Tidewell Hospice has received multiple unrestricted grants to support its Blue Butterfly Family Grief Center, an evidence-based program that helps grieving children, teens and caregivers through professional counseling, peer-support groups and activities.
The grants will help Tidewell continue to provide free therapeutic grief and support services while expanding the program to meet the needs of more individuals and families. Funds came from the McCune Family Foundation ($30,000), Lakewood Ranch Rotary Club ($5,800) and Service Club of Manatee County ($2,000).

Each year, more than 8,000 children in Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee and Sarasota counties experience the loss of a parent, leaving them at an increased risk for depression, anxiety, truancy, eating disorders, alcohol and drug abuse, and even suicide. The Blue Butterfly program has served more than 200 families since its inception in April 2018, and it is continuing to provide grief services virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program is 100 pecent supported by donor investments. Tidewell is actively expanding Blue Butterfly to care for additional children and families in the region, with new locations in Port Charlotte and Ellenton scheduled to open in August 2020 and winter 2021, respectively.