She was told about Tu Nidito when her mom died and came back years later as a facilitator. Ariella is now a Littles Facilitator on Tuesday 1 and a Middles Facilitator on Tuesday 2. Today, she lives with her aunt and extended family, carrying forward the love her mother gave her. Some of Ariella’s favorite memories are simple ones: weekends spent exploring new food spots, sharing ice cream, window shopping, and talking about everything and nothing at all. “Weekends were our time,” she reflects. “It was our downtime to create memories.” Those ordinary moments are the ones she misses most. Grief shaped Ariella in ways she continues to understand. It also informs how she shows up for the children she serves.

“One thing I’ve learned working with children is to never say, ‘I know how you feel,’” Ariella shares. “I can understand, but we can never truly know exactly how someone feels in that moment. I do know what it feels like to wish you had another chance—another moment to say the things you didn’t get to say.” That insight—compassionate, honest, and developmentally aware—is what makes her such a powerful presence in the group.

Now a double major in Human Development and Family Science and Psychology, Ariella is pursuing a path toward becoming a school counselor. Growing up in a low-income community with a single parent and later experiencing a sudden death sparked her interest in understanding how environmental and life factors shape young people.

“My mom’s death made me interested in school psychology and becoming a school counselor,” she says. “It made me realize how real and unpredictable death is. You never know when it will happen. I know my mom would want me to live fully, and I’m grateful to have family and friends supporting me.” Throughout her academic journey, Ariella has connected with peers who have also experienced death. She encourages others to have hard conversations with loved ones while they can — to say what matters now.

This spring, Ariella deepened her commitment to Tu Nidito by stepping into an internship role. In addition to facilitating groups, she helps prepare materials and spaces for support nights, represented Tu Nidito at the University of Arizona Pre-Health Fair, and works behind the scenes to ensure families feel welcomed and cared for during our group nights. One of the most meaningful experiences for her is Tu Nidito’s annual Día de los Muertos gathering.

Each October, families come together to honor their loved ones — sharing favorite foods, telling stories, and remembering publicly. Ariella chose to share about her mother during the celebration. Afterward, several families approached her to express gratitude for her openness. “It meant so much,” she recalls. “To be able to speak about my mom — and to know it connected with the participants.”

Outside of Tu Nidito, Ariella still finds a connection to her mother in small rituals. She loves putting together puzzles — an activity they once enjoyed together — and now shares that tradition with her four-year-old cousin. She cherishes time with her boyfriend, and she’s endlessly curious about true crime, pop culture, and politics — especially where those worlds intersect. While balancing her volunteer commitment with two jobs at the University of Arizona, she remains consistently present, engaged, curious and always smiling.

Ariella often says that her mom’s death taught her how temporary life can be. That awareness fuels the way she shows up — present, intentional, and compassionate. With her bright smile, thoughtful spirit, and deep empathy, Ariella embodies the heart of Tu Nidito: turning personal grief into connection and support for others.

Motivated by that simple realization, Nelson applied to become a volunteer at Tu Nidito. What began as a desire to help soon grew into a long-term commitment. He started facilitating multiple support group nights, learning alongside families and fellow facilitators, the power of simply showing up and being present.

Now, in 2026, Nelson co-facilitates the Wednesday Group 1 teen group. His connection to the teens is deeply personal. His father died after a three-year cancer battle, and Nelson knows firsthand what it feels like without a parent present for life’s milestones. That lived experience allows him to relate to the teens with authenticity and empathy.

“I feel that I can help the teens along and help them feel like they aren’t the only ones who are going through it,” said Daou. “Someone who has an idea of what they’re feeling.”

Outside of Tu Nidito, Nelson is a mathematician who often rides his bike to work. He is a husband and father of two middle schoolers and values time spent with his family. Together, they enjoy community traditions such as Winterhaven, ZooLights, and holiday gatherings—moments that highlight the importance of connection and shared experiences.

Through his years of volunteering, Nelson has seen the impact of Tu Nidito’s support groups again and again. He shared that while we can’t ease the pain of grief, having a safe space where individuals feel heard, seen, and supported is vital to the healing journey. Those small moments of connection can make a lasting difference.

