it still hurts to talk and think about today, two months later !! In the future, please explain to campers what they are doing that is deemed unfit for camp, instead of throwing them out. There is a way to handle this diplomatically, and you as an organization REFUSED to do that. My mom was disappointed with you. As of right now, im not sure if I’m going back ever again or not, but I ask that if you are reading this and you work as a higher up in Annie’s Hope, that you reach out to me using my school email. Maybe we can discuss this faurther. - TL;DR; Bad experience, contradictory staff, lack of care and coordination for individuals with special needs.

I must say any hope is an awesome awesome place my grandkids experience tragedy in their life and this organization had made healing for them so awesome and I came to help with the collage I've learned a lot the staff is awesome awesome and I couldn't ask for anything more for my kids to experience with the loss of their mom is a place like Annie and he's a God sent thank you

Annie’s Hope is an amazing organization that helped my granddaughter and I through the most difficult time of our lives. My son and 20 month old granddaughter passed away within months of each other. The staff was caring and compassionate. I honestly don’t know what we would’ve done without their assistance. My granddaughter later wrote a book for grieving children as a result, “The Little Girl Who Never Lost Her Smile,” by Nasiyah Channel available on Amazon. This project was also very therapeutic for her. Again, we’re forever grateful and highly recommend their services. This is a great non-profit organization to send charitable donations and volunteer your time to as well.

Amazing place! The staff are kind and have great communication. My daughters are doing well in their group therapy and look forward to going each week. Annie's Hope is a fantastic resource for children that have suffered a loss

My daughters & I went to group grief counselling here & we really enjoyed ourselves. I was able to be vulnerable & share my brother's story...my story. The kids want to return for another session. My youngest daughter, niece & nephew are going to Camp Courage.