graphic of hearts coming out of a box with a white mist.

New York Life Foundation
& First Book

Working together to build grief-supportive school environments for all.

Childhood grief is a deeply profound and often overlooked aspect of a young person’s life. Whether due to the death of a parent, sibling, or close family member, navigating grief at a young age presents unique challenges that can have lasting effects on a child’s emotional well-being and development.

Since 2008, New York Life Foundation has made Childhood Bereavement a philanthropic priority. Through their efforts, resources, and initiatives have been developed, including but not limited to:

The Coalition to Support Grieving Students: Provides resources and training to help schools support grieving students.
The New York Life’s Grief-Sensitive Schools Initiative: Equips schools with tools to create grief sensitive environments for the entire school community.
The partnership between First Book and the New York Life Foundation: Provides educational resources to communities nationwide.

The goal is to address the need for increased support and understanding around childhood grief, helping young people and their families navigate this profound experience.

graphic with 12 drawings of a child's silhouette. Above the 12 drawings is text that says, '1 in 12 children in the United States will experience the death of a parent or sibling by age 18,'. Beneath the drawings is additional text that says, 'a number that doubles by the age of 25.' At the bottom of the graphic is text that says, 'Source: Judi’s House/JAG Institute, 2023.'

graphic with a percentage circle at 93% on the left side. Beneath the circle is text that says, 'of educators recognize childhood grief as a serious concern deserving more attention.' On the right side is an image of a young girl with a stoic look on her face and her arms crossed. At the bottom of the graphic is text that says, 'Source: AFT/NYLF Grief in School Survey, 2020.'

Equipped with these insights, our partnership has proactively moved to bridge the gaps in grief support and awareness within school communities by creating a range of initiatives aimed at providing meaningful tools and resources for educators, parents, and students.

Resources from First Book and the New York Life Foundation to Support School Communities

library marketplace with books on a table

Robust Grief, Loss, and Healing section on the First Book Marketplace

Explore First Book’s curated Grief, Loss, and Healing section, offering nearly 80 books and resources tailored for children aged 0-18.

SHOP THE MARKETPLACE

image of a child sitting on the ground with their head in their arms.

Community Care Credits

First Book eligible schools/programs can apply for funding to purchase books and resources supporting children’s resilience, offering comfort, coping techniques, and guiding grief and loss conversations during acute bereavement situations.

Request Credit

image of an educator or adult talking with a young teen.

Free Resources and Conversation Guides

Access free resources with actionable tips and strategies to support grieving students and their families. Available in English and Spanish.

Explore Now

Rapid Response Grants

After mass shootings or community tragedies, First Book and the New York Life Foundation swiftly offer support and funding opportunities to affected communities, aiming to provide educators, counselors, and psychologists with books for impacted students.

Learn More

… In the education field we are constantly looking for meaningful resources for our students. Because of the level of need for grief resources, I feel books are an amazing place to start.
First Book Educator

Thank you so much for your donation and contribution. You and New York Life are making a difference in our lives. I never thought El Paso would be experiencing such a painful event. People and organizations like yours make us feel that we are not alone. Thank you on behalf of our students and community. God Bless you.
Tirsa, First Book Educator

I am not sure even where to begin. I am completely speechless. Thank you so much for your generosity. Your kindness is humbling. We will be placing our order very soon and we are so grateful to be allowed the opportunity to select from so many wonderful titles. Thank you once again for helping our school and reaching out to our community during these troubling times. We can’t thank you enough!
Lori, First Book Educator

New York Life Foundation and First Book Launch a Series of Public Service Announcements

Strength comes in many forms, and a book can be one of them. The PSA series draws inspiration from New York Life’s “Kai’s Journey” book series, serving as a tangible tool for grief support and awareness through storytelling. These PSAs were designed to empower and equip those working with bereaved children and families by highlighting resources from First Book and the New York Life Foundation, while sparking a national conversation on child grief, an often overlooked issue.

illustration of a young girl with a tear rolling down her face. She is looking at a image on a fridge, and there is a calendar with the 1st day of school marked on it.

The Power of Books in Grief Support

In this PSA, discover how connecting with characters in stories can help children and young people stay connected to the ones they’ve lost, encouraging them to open up to those around them and explore their feelings inside. Whether it’s through relatable characters, insightful narratives, or actionable tips and strategies, books emerge as a powerful tool for grief, loss, and healing.

Watch now

illustration of a book by the New York Life Foundation, titled "Lost In The Middle".

Middle School & Grief: Finding Strength in Stories

Middle school can be tough—we’ve all been there. But it’s especially challenging for kids experiencing loss, making them feel isolated and overwhelmed. In this PSA, we explore how opening up to friends and connecting with others, whether in person or through the pages of a book, can help children begin to heal.

Watch now

frame from childhood grief PSA. Drawing of a school with kids and adults at the entrance.

Helping Grieving Children Heal Through Books

Grief is a personal journey, and no child should face it alone. Whether it’s navigating difficult emotions or starting meaningful conversations about loss, books provide a unique way for children to connect with their feelings and others. Discover how stories can offer solace and strength to children experiencing grief.

Watch now

Learn More