When asked what advice he would offer to new facilitators, Nelson keeps it simple: listen. He emphasizes that silence is not something to fear and that children should never be pressured to share before they are ready. Time, patience, and presence, he believes, are the most meaningful tools.

Nelson describes Tu Nidito as a special place where the community comes together to support every family that walks through its doors.

“I get as much out of it as families do,” said Daou. “My greatest advice for new facilitators is to just be there and listen. There are no magic words—just sit beside someone.”

We are honored to share the inspiring story of a Tu Nidito teen whose journey has come full circle—from a grieving child seeking support, to a dedicated volunteer facilitator, to a proud fundraiser riding for Tu Nidito through our Ride for a Child campaign as a part of the 42nd annual El Tour De Tucson. Her strength, generosity, and commitment to helping others shine brightly, and we’re grateful to celebrate her story with our community.

Finding Tu Nidito at Nine Years Old

At just nine years old, Kyla Kolomichuk and her brother came to Tu Nidito after the heartbreaking death of their little sister, who died of cancer. Their family joined Tu Nidito’s support group program for children who have a sibling with a serious medical condition, where they found understanding, connection, and a place where their grief was welcomed.

She remembers the relief of having a space where talking about her sister was encouraged. “There were definitely a lot of times I felt like people didn’t want me to talk about my loss or wanted me to keep it to myself,” she shared. “But Tu Nidito was a safe space where my brother and I could grieve and do crafts that helped us process our emotions.” She recalls spending hours in the Imagination Room playing out pretend hospital scenarios—a powerful part of her emotional processing at the time.

Coming Back as a Volunteer Facilitator

Now 16 and attending Tanque Verde High School, Kyla’s returned to Tu Nidito—this time as a Littles facilitator. A close friend, Ella, who also attended Tu Nidito as a child, encouraged her to volunteer.

“I realized that going back to help out was an opportunity, and I immediately signed up,” she said.

Volunteering hasn’t always been easy. “My personal experience has made it difficult because these kids have been through so much, and it’s hard knowing that other people are going through something like what I did,” she explained honestly. “Though I think it helps me connect with them.”

Even though she’s new to facilitating, she already knows what means the most: “Right now, the most meaningful part is knowing that there is even the chance that I could make any kid feel less alone in the world.”

Riding for a Child: Giving Back Through El Tour de Tucson

This year, she added fundraiser to her growing list of roles by participating in Ride for a Child during El Tour de Tucson. Though she’s raced El Tour many times, this was her first time riding to support Tu Nidito.

“I stumbled across the opportunity to ride in support of an organization I care a lot about,” she shared. “It was honestly so much fun raising money for Ride for a Child, and I’m really glad I did it.”

She completed the 34-mile ride alongside a close friend—no intense training, just trust, experience, and the joy of riding for a meaningful cause. “Participating in El Tour as part of my connection to Tu Nidito was really meaningful. It felt like a wonderful way to continue giving back and honoring my sister.”

Why Ride for a Child Matters

Her message to the community is simple and powerful:

“Tu Nidito ensures that no one has to grieve alone, and that every person’s pain doesn’t have to be carried by themself. This mission is so important for everyone who has experienced loss, and Ride for a Child keeps Tu Nidito able to do these things.”

A Full-Circle Journey

Reflecting on her journey—from a grieving child to a compassionate helper—she says:

“When I first joined Tu Nidito, I was nine years old and in need of support. Now I get the opportunity to be the person who supports those kids in need of help. It’s magical to know that I could be a part of anything even remotely close to helping someone grieving alone. Fundraising felt so good—to give back and honor my sister.”

We are incredibly proud of her, grateful for her service, and honored to walk alongside her as she continues to transform her grief into healing—for herself and for others.

This year, we’re offering space, compassion, and tools to help you navigate the holiday season in a way that supports you and your family. We invite you to join us for our virtual Lunch & Learn, led by Tu Nidito Program Director, Amanda Marks, MSW. Amanda will share how to move through this season with intention, honesty, and care.

