Dawn Stueckle
Co-Founder & Executive Director
Dawn has worked with young people in San Francisco for more than two decades, starting campus-based girls’ support groups at Lincoln High School and A.P. Giannini Middle School in the early 1990s and co-founding in 1992 the organization that would later become Sunset Youth Services. In addition to providing leadership for the nonprofit, managing staff, connecting with donors, and building relationships with young people served by Sunset Youth Services, Dawn partners with numerous community coalitions and city agencies as an advisor, change agent, and voice for the disenfranchised youth of the city.
In 2018 Dawn was elected to co-chair the Juvenile Justice Providers Association (JJPA)–– a consortium of community-based organizations that she helped establish in 2004 and which plays an important role in local policy-making, youth advocacy and has a strong voice in how funds are used to meet the needs of vulnerable youth.
GRIEF CIRCLES
Sunset Youth Services Grief Circles (formerly known as Josie’s Place for Bereaved Youth & Families) supports children, teens, young adults, and caregivers who are grieving. Through education, compassion, understanding, and a safe environment, we help families integrate loss into their lives at their own pace.
We believe young people deserve the opportunity to grieve the death of a close family member or friend in a supportive and understanding environment. Young people who are grieving often feel alone in the experience; our groups connect them with peers who can relate. Peer-based groups are co-facilitated by volunteers trained in the Dougy Center model and are supervised by SYS staff members.
What to Expect in a Peer-based Grief Circle
All Grief Circles open with the ritual lighting of a candle, introductions, and a review of group agreements which keep the group safe, inclusive, and cohesive. Youth groups typically include:
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Age-appropriate icebreaker games
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Discussion of an aspect of the grief experience
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Creative expression activity – making art or music about the day’s topic
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Independent social time
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A closing ritual
Parent & Caregiver Grief Circles are facilitated sharing-and-listening circles designed to support caregivers as they navigate grief.
OPEN GRIEF CIRCLES
All Grief Circles are available at no cost to families. We generally recommend that families wait until after a funeral or celebration of life to start attending groups.
Virtual Kids
Open Year-Round
Location: Zoom
For: 8-14 year olds
2nd & 4th Thursdays | 7:00-8:15pm
In-Person Kids
Open Year-Round
Location: Outer Sunset, San Francisco
For: 6-12 year olds
2nd & 4th Tuesdays| 6:30-8:00pm
In-Person Adults
Open Year-Round
Location: Outer Sunset, San Francisco
For: Adults caring for children in the In-Person Kids group
2nd & 4th Tuesdays | 6:30-8:00pm
(runs concurrent with In-Person Kids)
The Art of Grief
9-week session; rolling basis
Location: Outer Sunset, San Francisco
For: 16-24 year olds
Weekly sessions for 9 weeks; rolling throughout the year.
To enroll in one of our Grief Circles, use the contact form below, email josiesplace@sunsetyouthservices.org, or call 415-665-0255.
RESOURCES
Grief can feel overwhelming, and finding the right support matters. For 1:1 referrals, school support, or specific grief education questions, use the contact form below.
The downloadable guides and toolkits below may offer comfort, practical support, and understanding as you move through grief at your own pace.
CONTACT US
To learn more, enroll in a grief circle, or join our mailing list, fill out the contact form below.
Interested in becoming a Volunteer Facilitator?
Apply for our training!
Based on the Dougy Center Model, an internationally recognized, evidence-based educational platform supporting grieving youth and their families, Facilitator Training prepares adult volunteer facilitators to hold supportive space for bereaved youth and their caregivers. It is also available for mental health professionals who wish to understand grief and loss for young people more deeply.
We are looking for folks who have experience working with children and/or teens, experience with death and grief, and/or a sincere interest in this work. Men, people from historically marginalized communities, and bilingual Spanish speakers are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be willing to make a minimum of a one-year commitment to Josie's Place, and longer is desired.
Training Dates & Requirements. Please mark your calendars now if you plan to apply.
January 8, 2026
Zoom
6-8:30pm
January 24, 2026
Outer Sunset, SF
10am-4pm
January 10, 2026
Outer Sunset, SF
10am-4pm
January 31, 2026
Outer Sunset, SF
10am-4pm
Training Cost & Volunteer Commitment
We are a small program operating no-cost groups to San Francisco families. We rely on community support to sustain this work. This pricing structure offsets our costs.
Volunteer Facilitators $200 with 1-yr minimum volunteer commitment.
Professional Development $700 with no volunteer commitment.
Ready to Apply?
Choose the appropriate application for your purposes:
GRIEF CIRCLES STAFF
Amy Bell Hou
Grief Circles Program Manager
Gaia Ritter
Grief Circles Coordinator