Our Books & Bears for Kids Program

We believe every child can be supported through life’s challenges. This program has been designed to help children develop healthy, adaptive ways to manage and normalize their feelings around life-limiting illness, loss, and death.

Our Books & Bears for Kids backpack offers:

a child's book - tailored to their type of loss,
literature for parents/guardians,
and a comfort bear.

If you know of any child who would find benefit from the comfort a teddy bear can offer, you are welcome to contact our office; supportive counselling is available for all members of our community and is not limited to children.

The continuation of this program is made possible through the support of our Community.
In 2026, the Howick Optimist Club graciously made a 5-year financial commitment to the sustainability of this program. Our bears are made available by the generosity of our community through our Annual Teddy Bear Toss, hosted each year by the Listowel Cyclones Jr. B Hockey team.

An individuals journey through their grief is tough,
no matter the age.

Ambassadors of Comfort

Teddy Bears are a tangible item that a child or adult can hold and find comfort in, the nature of a teddy bear itself represents comfort. Talking and working through grief is very hard work and leaves one feeling very vulnerable. The teddy bear is there to hold, hug, cuddle, cry into, or distract - whatever the need be in the moment, and at times is all of those things at once.