We hope you’ll join us on Thursday, December 11, from 12–1 PM for our virtual Lunch & Learn. Amanda Marks will offer deeper insight into:

• What you can do this holiday season
• How to take care of yourself while caring for others
• Meaningful ways to honor your person

Together, we can create space for honesty, healing, and gentle hope.

Date: Thursday, December 11
Time: 12–1 PM
Location: Virtual
Register: Scan the QR code on the flyer or register with the link: https://bit.ly/3JLgtIo

You are not alone this holiday season—Tu Nidito is here to walk beside you.

November is Children’s Grief Awareness Month, a time to honor the experiences of grieving children and call attention to community support. Through providing direct care and educational outreach, Tu Nidito is on a mission to ensure that no child grieves alone. According to the Child Bereavement Estimation Model developed by Judi’s House, 1 in 10 children in Arizona will experience the death of a parent or sibling by age 18, and by age 25 this number more than doubles to 369,000. Arizona ranks as the 18th highest state for number of bereaved youth. While childhood grief is not rare—it’s a public health issue that affects classrooms, childhood development, relationships, sports teams, and neighborhoods across Tucson. Tu Nidito’s bereavement support groups intervene at a devastating time for children and their families, we witness firsthand their courage and resilience.

This life-changing work is made possible thanks to the 191 compassionate volunteers and board members and the generosity of our Tucson partners. This Children’s Grief Awareness Month, we are honored to partner with Children’s Museum Tucson for Healing with Play, an evening of free comfort, support, and hope for families with child(ren) age 4-18 grieving a death.

What to Expect at Healing with Play

Healing with Play is free to attend event for families with a child age 4-18 grieving a death. Tu Nidito staff alongside trained volunteers will lead sharing circles for children and teens, grouped by age—from our youngest participants, starting at age four, through high schoolers. In these circles, participants will be making a Memory Garden; a place where we can grow love and memories, even when someone has died. Whether they choose to speak or simply listen, each child has the opportunity to reflect, connect, and feel understood by others who have also experienced a death.

Following the hour-long sharing circles, families are invited to explore the Museum together. This time offers a joyful reminder that moments of play and discovery can coexist with grief—and that healing often begins in ordinary, shared experiences. Through conversation, storytelling, and hands-on activities, we help normalize discussions about death and loss—helping children feel seen, supported, and not alone.

How Can I Attend Healing with Play?

• Address: Children’s Museum Tucson Education Center
  130 S. Scott Ave., Tucson, AZ 85701
• Time: Saturday November 15th, 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Healing with Play is free to attend, however registration is required. Participants can register by completing this form here. If you need help registering, have any questions about attending this event, or cannot attend the event but are interested in learning more about Tu Nidito’s services or education, we are here to support you. Please reach out to Tu Nidito by calling 520-322-9155 or emailing info@tunidito.org. Space is limited so register today.

Grief doesn’t disappear when the month ends. Tu Nidito’s bereavement support groups for children, teens, young adults, caregivers, and their families grieving a death are available year-round completely free-of-charge to whoever needs them. If you know a child or family struggling with loss, remind them that they are not alone. Tu Nidito is here to help, and together, we can create a community where every child can find comfort, hope, and connection. Learn more about our bereavement support here or show your support to grieving youth by getting involved today.

As we close out 2025 Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we are highlighting our program designed to support those affected by this condition. Breast cancer remains one of the most common cancers worldwide. In the United States alone, an estimated 317,000 women will be diagnosed this year. The prognosis and medical journey for cancer can be extremely socially isolating, and it affects every member of the family. The grief surrounding this condition is multidimensional: it leads to a loss of normalcy, certainty and potential ideas for the future. Treatment fatigues and emotionally drains caregivers who may need extra support in childcare. At Tu Nidito, families who are experiencing a breast cancer diagnosis, do not have to go through this grief alone.

About half of the families enrolled in our CPC program are due to a caregiver’s diagnosis with Breast Cancer. Each one of them has a unique story, and each story matters.

