More Than Just a Good Time: Teen Events at TCR

Friendship doesn’t always start with a deep conversation. Sometimes it starts with a shared laugh, a slice of pizza, or the quiet relief of realizing you’re not the only one who’s been through it.

That’s the spirit behind The Children’s Room’s monthly Teen Events—unstructured, low-pressure gatherings where teens can show up, have fun, and be around others who get it. From escape rooms to virtual culinary nights, Celtics games to theme park days, each event is designed to offer something simple yet powerful: connection without expectation.

No Pressure, Just Presence

What makes these events special is that they aren’t structured around grief, but they still offer support. There’s no pressure to share your story, no need to explain your experience. Just an open invitation to be yourself and enjoy the moment with others who understand even if nothing is said out loud.

Another teen shares, “It’s not really focused on people dying. It’s more about being with others, just knowing they have gone through the same things as you.”

“It sounds like it won’t be fun spending time with a bunch of kids who have lost someone special to them, but it really is enjoyable. I actually connected with people and had lots of fun!”

At TCR, we often say that support takes many forms. Teen Events reflect that belief. They show that sometimes, the most meaningful thing isn’t a circle of chairs or a formal conversation, it’s an evening at a mosaic workshop or a team effort to break out of a puzzle room. It’s laughter, shared silence, inside jokes, and the kind of belonging that builds slowly, with time and trust.

“They’re really fun! Not all of them are for everyone, but there’s usually an event for someone. If you want to meet new people with shared experiences, these events are great for that,” shares one teen.

“I would encourage them to join because it is a really good way to connect with people who have a similar experience to yours.”

“It’s a way to find other people who make you feel less alone—and have an amazing time.”

For Some Teens, It’s the First Step

These events are open to all teens in our programs, but not every attendee comes through the same path. For some, Teen Events are their first experience with The Children’s Room. They might not be ready to join a peer support group or they may simply want to see what TCR is like in a more informal setting. Others have participated in peer support and are looking for different ways to stay connected. And some teens who’ve left group continue to come to Teen Events as a way of staying in touch, both with TCR and with peers who’ve walked a similar road.

“From the first time going, I can already tell that it’s very helpful and somewhat comforting to be around other teens experiencing grief,” shares one teen about their experience.

“It’s a great program and I was nervous, but I definitely had a lot of fun.”

Whether you’re new to TCR or have been part of our programs for a while, Teen Events are a reminder that connection can take many forms and that you don’t have to talk about grief to feel supported in it.

If you’d like to stay connected and hear about new opportunities as they come up, we invite you to subscribe to our newsletter.

To learn more about our peer support groups and programming for teens, visit childrensroom.org/support/teens.