Children’s Grief Program
Rainbow Kidz
Whether your child or a child you know has experienced the death of a loved one, Rainbow Kidz Children’s Grief Program is here to help you find healing and support during this difficult time. We believe children need a safe space where they feel seen, heard and supported.
Rainbow Kidz is always offered at no cost to children, their families, and local schools.
The program, exclusive to Hospice & Palliative Care of Iredell County, serves children ages 5 to 18 throughout Iredell County and surrounding counties. All services are led by our team of licensed clinical social workers.
Rainbow Kidz Mission: To help children and families cope with illness and grief by providing extraordinary care and support at home, in schools, and throughout our community.
Rainbow Kidz Services
- Weekly in-school grief support groups: Rainbow Kidz provides grief education and counseling sessions in a school group setting for students who have experienced the death of a loved one. Groups are led in the Iredell-Statesville School District, Mooresville Graded School District, and select charter and private schools in Iredell County.
- Individual Counseling: Individual grief counseling is available to any child who has experienced a death, regardless of whether Hospice & Palliative Care of Iredell County has cared for their loved one.
- Camp Rainbow: Rainbow Kidz offers two grief camp sessions for children during the summer. Camp Rainbow provides fun recreational activities and structured therapeutic opportunities to encourage sharing, to learn healthy ways to cope with grief, and to support healing.
- Summer Grief Education: During summer break, Rainbow Kidz offers grief education to participants at the Boys & Girls Club, the Statesville YMCA, and the Lowe’s YMCA. This allows us to reach children in our community who might not be served through the school grief groups.
- Parent/Caregiver Support Group: Rainbow Kidz hosts 10-week sessions to support parents/caregivers and their bereaved children. These sessions at the Brown Family Grief Center focus on providing support, connecting peers, and teaching healthy coping skills.
- Healing During the Holidays: Every November, Rainbow Kidz hosts an event to help children and teens cope with grief during the holiday season. There is also a session for parents/caregivers led by adult bereavement counselors during the event.
- Community Crisis Support: Our Rainbow Kidz team provides emergency crisis support in area schools following the death of a student or staff member.
How to Receive Support
If you're interested in receiving Rainbow Kidz services for your child(ren), please fill out our referral form or call 704-873-4719.
Volunteering with Rainbow Kidz
We love our Rainbow Kidz volunteers! Volunteers help us keep these services available to the community at no cost.
- Working Directly with Children: including Camp Rainbow, and our Healing During the Holidays Gathering
- Event & Administrative Support: including our Timmy Belcher Memorial Rainbow Kidz Run, and helping with office tasks
If you would like to apply to volunteer with Rainbow Kidz, please fill out our application.
Program Video
Camp Rainbow Video
I’m not just a widow, but a mother, carrying the weight of grief while trying to be strong for my two young daughters. Rainbow Kidz is a lifeline for families like mine. Rainbow Kidz surrounds grieving families with empathy, allowing us to rebuild our strength and begin the slow journey toward healing.
- Jessica Castronovo, Rainbow Kidz ParentWe Need Your Help!
Our Rainbow Kidz program is 100% community-funded, and we appreciate your support!
If you would like to donate, visit our donation page and select Rainbow Kidz from the dropdown menu.
The Brown Family Grief Center
The Brown Family Grief Center is the home of Hospice & Palliative Care of Iredell County’s Rainbow Kidz children’s grief program and Bridges adult grief support program.
Located at 2351 Simonton Rd, Statesville, NC 28625, the Brown Family Grief Center will provide a dedicated, welcoming environment designed specifically for hope, connection, and healing.
Services will be offered at no cost and include grief counseling, support groups, and educational programs for individuals of all ages.
Coming Summer 2026
Bridges Adult Grief Support Program
Bridges is the adult grief support program of Hospice & Palliative Care of Iredell County. Bridges offers individual and group support to adults grieving the death of a loved one. Grief is an individual experience, but you do not have to journey alone.
Bridges services are always available at no cost.
Community Feedback
“This has helped my child so much since I noticed her hurting. Such a quick response when I reached out and I appreciate it. Thank you all so very much for helping my little girl when I didn’t know how to.” -Camp Rainbow Parent
“I used to not be able to tell my brother’s story because it would bother me, but now I am able to talk about him and our family’s story. Rainbow Kidz has changed me, and I encourage more people who are struggling with a loss to come because it will really change you.” -Middle School Rainbow Kidz Participant
“We are so grateful for the services that Rainbow Kidz provides. It is a resource that we confidently can share with students who are grieving. We have seen first-hand the positive impact it has had on students here.” -High School Counselor
“My child will carry the coping skills she has learned throughout her life! She came home teaching them to me from the first day of group. Thank you for being exactly what she needed!” -Rainbow Kidz Parent
“We have a student whose father died while the student was talking to him. After Rainbow Kidz, that student can now talk about dad without crying –which is huge!!” -Elementary School Counselor