It began with a heartfelt conviction: that no one should ever grieve alone. Ten years later, it has grown to become Minnesota’s leading grief‑support organization, having helped tens of thousands of children, young adults and adults grieving the death or terminal diagnosis of a family member, and reshaped the way many communities understand and treat loss.
“My son lost his father when he was twelve years old,” said Carolyn Kinzel, president and founder of Brighter Days Family Grief Center. “Though I did everything in my power to support him through such a tender time, I frequently found myself wishing society offered greater support to people who are so overwhelmed and vulnerable.
“That wish would catalyze the vision of Brighter Days, where we provide counseling, support groups, wellness workshops, and events to connect those who are navigating sorrow.”
Brighter Days’ mission extends beyond the psychosocial impact of grief. It includes providing logistical assistance, as with legal issues like probate and filing for Social Security. They also offer financial assistance, having granted more than $130,000 to grieving families for expenses such as funeral costs, medical bills, and groceries.
“Ultimately, our goal is to create a better world for grievers – one that preserves their health, relationships, ability to work, and feelings of belonging. Every partnership we share with Minnesota hospitals, hospices, schools, and community-based organizations brings us one step closer to it, added Carolyn.”
Two major milestones have significantly expanded Brighter Days’ reach in recent years. In 2020, the Eden Prairie nonprofit acquired Youth Grief Services from M Health Fairview. The renowned program includes Camp Erin, a powerful day camp for children confronting loss together.
“We acquired Growing Through Grief from Park Nicollet at the end of 2025,” continued Carolyn. “Like Youth Grief Services, the program was at immediate risk of shutting down. Because grief is our sole focus, we are able to give it the platform and stability it needs to continue making a meaningful difference for thousands of students, families, and schools across Minnesota.”
These acquisitions are part of a broader, statewide effort to strengthen grief support. Brighter Days has created a network between schools, hospitals, and mental‑health partners through ongoing collaboration and training; brought Children’s Grief Awareness Day to Minnesota through gubernatorial proclamation; partnered with many major Minnesota sports teams, including being chosen as the ‘Charity of Choice’ by the Wild; and gathered hundreds each year to honor loved ones and celebrate resilience at the Run/Walk to Remember.
“We also launched All Things Grief, Minnesota’s first statewide grief conference, to bring professionals together so we can learn, connect, and strengthen the ways we support ourselves and one another,” said Carolyn. “This year’s conference will focus on collective grief, and underscore the necessity of supporting individual grief when confronted with layered aspects of community grief. Although children’s grief will always command most of society’s attention, a kinder world must exist to help all grievers through their darkest hours.”
The center of that kinder world will be the Twin Cities. “We are currently in the midst of our capital campaign to build our future Grief and Wellness Center,” said Carolyn. “It will be a space for reflection and tranquility, with areas for professional grief and trauma support and training, children’s expression rooms, a large kitchen for coffee and dinner gatherings, a library, a yoga studio, and an attached auditorium for events and training like those currently offered at our Eden Prairie and St. Paul locations.
“Reaching this ten-year milestone is an honor greater than anything I could have imagined. It has been the privilege of my life to witness the courage of grieving children, the resilience of parents rebuilding their lives, and the unwavering commitment of professionals and volunteers who stand beside them. Every life we have touched has shaped who we are today.
“We thank everyone who has helped us put hope within reach to those going through profound grief and trauma. This anniversary is not just a celebration of time, it is a celebration of the belief that healing is possible when people come together with empathy and purpose.”
To learn more, please visit BrighterDaysGriefCenter.org.