More than 8,000 children in the Sarasota area have lost a parent or sibling.

Tidewell Hospice launched the Blue Butterfly program in response to this overwhelming need. Blue Butterfly is an evidence-based community outreach program for children aged 5-18 and their caregivers who have experienced the death of a significant person in their lives.

We help families navigate their grief in healthy ways, with a special focus on children. Our evidence-based therapy works to help kids avoid adverse behavioral responses, while giving them the chance to connect with others like them, who have also experienced loss.

This world-class service includes bringing expertise in counseling and mental health to the young people in our community who need it most.

With guidance, children and families learn to process their loss and avoid common problems that can result from unresolved trauma, like depression and self-harm.

Our community needs family grief counseling more than ever, which is why Blue Butterfly services are 100% free — all thanks to the generous contributions of our donors.

After recently expanding our services to meet tremendous demand, Blue Butterfly now has four active locations in Lakewood Ranch, Port Charlotte, Newtown, and Ellenton. The incredible generosity of donors allows us to continue to expand our services to create more opportunities for children and families to find light and healing during some of their darkest days.

Blue Butterfly offers bilingual support, and is available in both English and Spanish.