COPE is a nonprofit grief and healing organization helping parents and families living with the loss of a child.

LILLY’S VISION

After the death of her daughter Michelle, in a tragic car accident in 1992, Lilly Julien woke from a dream with a vision of grieving parents and siblings coming together for emotional support. Her hope was that as they helped each other, they would find comfort, healing, and continued connection to their loved ones.

Grief takes a toll on individuals in many ways including physical and emotional changes. Our COPE families find strength and hope in knowing they do not have to face this journey alone.

COPE’S GROWTH

COPE was founded in 1999 by bereaved parents, Lillian & Robert Julien, Judy & Richard Berg and Patti Greenberg. COPE now offers professionally led support groups, a grief support phone line, educational and healing workshops including yoga, meditation, art, movement, music, and journaling.

Inspired by the loss of Lilly’s husband Robert, in 2000, and the impact it had on her children, Lilly Julien spearheaded COPE’s Camp Erin® NYC, a free summer weekend experience to support grieving children. COPE offers a concurrent Parent/Caregiver Retreat to help families grow and heal together.

COPE is committed to collaborating with the greater grief and bereavement community to provide referrals for appropriate services and bereavement education to schools, places of worship, hospitals and businesses. COPE trainings offer healthy coping tools and effective strategies to grieving individuals, while supporting the bereaved community.