At The Lighthouse, we’re committed to ensuring no child grieves alone. Your support helps us provide free, compassionate programs for children and youth navigating loss. If you’d like to support our mission, please consider making a donation.
You can also volunteer, get involved in our events, or become a sponsor by visiting the Get Involved section on our website.
November is recognized globally as Children’s Grief Awareness Month, symbolized by the blue butterfly which represents hope. When someone in their family dies, grieving children and youth can be the ‘forgotten mourners’, so it is important to let them know we are here for them.
Supporting children early on is vital for their long-term mental health and well-being. As Dr. Alan Brown, Child, Adolescent, and Family Psychiatrist and former Chief of Psychiatry at Halton Healthcare and Joseph Brant Hospital, explains, “I have been unfortunate to see the consequences of remaining family members of these tragedies. We know that premature loss of such a critical loved one contributes to the development of a significant vulnerability or depression and anxiety to emerge in someone’s life.”
The Lighthouse is very grateful to collaborate with Walden International School of Oakville and their talented art students in honor of Children’s Grief Awareness Month again this year.
Students at Walden used their creativity and compassion to produce 20 beautiful and meaningful artwork pieces reflecting themes of hope, remembrance, and connection in support of Children’s Grief Awareness Month. These pieces are proudly on display throughout the month of November at the Oakville Public Library’s Iroquois Ridge and Glen Abbey Branches, as well as the Burlington Public Library’s Central Branch.
The Lighthouse extends heartfelt thanks to Barb Hewitt and the students of Walden International School their incredible dedication, and to the Oakville and Burlington Public Libraries for displaying these
inspiring works of art.
On or before Children’s Grief Awareness Day, Thursday, November 20, 2025, the following landmarks will illuminate in blue to honour grieving children and families. These special lightings serve as a powerful symbol of hope, awareness, and connection, reminding our communities that no child needs to grieve alone.
Landmarks participating include:
Brant Street Pier, Burlington – November 19
CN Tower & 3D Toronto Sign – November 20
Mississauga Clock Tower – November 20
Tannery Hill Beacon – All of November
Oakville Town Hall – November 20
Brampton City Hall Clock Tower – November 20
Vaughan City Hall Council Chambers – November 20
Hamilton 3D Sign – November 19
Many thanks to the towns, cities, and GVA Lighting for their generosity and support in helping to spread awareness and ensure that no child grieves alone.
The Lighthouse, located at the corner of Bronte and Rebecca Street in Oakville, is transformed into a beautiful blue beacon of light in November. Anyone is always welcome to stop by, take a quiet moment to pause and reflect in the Memory Garden, or join us for a tour.
This is a place where children come to meet others who understand what they’re going through, each navigating their own journey of grief. Here, they find comfort, connection, and hope, as they begin to process one of the most difficult experiences of their lives.
In 2025, in honour of Children’s Grief Awareness Month, The Lighthouse partnered with the City of Burlington to bring a meaningful symbol of hope to the community, a blue bench. Thanks to the generous support of Councillor Nisan, the bench will be installed at Brant Hills Park by November 20, 2025, serving as a place of reflection and remembrance for grieving children and families throughout the year.
A special plaque on the bench shares its purpose, reminding everyone who passes by of the importance of supporting grieving children and youth in our community and beyond.
Bell Media has generously donated billboards space throughout the region, including along the Gardiner Expressway into Toronto. In addition, there is a bus shelter ad in Mississauga located at Dundas Street and Hurontario.
BurlingtonToday kindly shared our story, highlighting this important awareness campaign, while the Town of Oakville and City of Mississauga is helping to spread the messaging across their social media channels. The City of Mississauga is taking it one step further by displaying a special message on their city billboard at Celebration Square on November 20th, a beautiful gesture of community compassion and solidarity.
Together, these efforts are reaching over 1 million families across our communities, reminding them that they are seen, supported and never alone in their grief
2522 Rebecca St., Oakville ON
905-337-2333
info@lighthousegriefsupport.org
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