Friends of Aine

It is often said that children are our greatest gift; at Friends of Aine we believe that wholeheartedly. Yet right now, so many are suffering alone from the death of their important person. Today, in the state of New Hampshire, 1 in 12 children experience the death of a parent or sibling by age 18. That number does not include alternative caregivers. That’s 20,000 kids. By age 25, that number more than doubles.

Together, we can make a difference and work towards our shared vision that no child grieves alone. We can ensure that families can access much needed grief support free of charge, with your help. 

At our Center for Grieving Children and Families, located in Manchester, NH, we offer peer-to-peer support groups to help grieving children and families to navigate the unfathomable circumstances they are faced with after their person dies. We provide them with a safe and compassionate environment so that they can tell their story and connect with each other. Mostly, we empower our children and teens to have a voice, to be ok or not be ok, and to make good decisions for themselves as they move forward in their grief and in their lives. 

Because Friends of Aine is the only organization in New Hampshire solely dedicated to child bereavement, our families come from across the state to receive services. Support and care are provided by trained volunteers who understand the trauma and immense suffering children are going through. Our programs are offered 2 nights a week in eight-week sessions. 

Pictured above: The Friends of Aine Center, located at 226 Coolidge Ave in Manchester, NH 

In addition to offering support groups at our Center in Manchester, Friends of Aine has a Grief Backpack Initiative for schools that contain resources and tips for educators, counselors, and school personnel to effectively work with a grieving student(s) in the classroom. This project has been rolled into 231 schools and all 10 counties across the state and continues to reach more. We also offer in-school support groups, HUG (Help Us Grieve) workshops, Grief Education Training and more.

Our Inspiration: Friends of Aine is inspired by Aine Phillips, who died suddenly at the age of eight, and the lack of grief resources for her younger sister, Bella. Friends of Aine was founded in 2013 to ensure bereaved children will always feel understood and supported by both peers and trusted adults as they journey through their grief.

Thank you for supporting Friends of Aine. Your gift honors the legacy of a young girl who always wanted to help others. 

Mission: To help children and families grieving a death navigate their path to a hopeful future.

Vision: To create a world where no child grieves alone.

Values: Kindness, Compassion, Connections, Courage

Who We Are

Friends of Aine is a 501c3 non-profit organization established to provide bereavement support services to grieving children and families.

Borne out of the tragic loss of Aine Marie Phillips (pronounced Ahn-ya) at age 8, and the recognition that bereavement services for Aine’s surviving 5-year-old sister, Bella, were sadly scarce, parents David and Christine set out to fill this void. Friends of Aine was developed to create an enduring legacy for Aine that embodies her spirit and character by helping children and their families who are grieving the loss of a loved one.