CPC supports children who have a caregiver with breast cancer

Group nights occur twice a month at Tu Nidito are structured in two parts:

1. A guided curricular activity designed by Tu Nidito’s experts
2. a self-directed alternative form of expression

A CPC participant shares, “The question that they give to the kids, they also give to us in our group. And it’ll bring things up that we maybe weren’t talking about before. I’ve learned a lot from the facilitators. I found that I was trying to protect her from everything. That was very helpful, very eye-opening for me. Because she needs to be a participant in what’s going on, because it affects her life too.”

In addition to fostering community, the alternative form of expression is critical to meeting children where they are in their grief journey

These forms of expression include:

• getting creative in our Art Room
• roleplaying in our Imagination Room
• letting out more difficult emotions in our Volcano Room
• playing outside on our playground

The child of the earlier mentioned participant says, “When we’re in the art room, I either draw just little sketches or like, there’s also a sand pit in there. And there’s little gems that are really pretty. I like coming here because it’s like my little get away from home; because I trust people here.”

With a child-centered support model, CPC is the only program of its kind in Southern Arizona. We provide it completely free-of-charge to breast cancer patients with a child. Tu Nidito is your place for grief support, and with a caring and welcoming touch, we are here to walk alongside you in your journey.

If you know someone, who needs additional support through their breast cancer journey, make a difference for them by acting today:

• Learn more about our programs or refer yourself to one.
• Join our mission and learn about volunteer opportunities.
• Get grief-informed and find resources.
• Stay connected and sign up for our newsletter
• Donate to help ensure no one grieves alone.

Why Grief Awareness Matters

While it can be difficult to have conversations around grief, it is a universal experience resulting from the death of a loved one, the loss of relationships, unexpected life changes, the diagnosis of a serious medical condition, the loss of normalcy, and other experiences that alter someone’s sense of stability.

While grief touches all of our lives, every individual’s grief journey is unique to them, and at Tu Nidito we believe that each person can become the expert in their own journey. We know grief is not simply an obstacle to overcome but a lifelong undertaking we all need to be supported through. National Grief Awareness Day is an opportunity to remind those who are grieving in your life that they are not alone. 

Supporting Your Loved Ones Who Are Grieving

Grief can upend someone’s day-to-day life: disrupting routines like usual sleep patterns or appetite, increasing anxiety or social isolation, and can lead to other adverse emotional or cognitive effects. Meanwhile, it can feel like life goes on as usual for everyone else—people can feel pressured to “be strong” or “move on” which can leave them feeling unseen and unsupported. Here are some ways to express support this National Grief Awareness Day to someone in your life who is grieving.

• Reach out: Let them know you’re thinking about them, and invite them to connect. It’s okay for them to decline, but your presence and thoughtfulness can make a difference.
• Offer specific help: grief can be overwhelming and it can be difficult to know or ask for specific support. Instead, give simple choices on what you can provide, like helping with child care, dropping off dinner, or taking care of some other errand.
• Listen: create a supportive environment where they can feel free to speak without judgement.
• Respect their privacy. Do not pressure them to share more than they are willing. Do not share photos or personal details, even if it was on the news.
• Show compassion: avoid platitudes like “it could have been worse” or other qualifiers like “at least.” These statements can feel dismissive or insincere. Speak supportively and from your heart. You can admit that you cannot fully understand how they feel or what you say won’t change anything while still letting them know they are not alone.

While these points can be useful, it is important to remember that people can grieve differently, especially children who grieve depending on different developmental stages. Despite these differences in expressing grief, you can always remind those who are grieving in your life that they are not alone.

Finding Support at Our “Little Nest”

If you or someone you know is grieving, please reach out to us. Whether you’re looking for community, educational resources, or simply someone to hear and see you, we are here to walk alongside you in your grief journey.

At Tu Nidito, we are leading the way to building a compassionate community of acceptance and understanding for those grieving a serious medical condition or death. We provide all of our programs free of charge to whoever needs them for as long as they’re needed. Make a difference this National Grief Awareness Day for grieving children, teens, young adults, their caregivers, and families in Southern Arizona by following one of these links below:

• Learn more about our programs or refer yourself to one.
• Join our mission and learn about volunteer opportunities.
• Get grief-informed and find resources.
• Stay connected and sign up for our newsletter
• Donate to help ensure no child grieves alone.