our evidence-based model helps kids thrive
Are you navigating a cancer diagnosis while caring for school-aged kids? We’re here for you.
At Pickles Group, we know that having a parent or caregiver with cancer can be a lonely, isolating experience. That's why our mission is to provide Pickles Group’s mission is to provide free peer-to-peer support and resources for kids and teens impacted by their parent or guardian’s cancer. Pickles kids strengthen resilience, have fun with friends who get them, and heal along the way.
How Do We Do It?
Our youth programs are designed by our Chief Clinical Program Officer, a leading child therapist and Child Life Specialist. Pickles Group programs are facilitated by trained volunteers who have experience working with youth and backgrounds in education, child development, and other related fields. Our approach is grounded in behavioral science and research that shows that kids are more likely to thrive through their parent’s cancer when they have access to three things:
Open, age-appropriate information about cancer
Coping skills to help them identify and process their feelings in healthy ways
Connection with peers who share their lived experience
Does the Program Work?
See what kids and parents are saying about our program’s positive impact on their lives.
Who Do We Serve?
We serve school-aged kids and teens enrolled in 1st through 12th grade, generally between the ages of 6-18.
How Do I Sign Up?
Complete our Youth Enrollment Form, refer a family, or contact us for more information.
Chicago in-person Quarterly Events
Youth in 1st-12th grade affected by a parent’s cancer build relationships with friends who get them in a safe, supportive, fun environment. New and existing Pickles Group youth are welcome. Visit our Program Calendar to register your child for an upcoming event near you.
national Virtual Youth Program
Pickles Group’s successful activity-based peer group model for kids affected by a parent’s cancer is offered nationally through our National Virtual ‘Connect Over Cancer’ Program. Youth build relationships with friends who get them in a safe, supportive, fun environment online. Example meeting topics include learning about cancer and identifying and expressing feelings in healthy ways. Learn more and register your child for our next virtual cohort here.
free Pickles family Support Kits, parent Webinars, and resources
We also help kids affected by a parent’s cancer or guardian’s cancer by providing free evidence-based resources. We currently offer free Pickles Family Support Kits, a booklet that helps parents and caregivers have open, age-appropriate conversations with their kids and teens about cancer, and help reinforce Pickles learning, coping skills, and connections at home. Pickles Support Kits include a how-to guide and age-appropriate terms for diagnosed parents to help talk about cancer with their kids; a family resource library; and an interactive family Pickles activity. Support Kits are available to families and community partners across the U.S.. Families, friends, hospitals, schools, faith-based organizations, and others can request a virtual or hard copy support kit here.
We share tips and resources for families free through Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, our monthly emails, and our online Resource Library.
We also host live parent webinars to support families navigating cancer. All webinars are listed on our Program Calendar.
Looking for a resource we don’t provide yet? Let us know.
FAQs
Who does Pickles serve?
We serve school-aged children and teens in 1st through 12th grade who are affected by a parent or caregiver’s cancer. We enroll new families with a parent or caregiver who is in active treatment or requiring close monitoring for disease progression with cancer. We provide continued support to our enrolled families through recovery, remission, and bereavement, through ongoing program access and partner referrals.
Who can volunteer?
Pickles Group’s youth programs are facilitated by volunteers with a background in education, child development, youth services or a related field and at least one year of prior experience working directly with children or teens. Our youth program volunteers facilitate both in-person and virtual programs. Youth program volunteers must be 21 years or older. Accepted volunteers are trained by Pickles staff and supported along the way. Want to volunteer directly with our youth? Complete our volunteer interest form. If you’re looking for other ways to get involved as a volunteer by supporting our fundraising, community outreach, or program coordination teams, complete the form and we’ll be in touch.
Where and when does the program take place?
Our virtual programs take place on Sundays. Our in-person quarterly events are offered on Sundays in the North Shore suburbs of Chicago. Our virtual and on-demand supports and resources are available to families regardless of physical location.
What do I tell my kids about the program?
At Pickles Group you will be with other kids and teenagers who have similar experiences of having a parent or caregiver affected by cancer. During the meeting you will play games, do art activities, and have discussions that help you learn, share, connect with other kids, and most importantly - feel supported while having fun!
What’s the cancer experience of the other kids?
Youth in our program face parents with a range of cancer diagnoses and outcomes. Currently we enroll kids during diagnosis and treatment, but children who lose a parent or whose parent enters remission are welcome and encouraged to continue with our program as long as it continues to fit their needs. The Connect Over Cancer Curriculum is specific for those facing illness.
What’s it like meeting kids whose parents have different kinds of cancer and health outcomes?
Pickles Group acknowledges that every cancer experience is different. While most parents get better, we know that some do not. We are here for all of the highs and lows (the sweets and sours). We find that kids do such a wonderful job supporting and learning from one another and believe that when given honest information, they are able to understand that outcomes can and will look different. We also talk about grief as adjusting to change. So many of our children face change and loss in different forms throughout illness so it can be helpful to discuss ways to cope even when a parent gets better after treatment.
What do youth do at Pickles Group?
The purpose of Pickles Group is to provide the youth participants with information, skills, and strategies that will help them to thrive throughout their parent cancer experience. Our three key evidence based components of program are: honest information, coping skills, and building a community of peers. This happens through play, art, and social activities. Our participants report having fun while feeling safe, supported, and a sense of belonging.
What about COVID health and safety?
Pickles programming complies with all local and CDC health guidelines. Given our vulnerable family population we also take additional measures to keep our community safe beyond CDC and local guidelines for in-person programming. These policies may be updated, and parents will be notified of any changes so they can make informed program enrollment decisions that are best for their family.
Volunteers and families will receive detailed information regarding vaccination, masking, handwashing, and other safety protocols and requirements to protect the wellbeing of the entire Pickles community. Pickles staff reserve the right to switch to virtual programming if public health circumstances change. All youth-facing volunteers and staff must be fully vaccinated and boosted. If you require a religious or medical exemption, we will engage with you in an interactive process.