The Wendt Center for Loss and Healing offers a series of annual workshops designed to provide youth (ages 5-17) and their families with interventions to help them remember and honor loved ones who have died. We aim to create safe, supportive settings where all family members’ self-expression is honored. During the workshops, participants will explore grief, learn new coping strategies, and ways of caring for their needs. Families may register for as few or as many workshops as they like.
Participation is free of charge.
Details of each workshop and the application to register are below.
If you have questions before applying, please email gfht@wendtcenter.org
All workshops below take place on Saturdays, in person at our office in NW near the Van Ness Metro Station.
Threads of Memory: Creating, Connecting, and Giving Meaning in Times of Grief
October 10, 2026 from 10am-12pm
Facilitated by Luisa Mariño (Art Therapist), this will be a trauma-informed visual arts workshop where families explore grief and loss through drawing, painting, collage, and other creative forms.
A Global Approach to Yoga with Grieving Families
October 24, 2026 from 10am-12pm
Facilitated by Johneé Wilson (Certified Yoga Instructor and Founder of Million Mats DC), this workshop will use Yoga and movement to connect with your body and spirit during times of grief.
Healing Through Rhythm: A Drum Circle for Grieving Families
November 7, 2026 from 3PM-5pm
Facilitated by Batalá Washington, this workshop will use drumming and percussion from various world traditions to foster self-expression, inter-connection, and community healing.
The Natural Imprint of Grief
November 14, 2026 from 10am-12pm
Facilitated by Tara Hoit (Certified Children’s Grief Counselor, Certified Horticultural Therapist, and Virginia Master Gardener), during this workshop participants will connect with emotions associated with grief and loss through therapeutic connections with nature.
Therapeutic Theater and Storytelling with Grieving Families
December 5, 2026 from 10am-12pm
Facilitated by Kristen Pilgrim (Drama Therapist) and Matt Reckeweg (Teaching Artist and Local Director), during this workshop the participants will practice expressing emotions related to grief through theater-based activities that focus on embodiment through vocalization, physicalizing experiences, and collaboration.
When Words Aren’t Enough: Movement While Grieving
December 19, 2026 from 10am-12pm
Facilitated by Ladonna Matchett (Dance Movement Therapist), this workshop will be a gentle exploration of movement and touch to support grief processing, emotional release, and communal connections.
Application Information:
The application will ask you for information about the adult(s) and child(ren) who plan to participate in the workshops, the deceased person(s) you will be honoring, as well as ask you to select which workshops you can attend. Once you’re ready, the application should be filled out by someone who has authority to sign forms for the children in the family. If the children of the family have different legal guardians, then separate applications should be completed.