Community Education
Our Community Education programs facilitate constructive conversations in the community about serious illness, caregiving challenges, end-of-life and grief.
CaringMatters strives to develop community knowledge and skills around serious illness, caregiving challenges, end-of-life and grief-related topics that can be applied to daily life. Our meaningful educational events and discussions help build a caring and compassionate community.
For information on Community Education, please contact
Leigh Bluestein, leighb@caringmatters.org or 301-990-7927
Upcoming Webinars
The Grief Gap: Supporting Black Children and Teens Through Loss
Thursday, October 8th at 10:00am ET
Presenter: Dr. Brianne Overton, Ph.D., FT, LPC-S, NCC
Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Educator, Thanatologist
Black children and adolescents often experience repeated exposure to death, violence, systemic inequities, and other significant losses, yet their grief frequently goes unrecognized or unsupported in school settings. In some Black communities, chronic exposure to loss can lead to grief becoming normalized, making it harder for children and teens to express or process their emotions.
This culturally responsive webinar explores the grief gap—the disconnect between the grief Black youth experience and the support they receive. Participants will gain insight into culturally informed grief responses and leave with practical strategies to recognize hidden grief, respond with cultural humility, and better support Black children and teens as they heal.
Who Should Attend?
This webinar is designed for counselors, social workers, educators, school-based professionals, mental health professionals, grief counselors, nonprofit and community-based practitioners, and others who support Black children and teens experiencing grief and loss. It will be especially valuable for professionals seeking culturally responsive approaches to recognizing and supporting grief in the children and adolescents they serve.
About Dr. Brianne Overton
Brianne L. Overton FT, LPC-S, NCC is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the states of Illinois and Missouri. She received her MA in Thanatology from Hood College, her M.Ed in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from University of Missouri – St. Louis, and is a doctoral candidate in Counseling at the University of Missouri – St. Louis. Her current research explores the grief gap and its impact on BIPOC; young adults navigating terminal illness and change to their life trajectory; and supporting bereaved family members after loss by death. Dr. Overton has worked for non-profit agencies supporting grieving youth and families who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling or primary caregiver and provides resources and advocacy so all grieving children can live a life rich with possibility.
Dr. Overton is the Chief Clinical Officer of Experience Camps, a national nonprofit that provides no-fee, clinically informed programs for kids who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling or primary caregiver – as well as resources and advocacy so all grieving children can live a life rich with possibility. In addition to educating and supervising master’s level clinicians, she has spent 17 years in the field of thanatology providing grief education, support, counseling, death education, suicide prevention and intervention, and consultation.
Spiritual Resilience During Life’s Tough Times
Wednesday, January 27, 2027, 11:00 am ET
Speaker: Rabbi Amy Pessah
When we have experienced the death of a loved one, many questions arise about meaning, faith, and hope. This webinar explores spiritual resilience and how we can find strength even when answers are elusive. Based on her new book, The Wholeness of a Broken Heart: Pathways to Resilience and Renewal (available for preorder: to be published on October 13, 2026) on Amazon, Rabbi Amy Pessah will present a webinar, sharing practices to support spiritual well-being and helping us to find meaning and connection during difficult times. Time will be allotted for Q&A and open discussion.
Who Should Attend?
This webinar is appropriate for:
-
Individuals grieving the death of a loved one
-
Family members, caregivers, and others supporting someone who is grieving
-
Professionals who work with grieving individuals and families, including counselors, social workers, healthcare professionals, educators, and clergy
-
Anyone interested in exploring spirituality, meaning, hope, and resilience in the face of loss
About Rabbi Amy Grossblatt Pessah
Rabbi Amy Grossblatt Pessah is a spiritual leader, educator, and author specializing in resilience, renewal, and sacred living. She blends Jewish wisdom with modern life experiences to help individuals find meaning, healing, and growth. Amy is the author of Parenting on a Prayer and a sought-after speaker on spirituality, parenting, and emotional well-being.
